Cedar Key Historical Society Museum Reviews

Not great but informative of the history of Cedar Key. Worth the 2.00 dollar admission.Ranger was nice and the old house was nice to see the way people lived there.

The museum is just about the first thing you see here. For 2 bucks you would be crazy to miss it!
You have not been to cedar key unless you see the museum.

This is a small museum but full of history of Cedar Key and old Florida. They ask for a $3.00 donation but it is worth it to tour the museum and learn about old Florida.

Do stop by for a historical lesson on this great town. The curator presented interesting facts, and we met the feisty little dog!

One of my favorite places to visit in Florida. Very cool, laid-back, unique atmosphere, with lots of history and great shops and restaurants. From the moment I drove into this charming small town, I felt almost as if I had driven onto the Popeye movie (1980) set.

This is a small but very well set out museum that is very educational. The staff clearly enjoy their work and are very willing to provide more information/answer questions. It gave a detailed view of Cedar Key over more than a century and had excellent exhibits. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you. Dawn and Neil

What charming staff members! Stopped in on a rainy day. An long-time CK resident gave us a personal tour of the second house on the property. What a lot of information from a first-hand source! I never thought about where my pencils came from before, now I know the history!

This two building museum very well sums up the history of Cedar Key and the companies that ran businesses there such as Faber pencils. One gentleman, a retired doctor, had deep roots in the area, and he was able to say and display much.

Good collection of pharmacy antiques donated by a friend of the museum.

The museum is worth a visit. We had many questions which a very well informed docent answered with great detail. He is clearly knowledgeable and a key reason we enjoyed the visit.

Three dollar entry fee. Walked around and they didn't really seem to have a lot of artifacts but what they had was very informative. Interesting history of the area.

We spent over an hour there looking at the exhibits. It was very interesting and the local people working there added to the experience with their knowledge of local history.

If you are this museum is a must. For a small community, this is a gem. Pleasant and knowledgeable docents that can tell you tidbits of Cedar Key's historic past.

The museum was great! It has 2 buildings to tour. The worker was very knowledgeable and passionate about the local history.

Lots of county and local Cedar Key history! If you are in the area and have a couple of hours to spare this is a lovely place to do it.

Talk about service! We received personalized attention and great information about Cedar Key at both the museum and house next door. They had information to share, and share they did. It was awesome meeting the doctor and hearing him talk about the house he grew up in. The lady at the museum was welcoming, and pointed out information using maps, etc. there. IT was first class service, all for two bucks! There was lots to see. We did not do it justice.

I'm not a museum person but when the person who gives you a tour is the son (in his 80's) of the house owner, it's special.. If you're in Cedar Key, you need to know some history of it. This is the place to see and learn it.

There is an entrance fee of $3 per adult but it's worth it.

Very nice museum with interesting displays. A must see when you are visiting Cedar Key! We thought it was an exceptional value, having paid more for less at similar sized museums.

Even if you don't like history, this is a really cool place. The artifacts, pictures, furniture, stories, descriptions, it's like traveling back in time to island life back when Florida was being settled. Well worth doing.

We had visited Cedar Key before, but this trip we stopped at the Historical Society Museum. We had a delightful visit chatting with, Mary Ann, one of their volunteers. There are two buildings with exhibits and archives highlighting the major industries and events of Cedar Key. Conveniently located across the street from Capt.Tony's, the museum is a very good value at only $3 admission.

My wife and I love Cedar Key and went through this little museum. It was WONDERFUL and really taught us the history of the town! A must-see if you visit this small town.

We visited and really enjoyed this museum. It has some very nice exhibits and was also entertaining. The staff was great and answered any questions we had.

Having been to Key West several times, I always associated railways leading to outer parts of wild and tropical Florida with Henry Flagler. But, I was much surprised to learn the history of the line running from Fernandina Beach to Cedar Key and the important part Cedar Key played during the Civil War. Very knowledgeable and friendly docents...oh and also, some incredibly creepy early dental chairs / drills and extractors that actually made my teeth hurt!

This little museum is right in the center of town, If you're hanging out here even for a day, it's worthwhile to drop in here. Ken was animated and enthusiastic about Cedar key, and answered all my questions. The small $3 admission also includes the house next door. For that kind of money, I'll go again.

Be sure to watch the video in the second building. It was so informative. This little key really has a great history. We have enjoyed our stay immensely.

Nice little gem of a museum. Lots of great displays with tons of information. Take your time and soak it all in. Cedar Key is rich in history. The folks in charge here do a great job. Make sure you donate. It is a museum worth keeping going.

Through artifacts, photos and literature they present a timeline for the community. It was interesting to learn about the railroads and industry that made the town grow. And also learning about the clam/oyster farms is very interesting.

Visited at the end of August after Florida schools were back in session, and the town was pretty dead with the exception of this museum. There were maybe six or eight groups while we were there. I thought the kids might be bored but they actually were interested in learning about the town's history. We spent about 45 minutes here and it was a great respite from the heat.

Interesting displays in two buildings. Information for everyone ~ plenty of information about the area.
Small gift shop area.

Thought it would be boring, but pleasantly surprised. Learned a lot about the area. And how brooms were made there.

Beautiful little house with several small rooms filled with information! Welcome Center attendant was on phone (with political candidate) the entire time. I was able to receive several maps and directions to local historical site.

The price was excellent.The museum has 2 separate buildings.Lots of interesting information on the formation of the town.Many artifacts dating back to 1800's.If you enjoy museums then this is a pleasant activity.Probably will only take about an hour to see it all.

One of the best informative journeys I've had in a small town. They are proud of their heritage and want travelers to enjoy it too.

