History Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale (must see)

History Fort Lauderdale is a walk-through history site that feels more like a small historic neighborhood than a single museum building. Located along the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the site brings together several preserved structures that show how the city developed over time. It’s an easy place to explore at a relaxed pace and works well even if you only have a short visit planned.

As the walk begins, look to your left for the Schoolhouse Museum, the first stop on the route. This modest building offers a simple introduction to early education in South Florida and helps set the tone for the rest of the visit. From here, continue straight ahead to the main museum building, the Museum of History – New River Inn. Housed in Broward County’s oldest hotel, built in 1905, this is the centerpiece of the site. Inside, take time to explore exhibits on archaeology, Seminole culture, fashion, and military history, which together provide a broad overview of the region and its people.

When you exit the New River Inn, continue walking and look again to your left for the King-Cromartie House, also known as the Pioneer House Museum. Constructed by pioneer farmer and builder Ed King using local pine and salvaged ship timbers, the house gives a close-up look at daily life in early Fort Lauderdale. Inside, notice the period furnishings, historic clothing, and collections of antique dolls and toys. Continue past the pavilion, an open space often used for exhibits and events, then stop at the Philemon Bryan House, one of the area’s oldest surviving residences and an important early settler home.

The site concludes at the Hoch Research Library, the foremost history center in South Florida. This working research facility houses an extensive collection, including newspaper clippings from 1910 to the present, more than 400,000 historic photographs, maps, and architectural blueprints. Genealogists, authors, and other professionals work here daily, making it a unique place to see history being actively studied and preserved.