Forest Capital Museum State Park
The next time you find yourself traveling through Florida's Big Bend territory, partway between the majestic panhandle and the main peninsula, carve out some time for a visit to Forest Capital Museum State Park. Located right on Highway 98, just outside of the town of Perry, Forest Capital is that lovely little pit stop on your way here or there that you never knew you needed.
We stopped in on our way from our home near Orlando to my husband's childhood home in Missouri. Too long of a car ride, you say? Don't threaten us with a good time. We are road trippers, through and through. That said, even the most road-worthy warriors need a potty break and stretch sesh to wiggle the numbness out of our booties, and Forest Capital showed up at just the right time.
A full-scale replica of a 19th century Florida Cracker homestead greets visitors at Forest Capital.
Big E, overjoyed to use the self-stamping station to stamp our passport by himself.
See the Forest for the Trees
If you've spent any time at all visiting Florida's state parks, you have probably seen protected areas of long-leaf pine restoration habitats. These majestic pine communities once covered a vast portion of the southeast United States, including Florida. These monstrous trees, standing 60+ feet tall in vast virgin forests ranged from 200 to 400 years old. Unfortunately, these dinosaurs of the plant kingdom were nearly logged into extinction just after the turn of the century to build the cities and communities of the south. Ever heard of the "heart pine" floors in the old homes of St. Augustine and Savannah? They're made of the inner-most "heart" of these ancient pine trees that dotted our beloved Florida landscapes. The density of that old-growth pine made it nearly impenetrable by insects, termites, and water damage, allowing it to stand the test of time. Wonder how 150 year old wooden homes still stand in Florida's perpetual humidity but your fence rots out after 5 years? You know it. Heart pine.
Well, long-leaf pine is just one of the many species of trees showcased in Forest Capital's museum, which is dedicated to the history of logging and turpentine production in Florida, as well as to the science of Florida's diverse forest ecosystems.
Look at this incredible wall map! The plaque to the left of it reads:
"Each of Florida's 67 counties is represented by species of wood native to that area. The state's abundant moisture and mild climate make conditions favorable for the growth of a wide variety of pant species. Of these, 314 are classified as trees."
Step Back in Time
Once you've had a chance to learn about Florida's forestry and turpentine history, you can head outside to what is my personal favorite part of the experience, and walk through a beautiful, authentic replica of a Florida Cracker homestead that would have been typical here in the mid 1800s and early 1900s.
Don't you just love imagining what life would have been like a century or two ago? I daydreamed the whole time we wandered about, imagining how we would have lived here as a family, the hardships we may have faced, and the simplicity of life at the time in comparison with our "easy" yet complicated lives of today. We absolutely loved the step back in time that this Florida Cracker Homestead offered. In the peaceful setting of the state park, it really was a quiet, serene, interesting escape from the day-to-day grind of contemporary life.
This state park visit is a perfect one to fit on your way about Florida. It doesn't require a full day to experience what Forest Capital has to offer. A couple of hours in the morning or afternoon is all you need to get the most out of this beautiful, informative, and nostalgic state park. We hope you enjoy your visit there as much as we did!
Below are some more pictures of our visit and some basic details on the park. Thank you for reading and happy adventuring!
Our wild girl (gently) holding an Eastern Fence lizard she managed to capture.
Just the Details:
Forest Capital Museum State Park
204 Forest Park Dr.
Perry, FL 32348
850-584-3227
Hours and Fees
Open Thursday thru Monday from 9am-5pm
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Playground and picnic area are free, but there is a $2 charge per person to tour the museum and Cracker Homestead. It's totally worth it!!
Children 5 and younger are FREE
Another great Florida State Park checked off our list!