We stopped by the museum on our visit to Cedar Key in February. We stopped in to see what the museum looked like. You can go in the "lobby" and take a look-see, but if you want to see the remainder of the museum a small fee is required. I would urge you to do that, for the museum is self-supporting, and the exhibits you will see are worth every penny.
Touring that museum will give you a much better appreciation of the Key, and of the men and women who have worked over the years to build Cedar Key into the enjoyable place that it has become. I love their motto about Cedar Key - "It is what Key West was like before it became Key West!"

This is truly a well presented museum for local history. Stocked full of artifacts, photos, one will come away with a better feel and appreciation for the area.

Local history is presented exceptionally well in the this spacious venue! The pride with which the volunteer staff displays and describes the exhibits is obvious. This is a must see place when in Cedar Key!

Quaint collection of miscellaneous artifacts from the history or lives folks of this now low key area. The forests of cedar trees have long since been turned into pencils. The old medical instruments challenge the imagination to think of them in use. The whisk broom manufacturing display was insightful. Various glass cases of curiosities, petrified sharks teeth and such.

This museum is sort of all over the place. Lots of things to read, but very difficult to read with poor lighting small original documents behind glass. They don't go into the pencil industry at all. Just a small case with some old pencils and boxes. We spent about 45 minutes in the whole museum. There is an additional museum dedicated to the fiber industry and brushes made of palm tree husks. That was a little more interesting. It is $3.00 for adults to see the museum. There was no speaker or tour about the museum which may have helped. I think children would be very bored.

There was a lot of history to learn, and an excellent staff. The people here were so kind, and very informative. This is a great place to cool off in the heat of the day.

This museum is one of two museums in Cedar Key. They are open limited hours so check it out ahead of time. There is a nominal fee to enter. Well worth it of course. Give yourself plenty of time if you want to really absorb all the history or at least as much as you can. There is a lot of reading to do so take your reading glasses if necessary. Young children might get bored because although there is so much to read, not really anything to do interactively. Make sure you go out the back door to the second house for the rest of the museum. You will come back into the main museum and leave the same way you entered. The lady at the desk was very nice and just leaves you alone to do your self guided tour. Some of the information we already knew after having done some research on our own ahead of time. But this was very detailed with many original items at each display. Well worth the time.

This is a must see when visiting Cedar Key. Lots of history and pictures showing the history of the area. The Docent was so helpful and fun. We actually met an older gentleman 92 years young who gave us a special tour recalling his days as a youngster in the region. Facinating stuff.

This is a great little local museum put together with lots of love and heart. The narratives are not necessarily connected across the different rooms, but if you take your time you can get a great overview of the island and some insight into the people who have inhabited Cedar Key since the 19th century.

We got a very good idea of early life in Cedar Key from the presenter who was in character as Caroline Hobday, one of the assistant lighthouse keepers in the late 1800s. This is a great first place to stop, along with the visitor center, to get a feel for the real Cedar Key, and some background that will allow you to appreciate the little island even more.

For only a $2 entrance fee you sure can get a lot of history from this well kept charming museum. There are two homes you can walk through each with a rest room and handicap accessible. You receive a couple of very interesting brochures telling you at a glance Cedar Key history in a time line fashion. This little town has some huge history starting at the 1700's. A must visit to understand this amazing historic community. Post cards and books are also available
for purchase. Best $2.00 I spent in a long time. I also bought the Cedar Key Walking Tour Guide Book for $7.50. A great book with over 50 historic sites to see. Spent a great afternoon on a golf cart exploring with my guide book.

For only $3 each what a great history lesson. There were two houses to look through. Lots of information on cedar pencils and whisk brooms which I learned were big industries in this part of Florida. They even had whisk brooms for sale that are still being made with raw material left over when the factory closed in 1952. The docent was helpful and friendly. A must visit attraction when in Cedar Key. We will visit again and we are considering paying the $20 to become a yearly member. It is for a good cause and we plan on going back again. Lots of good books for sale too, I had to buy a couple.

This quaint museum boasts two buildings. The docent in the first building (Charles - I think) told us fascinating tidbits of the history of Cedar Key. Barb, in the second building,clearly explained the manufacturing process for brooms and brushes made from Sabal Palms. Both docents and the displays took us on a pleasant journey back to early days in Florida. Don't miss this treasure!

This is a short, fun, informative overview of Cedar Key's history. The gentleman manning the desk when we arrived was very knowledgeable about local history.

Such a cool little place. It is nice to visit walk around and see some historic information. It was not as informative as I hoped so if you are not a big history person but want to do something that feel educational this is your spot. 20 minutes and you learn something and can move on with your day.

We love this museum and learning about the history of Cedar Key. Love when Dr. Andrews is the tour guide for his home and whisk broom factory.

Interesting clips of the local history, and well done exhibit on Donax-Whisk manufacture. Curators are charming and have a wealth of history in their heads.

We drove down for lunch at Tony's. Saw the museum across the street and decided to stop in. Cedar Key has a fascinating history and this museum puts it into perspective. Worth a 45minute to hour visit....then go to Tony's and have some chowder and seafood!

Very much enjoyed learning of the history of Cedar Key. So much I did not know. Great exhibits and nice staff. Thanks

Good line of exhibits showcasing the history of Cedar Key, the settlers and Native Americans. Well laid out for anyone to understand. There are docents available for answering questions however the docents we met were not quite as knowledgeable as we had hoped and could not answer some questions about tribes in the area. Museum is well worth visiting. One hour should be sufficient for the tour.

Stopped in with friends. The staff was very pleasant and informative. Tremendous collection of the area history displayed. Well worth the $3 admission.

2 little houses with displays about the region from prehistoric times to present day
The volunteer/ ticket taker was full of interesting info about the area.

