Pensacola Museum of History

The Pensacola Museum of History is housed in the 1902 Spanish Revival former City Hall. The museum houses three floors of exhibit space displaying Pensacola’s rich heritage. The first floor, Pensacola: City of Five Flags, provides an overview of Pensacola’s long history from pre-contact to modern times. Suddenly American: A Meeting of Heritage and Country looks at the transition of Florida from Spanish territory to American region, which formally occurred in 1821.The second and third floors offer changing exhibit galleries.

Exhibits

The first floor displays the City of Five Flags exhibit highlighting Pensacola's history as the city of five flags as well as the archaeology and historic preservation that is so important to our city. The second floor galleries include: Textiles of the Times: Regency Era Dress Making; Capturing Shadows: Exploring the Magic of Cameras; 50 Years of the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival , and in the large central gallery, Trader Jon's. Trader Jon's was one of Pensacola's top tourist destinations for decades (1953-2003) made popular by the eccentric Martin "Trader Jon" Weissman. It was a safe haven where young flight students, military personnel, astronauts, movie stars, politicians and local characters could all enjoy a cold drink and the chance to catch Trader in matching socks. The beloved Pensacola establishment was featured in the film "An Officer and a Gentleman" as the bar TJs. The third floor gallery is 2000 Men: Black Politicians and Reconstruction. After the Civil War, newly enfranchised Black men entered the world of politics for the first time. The inclusion of African Americans as not only citizens, but as voting constituents greatly impacted politics in the United States. Impacts from this crucial time in American history are still seen today. Though the exhibit highlights local Black politicians, items on display will enhance the story of overall understanding of the national context. Portraits, letters, and memorabilia will soon fill the third floor of the museum!

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