Jacksonville Tourist Attractions
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The city of Jacksonville, situated in the extreme north-west of Florida on the navigable St John's River, only 20 mi. from the Atlantic coast, is a major port and industrial centre as well as an important military base.
Fort Caroline
10 mi. east of the city centre is a reconstruction of the historic old Fort Caroline. In the 16th C French Huguenots attempted to establish a settlement in this area. Here too, in 1565, took place the first clash between France and Spain on the American continent.
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
The collection of Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens spans nearly 8000 years with the earliest pieces going back to 2000 BC. The museum was built on the site of the home of Arthur and Ninah Cummer and began with 60 pieces from Ninah's collection. Today it is best known for its collection of early 18th-century Meissen porcelain tableware. The 12 galleries include: the Concourse gallery with pre-Colombian, Egyptian and Roman artifacts, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque work in galleries one through four and American painting in galleries eight and nine.Mrs. Cummer first planted two acres of formal historic gardens in 1903 and then an Italian garden was added in 1931.
Museum of Science & History
A permanent Civil War exhibit, natural history displays and tools to explore the world of physical and natural science are highlights of the Museum of Science & History in Jacksonville. There are a number of exhibits on the ecology and environment of the surrounding region, notably the "Mammals of Northeast Florida" exhibit. Others detail the human history of the area, for example, the life of the Timucuan Native peoples who lived here before the Spanish Conquest. The Alexander Brest Planetarium presents daily multimedia shows and visitors can gaze at the stars or learn about astronomy.
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is home to more than 1,400 mammals, birds, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles live here, some in areas designed to duplicate their natural habitats. One of the highlights of this 89-acre zoo is the "African Veldt," with an elevated boardwalk over animals found on the African savannah such as lions, gazelles and ostriches. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens also offers a petting zoo for children and a reconstruction of an African village called Okavango. It has a free-flight aviary and sits on the edge of the Trout River. Other exhibits at the zoo include the "Great Apes of the World" and the "Seronera Overlook Elephant Exhibit." Visitors can also see some of the zoo exhibits via a half hour long train ride.
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
The Karpeles Manuscript Library contains a large and valuable collection of original historical manuscripts. Most of the library's rare books come from the late 1800's to early 1900's. There are Medical and Science works, History texts, Literature, Anthropological studies, and Religious tracts. The Library also hosts traveling exhibitions. There are seven museums associated with the Library and exhibitions tour from one to another periodically. Some of the most valuable manuscripts in the library's collection include the original draft of the "Bill of Rights of the United States", the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Lincoln and Einstein's description of his "Theory of Relativity".
Alexander Brest Museum
The permanent collection at the Alexander Brest Museum includes decorative arts, pre-Colombian artifacts, Chinese porcelain and work by guest artists. The Brest Museum Ivory Room contains ivory carvings dating from the early 17th to late 19th century.The Pre-Columbian collection represents lost civilizations in Mexico, and in Central and South American from circa 3000 BC to 1500 AD.The Boehm Collection at the Brest Museum include internationally acclaimed pieces from the Boehm Studio. Boehm porcelain has been given as gifts to foreign dignitaries by every US President since Eisenhower.
Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville
The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville is housed in the renovated historic Western Union Telegraph Building. The permanent collection features local and Florida contemporary artworks along with more than 1,000 pieces of pre-Columbian art. The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville also hosts several traveling exhibitions per year in its nearly 30,000 square feet of gallery space. It began as the Jacksonville Fine Arts Society back in 1924 and has undergone a number of incarnations in its history.
Museum of Southern History
The Museum of Southern History contains exhibits related to life in the American South. The museum was founded in 1975 by the Kirby Smith Camp No. 1209, Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV). Artifacts and memorabilia relating to politics, fashion, culture and science are on display along with relics, uniforms, personal items, weapons, flags, and more. Visitors to the Museum of Southern History can also trace their roots in the 4,000 volume research library.
Obi-Scott-Umunna Collection of African Art
Located in Centennial Hall on Edward Waters College campus is the Obi-Scott-Umunna Collection of African Art. Masks, musical instruments, bronze statuettes, carved ivory and many other artifacts represent artistic traditions that have thrived in Central and West Africa.
Ritz Theater & LaVilla Museum
The Ritz Theater is a 400 seat theatre that presents music, drama, and poetry. LaVilla Museum is home to a permanent exhibit highlighting the history of African-Americans in northeast Florida. There is also a gallery containing fine art, folk art, local art and history exhibits.
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
The Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve was set up to protect the historic and prehistoric areas within the 46,000 acres. Explore the fort exhibit from the 16th C, climb a wildlife observation platform, visit the plantation or spend the day kayaking through the marsh.
Huguenot Memorial Park
Huguenot Memorial Park has swimming, fishing, wind surfing, and boating opportunities. Also known as the Big Jetties or North Jetties, birds of all shapes and sizes can be found on shore at Huguenot, in the interior lagoon or offshore.
Jacksonville Historical Center
Jacksonville Historical Center features displays relating to the history of Jacksonville. Exhibits include the Timucuan Indians through to the original settlers and the role of the US Navy in the growth of the city.
Maritime Museum (closed)
ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.Exhibits at this museum focus on the maritime history of the St Johns River and the Port of Jacksonville. There are ship models, photographs and various other nautical artifacts.
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