When in town at Cedar Key this is a great place to stop and take in some of the Heritage in the area....Volunteers are very knowledgeable and fun for kids and adults alike for a learning experience....Cedar Key is a place where time still stands still and Old Florida still means something.

Great knowledge and display of history of Cedar Key. Was larger than what we thought it would be. The locals were very knowledgeable and helpful.

Spent about 1/2 hour going through the 2 buildings of the museum, one had the overall Cedar Key history and the other was the old Andrews home. Love to see the restored homes with authentic furnishings to get an idea of what life could have been like. Lots of interesting information in both buildings. Would recommend a quick stop in here, won't take too long.

This museum is so very interesting and also tells you about the history of Cedar Key. The stories told by volunteers bring it all alive. There is a lot ot see and a lot to learn. A definite MUST TO SEE on the island.

Was hoping that there would be more about living conditions in the home at the museum but it was just about the factories.

This museum has many beautiful displays about life, work and death in old Cedar Key. There are many models, paintings, photo's and newpaper clippings which illuminate the rich history of the area. I especially liked seeing examples of the various pencils and brushes manufactured on the island. We had visited for a quick hour when the 4 pm closing hour caught us. Though we had to leave, my wife and I swore we'd return to discover more about the town during our next visit to the area.

The Muesem is cool for a small town... Cedar key is one of the oldest cities in Fl and its fun to get to know.

Very friendly and informative staff and only a $3 admission! This is a very cute museum with a lot of very interesting local history. Unfortunately there was a woman chatting Loudly on and on to her companion about nothing related to the museum??!! We made a point to get away from her and go on to the restored house (I wish the volunteer would have said something to her... although I could have also - Ugghhh So Rude!) I particularly liked the displays on the wisk broom and pencil industries and the history of the railroad. It isn't very big but has great displays and a lot of information about the Cedar Key that was.

This tiny gem is packed full with CK history and artifacts. Even the building(s) are historical and the museum is well worth the visit!

Recommend making this your first stop when visiting Cedar Key. Lots of information, brochures, maps and other tourist items. Staff is very accommodating and friendly and the tour of the museum is informative as well. There is an additional charge for the tour but worth it.

There is truly a lot of history inside this museum. Nicely kept by the local staff who helps make it even better. Did you know? Well, to find out what you need to know shell out the $3 and head into this historical paradise. This town you will learn was once a real bustling industrial location but it also shows what not taking care of natural resources can lead to no business. Stop by for an interesting tour and allow about 45 minutes.

Take some time to tour the historical museum. The docents were very informative. Learned a lot for only 3.00 per person. Well worth it. Colorful history of Cedar Key

History of Cedar Key is very Interesting. Leaned where the town is now wasn't first place were Cedar Key was. Dr Andrews gave us great history when factory made bristles for broom from cabbage palm trees. Also learned the part you eat is in middle of trunk. The dental equipment his dad used make one appreciate Dentist today.

We went to have lunch next door at Tony's which has THE BEST CLAM CHOWDER EVER! Brought a few cans home with us. Then went to visit the museum. for a small donation the volunteer shows you a map and tells a little history of Cedar Key. Then you are on your own to tour the rest of the small museum. It was very interesting to learn about the pencil factory and whisk broom industry. Would recommend this if visiting.

I learned a lot about the area from the caretaker at the museum. Great place to learn about the life that happened so many years ago.

A small museum loaded with great and interesting history of Cedar Key. Cedar Key was once a very busy and popular little Florida town. Definitely worth the time and money.

We walked into this little museum after clam chowder at Tony's across the street. So glad we did not miss this - friendly docent at the door. Charge is only $3 - many books available for purchase about this historic area. The exhibits concentrate on the local area history from prehistoric times , through Civil War, and into the 1900's. Lots of information on local industry including fishing, pencils and whisk brooms!?! Indian artifacts, hand-created boat models, just lots of information in a neat, small package!

Pick up the self guided walking tour brochure as well. A little pricey at $7.00, but a good guide to a nice walk around the old part of town. Some interesting sights.

The museum is very small, but full of local history. There were several volunteers there with a wealth of knowledge to help make the exhibits come to life. Very nice.

Loved the remodel they did. I was here over 15 years ago and they have done a wonderful job of preserving this area's history.

GREAT history about Cedar Key; the guy whose father started the brush factory lives in the house behind the museum (house tour included in museum admission) and has tons of artifacts

We popped in while in cedar key. It’s a very small museum detailing the history of cedar key from prehistoric to modern day. Typically with small town museums it’s a hotch-potch of items that give an insight into the development of the town. The best thin* was the volunteer staff who really bought the exhibits alive and added lots of extra colour.

The museum's best ambassador is the docent that we met the day we visited. Quaint and simple, yet a powerful remainder of the pioneers of industry and fisher folk that came before.

We were lucky enough to meet Dr John, whose family owned the brush factory. He was delightful. The museum gave us a good overview of Cedar Key's history.

For such a small museum, it provided us with about an hour's worth of browsing. The day started with an oral presentation by a man who obviously loves both his job and the area surrounding Cedar Key. I wish I had bought a book there as a memento.

Very informative. Attendants were extremely helpful. We lucked out and had a personal tour with one of the descendants who told us about growing up in Cedar Key.

Excellent place to visit while in Cedar Key. Learn about the history of how Cedar Key was born and its resilience.

There's not much to do in Cedar Key and that's really the main draw of it. We stopped by the Historical Society to check it out. It was only a few dollars and had lots of interesting information on the history of Cedar Key. It's worth stopping in if you're in town.

This visit is a must when you are on Cedar Key. The history is so diverse and the relics they have is so interesting.

As a first-time visitor to Cedar Key, this museum was a must-stop for us in order to learn about the area. Highly recommend anyone new to the Cedar Key - and a history buff! - visit the museum for an hour or two (though, you could really spend many more than that taking in absolutely all that the museum has to offer!)

There's actually two buildings so make sure you allow time to see everything inside both of them. Note that there's a clean bathroom onsite too, as well as a small gift shop.

After paying our very small admission fee, we had a lovely woman give us a great introduction to the museum and Cedar Key's history. After that, we were free to browse at our leisure.

We'll likely be back the next time we visit Cedar Key to take in more that we may have missed this first time around.

A must-see!

The museum was done fairly well for a small town with relics from the pre-Colonial Indian days and the civil war. Also, the how and who where the key players in the early development of Cedar Key during prior and after the Civil War. There was also very good coverage of the manufacturing and fishing industries as well as the railroad's importance to early Cedar Key settlers. They also had quite a bit on early prominent dentist and doctor families. The charge was a very moderate $3 per person. It is worth about an hour's time to checkout most displays, longer if one if highly interested in the history.

Pick up a copy of the Cedar Key Walking Tour then rent a golf cart for two hours and tour the island! I spent over an hour just flipping thru the newspaper display in plastic shields. Artifacts of shell mounds, railroad, clammers, crabbers, and local politics.
Enthusiastic, knowledgable staff. Modest entry fee.

There is a lot of Cedar Key history here. The gentleman collecting the small entrance charge also gives you a comprehensive history of the trade and railroad history. There is also a house that has been converted to a museum and on the day we visited the gentleman that was there was born in the house and was extremely interesting to listen to. Well worth the time spent here. Plan to spend at least 2 hours.

This is an inexpensive but informative way to spend a warm summer afternoon. We really enjoyed learning about the history of Cedar Key and the industries for which it was once famous. We knew about the cedar pencils but spent an hour learning about brushes made from cabbage palm fibers. It is definitely worth spending a few dollars to help encourage historic preservation.

We visited the first day they reopened after Hermine, but they seem to have done a good job of recovering from several feet of water. The collection relates to local industries and notable visitors (I recommend John Muir's book on his 1000 mile walk), and also includes a house that started small and grew with the town.

A same of life in the early 1800's in Cedar Key along with artifacts from a much earlier period. Quite interesting

Lots of historical info to be found here about Cedar Key and Florida in general. Well worth $3 and an hour or so of your time.

Take the time to stop in and visit. Do the tour and talk to the folks working in there. They are a wealth of information about Cedar Key and the surrounding area, both past and present. We thoroughly enjoyed our stop in the museum.

This was a nice little museum- provides some great background and history of Cedar Key. We found the backstory and history of the palm brushes and pencils industries to be interesting. The folks are friendly and welcoming.

For just a few dollars you can learn of the rich history of Cedar Key. I had two beautiful historic homes to look through. One home was filled with civil war artifacts, Eagle Cedar Mill artifacts, John Muir history, old maps, lots of great old photos you can sit and look at. The other building has great stuff on the Standard Manufacturing Co. whisk brooms and local antique pieces from days gone by. Pick up the Cedar Key Walking Tour Guide Book for under $8 and see all the historic building in Cedar Key. Lots of other great books for sale.

wonderful, small museum, lots of local history, very informed and pleasant curators. a must visit on you journey to cedar key

A well done small museum that does a great job of presenting the local history.

We were very fortunate that Dr. Andrews was present when we toured "the Andrews House". He was born there, and his father was the driving force behind the palm fiber business that thrived on Cedar Key. In addition to making brooms locally, materials were shipped to factories in Europe and elsewhere.

Was able to spend some time asking questions and interacting with a staff member. Wish I could have spent more time. Cedar Key is a relatively small island, but their history is rich with twists and turns thru time.

Self paced or partially guided, you'll learn the significant contributions that Cedar Key (Atseni Otey) had for America and the entire world. 2 Homes / structures, one being a doctors home and apothecary, have remarkable static displays about pencil making, whisk brooms, quilting and economic growth that we adapted from the native americans tribes to present day !

The lady at the desk was super nice and we talked to her awhile. The museum is very nice and organized. My husband and I really enjoyed seeing all of the items and learning about the history of Cedar Key. Love the architecture too.

We had a great time visiting the museum and learned quite a bit about the history of Cedar Key. The staff member present was not able to answer questions beyond information available in the exhibits. Would benefit from having docents (we know COVID-19 had an impact on volunteer availability). We kept hearing about a book to supplement the museum's information, but they did not have any printed/available for purchase. We would also have enjoyed being able to take pictures of exhibits as a reminder of our time at the museum.

This was closed on our first trip to CK, we were delighted to find it open on our most recent visit,,,$3.00pp fee to enter, well worth it, if you want to learn about old Florida and its history including railroad, pencil factory, whisk broom making, this is for you. Many artifacts on display, well informed knowledgeable guides to answer any questions, , go at your own pace. The old house behind the museum, which is a part of the tour, was moved to this location , which the guide we had that day, was present for in person, as the house was moved. Very interesting, for adults, not so much for kids.

A lot of information presented in this charming museum. Make sure you talk to the people who volunteer here and you learn much more. A suggested $3 donation for admission is well worth it. Information about the shellfish industry, pencil factory and broom industry.

You have to search out this educational museum. The Smithsonian chose this museum as part of their traveling exhibit. The hands on displays help you understand what the history of Cedar Key was truly like.

Very informative! Only $2.00! Learned alot about C.K.....fascinating stuff. We had no idea C.K. was so rich in history......John Muir stayed there while recuperating from malaria

Started at the museum, the employee was very knowledgeable, friendly n seemed to enjoy her role in teaching us about Cedar Key. We were fortunate enough to meet Dr. Andrews in the second building, his childhood home. He walked us thru family n their business history. Great way to start our trip n learn more about the key that we feel in love with!

Nice, inexpensive - with enough history and historical artifacts for an hr+ enjoyable learning about Cedar Key. Period house attached which complements the museum material.

The museum houses many interesting items, but the bast part is listening to the volunteers tell stories and explain the history.

Items in the museum span from dioramas to the actual safe from the bank and include ancient medical and dental tools.

i was really impressed with the brush making exhibit and history.

We strolled into the museum and were immediately greeted by a very pleasant woman and gentleman. The female docent answered our questions and made suggestions to what we should see. Enjoyed the self-guided tour immensely.

couldnt get in during normal hours. seems like its nice, seems. 100 characters is a lot to say "closed"

Very quaint and nice facility. Interesting to learn the history of this town of Cedar Keys the town is peaceful and relaxed. We enjoy it each and everytime qe visit.

If you’re looking for a nice thing to do in the mid-afternoon heat this gem is the place to check out. Only $3.00 for adults and children for free, it provides some really good insight into the history of Cedar Key.
I enjoyed learning about the early industry in Cedar Key and seeing the many artifacts that they have on display.
Would be a great place to bring the kids for an hour or two. Easy to reach on 2d Street.

Take a short trip through the recent (european) history of Cedar River in this museum featuring photos and artifacts from 1800s to 1900s.

Awesome! Two gentlemen gave us a verbal tour of all of the Museum & house. They were fascinating and "lived" the History. A MUST see and for only $3 ! Never thought Cedar, pencils & Whisk brooms could be soooooo interesting. That was on top of the Seminole Indian wars and Civil war information. Never heard about Cedar Key's significance until now !

The museum is small, but perfect for a raining day.
A great way to learning more about the Florida days of Cedar key.

This is a great place to spend the day walking around and enjoying the local food. Check out the musiums to learn about the interesting past of the area.

For a really small museum and for only 3.00 it was worth the time spent - but you have to be interested in history or you would not appreciate it. I actually got a few books on Florida history before going to Cedar key and learned a little bit so this meant a bit more than if I didn't know anything about it. The people there were very helpful. For a tiny little place Cedar Key has got it's own history that is interesting.

we come from the northeast, so really dont much about early florida history. this place is a gem for those interested in old photos, artifacts and industry of the area. you can easily spend an hour.....and the fee was 3 bucks!

Enjoyed the history of the island. Realy gives yo a perspective on the changes over time and the remoteness of the island.

Went to see history of town and also dodge he heat- interesting, some cool stuff. The attendants are very friendly and eager to share the story . Recommend - total time is about maybe an hour. Pleasant.

This small museum is centrally located in town so easy to walk to.
Lots of artifacts and information about the local history.
Worth the $3 admission.
It is a self guided tour. The museum attendant was friendly and available to answer any questions.

This is a really cool little museum! See a marathon tooth? Check. Learn how whisk brooms and brushes were made? Check. See ancient pottery and Indian tools? Check and check. For a $3.00 donation, you get access to two houses that contain artifacts and antiques related to the history and economic development of Cedar Key. I loved both the pencil story and the brush story. But, there's more! The docent gave us a little bag to take with us that contained the museum brochures, a postcard, and a pen. Also, if you are as impressed with the little brushes as I was, especially the hat brush, you can purchase one or a set of three right there in the museum. A local man still makes them just as they were made back in the day, using fiber stock that remained when the factory closed.Very Cool!

This downtown museum has a informative and well presented history of the area. The artifacts are amazing--some even from hundreds of years ago. The docents were very friendly and helpful.

This little museum is interesting in that with what few artifacts it displays, it proves that historically, there's been little/nil ethnic diversity in Cedar Key. ANY acknowledgement of that in this museum is minimal, at most. THAT's what's clear from this quaint little place. Artifact and event descriptions seem to give simple, broad-brushed versions of local happenings, especially the brief blurbs about Native Americans and other minorities during/after the Civil War, certainly nothing about the town's connection to the Rosewood Massacre of 1923. The staff were friendly, the place was easy to find and access. Ultimately, it's a 2 dollars' worth glimpse into the past of a sleepy Florida town.

This museum is well worth the $3.00 pp admission. The exhibits are put together very well. They cover topics from Indian artifacts, manufacturing pencils and brooms, the railroad and medical devices plus more. It was nice to learn about the history of Cedar Key. A must stop if you find yourself in the area.

I enjoyed the visit with the host and hostess and was enthralled with the history of this area which we love. Many interesting exhibits and photos. Beautifully presented. Next time we go, I will take my husband and spend more time there.

Family went for fishing and it was going to be raining all day so we decided to visit the downtown area. What a great little find in the center of town and so very informative too. Employees were very friendly and helpful as well. It was truly an enjoyable time and only takes about 30 minutes to walk through.

The history of the railroad and the brushes was really interesting. Very fun museum. Would go back when I have more time!

This museum is a great source of information and history of Cedar Key Past. It is only $2 per person so you can not beat the price for a couple of hours of entertainment. There are many fossils, photographs, old medical devices, locally crafted and donated scale models of Seahorse Key Lighthouse and scale models of shrimp, sponge and fishing boats. They have some great old photos of Cedar Key. History on the Faber and Eagle Cedar Mills which produced the cedar slats (the exterior of the pencil) and the Donax Whisk Broom business. You receive a great pamphlet with a synopsis of the history of Cedar Key going back to 1800's. This alone was worth the two dollars to me. This museum is run by all volunteers and the money they earn goes for upkeep and future displays. We had two buildings to wander through and learn of this islands rich and traumatic history. There are some books for sale as well as pencils, whisk brooms and beautiful sterling silver clam shaped necklace and earrings molded from a real clam and several postcards. Remember the two bucks helps to preserve history so check this place out or just drop by and give a small donation for a great cause.
I have posted some photos. Please note my camera was set with the incorrect year as I am getting a bit historical myself and made a boo boo when setting up my new camera.

The museum was small, yet for the size it provided many interesting local 'treasures'. The staff were engaging and helpful. The most interesting part of our visit happened through our encounter with their story teller in the back building. We were planning to ask him about local broom making; however, when he noticed our attention to the railroad exhibit, he engaged us with fascinating stories about the railroad experience in Cedar Key. Wow, that man really knows how to adapt local history and relate it to the specific interest of visitors. His story telling was actually the best part of our visit!

Learned so much about Cedar Key history. The museum was set up very nice, and would recommend to others. Wish I had gone sooner.

A small museum with some interesting exhibits. When I complimented the quality of a display, one of the docents told me that it, and many of the other displays, were designed by a volunteer (recently deceased) who had made displays at the Smithsonian. When our cell phones had no service, the docent at the desk was happy let us use the museum's phone to call for a cab. Well worth the visit!

Felt like a time-traveler on this one. Such a great host with tons of personal stories of growing up on Cedar Key. Lovely place!

We were surprised by the amount of collectables and antiques in the museum and the varied history from Faber pencils to Donex whisks each made on this small island Wonderful hour spent browsing around Well worth the $3 entrance fee

Stayed here 3 nights. It's an old hotel, but clean and comfortable with a good breakfast included. No need for TV in the room, sit on the porch and enjoy!

Interesting to find out how things were in Cedar Key back in the day, enjoyed reading about the different families that grew up there and seeing the photos

The Cedar Key Historical Museum is a treasure. Throughout the two buildings there are exhibits of Cedar Key history. It was interesting to see how the brooms and brushes were made.

The museum was easy to find and had the whole history of the are. It was very interesting and we were glad we visited

Gave a great overview of the area and how Cedar Key was established. Told of the importance of their clam farms, pencil factory and whisk broom manufacturing. All from cedar wood and Palm fronds there on the island.

Nice museum. Lots of items on display as well as a good selection of old photos, newspaper accounts and historical documents. The house next door also has lots of fascinating items. It is amazing how such a small town has had such a varied and interesting past. Also was surprised to realize how huge the oyster and clam business is still thriving in this small town.

If you are interested in history, the Cedar Key Historical Society has done an excellent job with their museum. Informative, interesting, and a helpful staff. Dog friendly!

IF you want to learn and explore about local Cedar Keys history - don't miss this place.
Yes it does depend upon the expertise of the docent on duty but the pictures and documents are quite entertaining.

You find great facts about a place you never knew before. This is the place of the first Cross-Florida Railroad from Fernandina to Cedar Key. There are some really great pictures from this time at the museum.

Also we all remember and had those yellow Eberhard Faber and Eagle pencils when we were kids...well the industry was here!
The cedar slat saw mills were here, and so were the cedar trees.

Really a fun stop.

Visiting cedar key frequently as a favorite getaway for us, we found it fitting that it would be good to get to know the history! This place is loaded with information, unexpected historical pieces a must do if visiting. The gentleman who greeted us was very knowledgable, informative and very kind. We would recommend this place for everyone from history buffs to families!

I always enjoy visiting the CKHS Museum! there is so much to look at in the museum, especially learning about the clam industry.

The museum consists of two buildings that focus on the history of Cedar Key and nearby islands. Presentation of information and artifacts is engaging. This is a great example of how a small community can support a professional museum.

Incredible how can an area change so much and the importance of the rail. All down to voluntaries who run this interesting place

Had a lovely afternoon learning about the history of Cedar Key. The docent was very knowledgeable and we bought several books and a T-Shirt. Going back in October 2017.

Dont bother with the State Museum. It's the same cost as this one, and is run by the State of Florida, so there is not much to see compared to this one which is run by a Non-Profit Organization and a bunch of local Cedar Key residents

This is the perfect way to spend a rainy day, or get out of the mid-day heat. It's air conditioned, very well lit and there are dozens of storyboards to read through and everything is very well documented

Great for local history and information!! Easy to get around, have ramps if they are needed! Always enjoy taking visitors to Cedar Key.

The staff was very helpful and excited about cedar key. Spent about an hour there and found exhibits very informative about the history of the area.

After the seafood festival we had Cedar key to ourselves and enjoyed exploring the island. The museum was a real find. Well presented and very interesting with artifacts and historical pictures of the Key's history. Must have spent well over an hour there.

Small, very focused, local
Museum. The museum traces the community’s history. Cedar Key is on the Gulf of Mexico, west from I-75 on SR24. A totally off the beaten path, small historic FL community, dating to the middle 1800s. Actually, a very mini Key West feel and atmosphere. The cedar Eagle #2 pencils, originated in the Cedar Key vicinity. The long gone, from the 1850s, cross FL Railroad ran from Jacksonville to Cedar Key. There was limited Civil War action in the area. There are numerous B&B’s plus limited motels. The best restaurant is the Island Room. Plenty of golf carts are available for rental.

This isn't another boring museum. While we were there, a gentleman operating the front desk gave the kids a great interactive story, getting them even more interested in history!

There are some really wonderful items preserved here, including some original Civil War artifacts and other REALLY COOL items from the towns history involving pencils and brooms. Never knew some brooms were made of palmettos, did ya? ;)

Come visit. The price of admission is only $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for kids 6-16. Be sure to look out for the boiled peanut vendor cart! You'll miss it if you're not looking for it!

Worth the $3 admission. Enjoyed seeing and reading the information. Amazing history and great location in downtown.

It takes you from the time the Indians we're on the island till present time and how the railroad put this island on the map.

A very nice historical museum for a town the size of Cedar Key. Enjoyed the museum and learned so much more about the town. Dr. Dan Andrews was our guide and is full of information and historical knowledge.

Small but person there is very knowledgeable about the history of Cedar Key. Very interesting and the owner of the home that you see behind the museum was there to give a tour.

We learned about the history of Cedar Key. Especially enjoyed learning about how pencils are made and why they were made in Cedar Key.

A small museum that gives you a lot of history of Cedar Key. My husband and I found it very interesting. The woman working at the museum desk was very friendly and informative!

We just loved this quiet spot, from the warm welcoming, to the expansive offerings of history, stories, artifacts ... what a treasure !

The museum had a lot of beautifully preserved artifacts. Talks a lot about the local history. There is a very small donation that is required to enter but it’s a must-see.

Admission only $3. The best $3 you will spend in Cedar Key. Great collection of artifacts and history of Cedar Key. Highly recommend.

Free to public and loved seeing all the artifacts within the Museum. Extremely friendly staff and very knowledgeable of the Island. They even gave out free stickers!!!

Very informative and fun to visit and learn more about the Cedar Key area. Volunteers all very knowledgeable. Definitely recommend it.

All the information on the local area is unbelieveably interesting. You will learn more than you could have imagined. Extremely historic area of Florida.

Plan on spending about an hour here. Most everything displayed on a timeline. They also have books for sale here. It wasn’t just fishermen that had peoples interest here.

We spent two hours in this little museum and it passed so quickly. The artifacts, pictures and documentation they have from this area is incredible.

Gave you a good history of Cedar Key. From the Indians to the early settlers. Had a lot of records, some great photos and interesting pieces - furniture, equipment from factories, bank safe, etc.

The first thing you notice is how absolutely friendly the curators are. The man (Dr. John Andrews) giving the tour of the main house was actually born in it so he was very interesting and well-informed. The exhibits were interesting and well-maintained. Maybe not geared to little kids so much.

We had driven an house to go to Steak house, which we waited over 15 minutes and no service. They were busy Finally we decided to walk to the hotel. We always get great service. They are friendly and always say come again.Should have gone there first.But I enjoy over looking the water and steak.

The museum is nice and informative but what sets it apart are the people who work or volunteer there. They have stories about everything in Cedar Key History. Be sure to walk out the back door and visit adjoining museum. It has an interesting history of the early cedar Key brush industry.

This small museum on the history of Cedar Key is worth a stop. Admission is just $2. The exhibits are simple, but well organized. There are artifacts from many historical eras including a few archeological artifacts from ancient times. We particularly enjoyed the exhibit on the broom making industry.

The end of the train line. The hurricane took it out a long time ago. Like going back into early Florida's history. Lot of elderly people were in the building. The pictures and talk were nice.

Enjoyed learning about the history of Cedar Key in this museum with attached residence. The history of the railroad, lumbering, and pencil making was informative and fun to learn. There's always more to the history of an area than meets the eye. Would recommend for all history buffs interested in Cedar Key.

This Museum is not large, but comprehensive for the remote area in which it is located. There's a modest $3.00 entry fee, but it's good to support these historic efforts. The museum is contained in two adjacent buildings, the first featuring a general overview of the history of Cedar Key and proved to be very informative. The second building was a former residence which has been moved to its present location. It features exhibits on Cedar Key manufacturing, mainly whisk brooms, medical history and railroad history. We enjoyed this museum and recommend it to anyone interested in local history.

There is so much history here. A very well done museum.
Tells the story of the key. Lots of displays.

Very knowledgeable staff, lots to see and experience. The museum is full of local historical artifacts and it is located in the heart of Cedar Key. Friendly staff, well maintained, good souvenirs.

So sorry we missed this museum....Not open during the week? Wish we knew...Next visit we will come later in the week.

I visited the museum on a Saturday and enjoyed it. There were two people on staff to answer all my questions. The lay-out of the museum is good. The displays are informative.
I have to admit that I learned a thing or two.
I spent approximately 90 minutes there and could have spent a little more time, but my kids were getting a little restless.

A really neat little museum, definitely a must for visitors to this unique island which has a fascinating history!

Very nice display of natural items (I especially liked the shells) and artifacts. Amazed by the salt kettle out side.

Very informative museum. We had taken a boat tour of the area the day before so knew some of the details. Everything is very well displayed and marked. We really enjoyed it and it only cost $3 per person. It was worth it.

The museum is small but offers a perfect little window into the history of Cedar Key. The space is well curated and easily navigated, organized and logically set up. It is a perfect way to get to know the island a little better.

Located in one of the town's oldest buildings, the Cedar Key Historical Society Museum contains artifacts and old photos that tell the story of Cedar Key's past, when it relocated from neighboring Atsena Otie Island after a devastating hurricane. There is also a section that describes the town's whisk broom industry, that flourished in the 1920s. Dedicated volunteers make sure your visit is enjoyable. Well worth the modest fee. My wife and I have enjoyed several visits and learn new things with each one.

We like museums. This one is only open from 1 to 4 pm, but it was worth the admission price. It includes their main building where the museum is, and a restored house that shows how life was lived in Cedar Key, FL.

Packed with so much interesting history about the once bustling Cedar Key and surrounds. Wish we’d spent more time there!

Very interesting, low key and self guided. Very friendly clerk. Vast amount of interesting information.

Interesting small museum giving an insight to the towns more prosperous days. The volunteer workers very helpful.

really has factual history about the island and its inception . not that big but very educational and the surrounding grounds are gorgeous

This place is worth visiting. We were greeted by two very enthusiastic staff and found inside a nice collection of artifacts from prehistory through the last 50 years. There are two buildings make sure you check them both out!

This is definitely worth the time and nominal charge. The museum and associated house were very interesting and provide a lot of information about the island and its past. Loved the old medicine equipment and the displays of pencil making and broom making.

Great glimpse into the history of the area. Dr. Andrews was on site to give us a personal tour of his childhood home. His presence made the stop 100% worth it.

The museum staff were pleasant and more than accommodating, making sure we knew all there was to see in town and the history of Cedar Key. There was a local resident who had lived and working Cedar Key his whole life who shared tidbits of the history and his life with us. Fascinating!

This is a small museum filled with local history and interesting information if you take the time to read and explore. It is fascinating to learn about the past history of this area - cedar pencil manufacturing, a brush factory which made the fibers from Palm trees, civil war artifacts and if you are lucky you might run into the son of the brush creator who is a wealth of information. So much more...... I really had no negatives, it was a delightful afternoon.

We were well welcomed and given an idea of the place. Very taken with the production of brushes. Had to avert our eyes at the physicians and dentist display:) wish I could have given them the $10 and received the t shirt but they were awaiting their arrival. Guess I just have to go next year

Touring this museum gives you the full history of Cedar Key and is very interesting. It is set up with 2 rooms of exhibits and, additionally, a home from the earlier time frame that was moved from another part of the island. To get the full scoop on this town, make sure you visit the museum on Second St.

This museum is designed beautifully and easy to navigate and keep your interest. I learned so much about the history of Cedar Key, fishing, clamming. The docent who was helping with the tour was so nice and happy to answer all of my questions. Fascinating history here in this little town.

The young gentleman who collects 3 bucks for admission to the museum told me that boiled peanuts were the best thing ever, and the next day I found some wet ones, not canned.
The museum offers Lighthouse Society passport stamps for their lighthouse on Seahorse Island. It's about 3 miles offshore and only accessible a few times a year. So I was lucky to get my passport stamped.
Their artifacts include a vast history of the pencil factory that existed 100 years ago, and Native Indian culture. The Indians were here first, then some white politicians decided those people needed to be relocated somewhere else. That happened all the time back then.
The local history of the States War are emphasized along with railroad history, lots of high school stuff. Somebody donated these, and the museum makes room for all of it.
This site was actually the building that a factory once occupied and the old lettering is still on the door. It's just a typical small town museum.

Made up of two buildings, this small, staffed historic music tells the story of the Cedar Key area with timelines, artifacts, photos, old newspapers, and more. They ask for a $3 entrance donation, have a few gift store items for sale and have some interesting pieces and information.

We enjoyed our walking tour thru the town. Learned alot about the history of Cedar Key. And took our time going thru the old house and seeing the historical objects they have on display. This is a must when you come here.

This museum is in the main down town area of Cedar Key, presenting displays and volunteer explanations of the history of this key community itself. Volunteers were knowledgeable and added to the experience greatly. Price for visit was $2.00. I spent about twenty five minutes there.

We stopped in here during the week of the art festival. My maternal great grandfather was born here in 1864 and I was looking for information. They had no information on him but we took the tour of the 2 buildings belonging to to the museum. The museum is very well laid out and was very informative about the history of the area. The staff which is volunteers were well informed and very friendly. There is a $3 entry fee which we thought was money well spent. If you have any interest in the history of the area you are visiting this is a great stop.

The museum was informative in its display of artifacts but its whitewash of both the civil war as well as what caused African Americans to leave Cedar Key is troubling. There is a mention of the fact that African Americans were the majority of voters and then held positions of political esteem on CK but then within 3 years , mysteriously were gone. The museum does a disservice to all people in not acknowledging what occurred on CK.

This museum has a large collection of newspapers and historical pictures which you can spend almost an hour looking, Interesting facts like over a hundred years ago cedar key had 5000 residents and a large pencil factory among the history of hurricanes here.

Has a lot of information on Cedar Key and the railroad. You can tell the locals love their Cedar Key.

Lots of great information here, about the people and nature that make up Cedar Key. The $3 admission fee gets you into two buildings, make sure to check them both out!

Interesting museum explaining everything you want to know about the history of Cedar Key. The volunteer that gave us the overview presentation was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Well worth the $3 donation/entrance fee.

This was our second visit to the museum. Last one was 10 yrs ago. There was more added to what was previously displayed. The local history is very rich and interesting. We hope that one day they might dedicate a section to the major storms that shaped this community, that elaborates how they seem to revitalize in the face of adversity.
We will be back!

We stopped by the museum as part of the "Way We Work" exhibition sponsored by the Smithsonian that runs for another week (Oct. 19). Very interesting information and we were fortunate in that one of the docents there was Dr. John Andrews whose family founded the Fiber Factory and was born in the house that is part of the museum tour that is located right behind the front museum. John spent a lot of time showing how the fiber processing took place and gave that first hand experience that was so rich and meaningful.

This stop was by far the best history lesson of this area that we could have gotten and all for a couple of dollar donation. The lady in charge (I didn't get her name) could not have been more knowledgeable or helpful. The artifacts were abundant and the history was laid out in tremendous detail. What a labor of love the people of this island made into their history in these two buildings. Opens at 1 o'clock and plan to stay awhile.

We loved this museum. The young lady working - Annie , is a Cedar Key Native. She was very knowledgeable and you could tell she truly enjoys what she does. Great place to check out!

A very net resting museum that filled us in on a wonderful place with lots of history, well presented and with a very a very interesting docent.enjoyed seeing the house that you visit at the same time