The House of Refuge Museum Reviews

Absolutely loved this place! Not only is the view spectacular, but also the drive and surroundings are interesting. The little gift shop has wonderful volunteers that are friendly and know a lot about the history. The museum is a self-led tour and we felt safe even with Covid because we went during a Monday morning and no one was around. Be sure to check out both sections of the House of Refuge, bottom and top. Head outside near the shore to see the huge (and sharp) Anastasia limestone. The view is beautiful!

This small but well maintained museum houses an excellent timeline of native and non=native residents of Stuart FL. The main attraction is the preserved refuge house for sailors and travelers shipwrecked nearby. Evidently this was a fairly common occurrence in the area in the late 1800's.

I read all the reviews here and when I finally found this place I was shocked! I thought I was in the wrong place. The house has been moved to a large parking lot, so it had no atmosphere of what it stood for. Even though I admire what this place was, now it's just a house in a parking lot with a kewlname on it Oh and it does have hours, so it was closed the day I went (Friday around 3:00). Perhaps if I had gotten inside it would have been a different kind of house with historical stuff to read, but I went as a photographer and there just wasn't any atmosphere.

Beautiful setting straddling ocean and Indian River. Great little museum of ship wreck life saving station.

Totally captivating seeing how the Refuge Houses worked and the people who lived in them and saved sailors who ran in to troubles....

The Gilbert House of refuge is the only remaining house of nine created at dangerous spots along the Florida coast in the 19th century to help shipwrecked sailors. It has a museum on the first level and a furnished home on the second level. Furniture is of the period but not necessarily from this house. You can do a self-guided tour or have a volunteer guide take you through. We opted for the guide and he was a wonderful older guy who was friendly and knowledgeable.

The location is a little off the beaten path, but worth the drive. The coast is very rocky and dramatic here with sandy beaches sprinkled among the rocks. There is a wreck nearby offshore that is a popular dive spot. It can be reached from the shore and there were some divers out there when we were there. I would definitely recommend a walk down to the rocks and beach after touring the house,

Parking is a little limited and you have to be careful backing out onto the road, but there isn't much traffic. At least there wasn't on a Thursday afternoon.

There's a small gift shop with very nice items in what was the boathouse. There is also a separate building with restrooms, which were immaculate.

Once upon a time, 1875 to be exact, the coasts of Florida were literally barren wilderness not much removed from the Florida that the Spanish discovered nearly 4 centuries before. The Gulf Stream carries shipping north as it has for centuries and storms drive ships into the shore stranding sailors in the wilds, from death at sea to death on land. To offer “Refuge” to these survivors the state built 10 of these stations, of which this one alone remains (by virtue of its construction and its location). The stations were manned by either an individual alone or accompanied by their family. The Museum is their story, one of boredom, loneliness, heroism, and hardship. It’s a beautiful place, a must see on any visit to the Stuart area.

During a week-long stay in the Port St. Lucie area, we had planned on seeing a number of sites per the brochures found at our resort. While just out for our first exploratory drive of the beach towns and Hutchinson Island we happened upon the House of Refuge site! Very interesting! The entrance is through a small unassuming "gift shop" that was once a boat house, which had access to both the Atlantic side and the river side of the narrow strip of land. The volunteer "guide", a kindly gentleman, gave us a good amount of history and pointed us to the actual House for a self-guided tour. The basement of the house has excellent displays and information, including WWII reports of U-boat torpedoing of ship just off the Florida coast (who knew!!!!) in 1942. The stories of the men and families who stayed in these isolated Houses of Refuge in the wilds of unpopulated Florida seemed unreal in the light of Florida today! The main level of the house was maintained as it would have been in its original day. The story of these Houses is a little know piece of history, at least for those unfamiliar with details of Florida history like us! The view of the Atlantic surely helped picture what a desolate and fierce place this could have been a hundred and more years ago.

Ten of these houses where set up to help in the rescue of shipwrecked sailors starting in 1875. At one time they stretched from present day Daytona Beach to Miami. This is the last remaining of the ten. The tour and displays are the main attraction of the museum but many visitors to the area come to watch the waves crash against the Anastasia Rock formation on which the museum sits.It is also a popular place to watch the sunrise. There is very limited parking.

Very interesting history of how Martin County got it’s start, how maritime emergencies were handled prior to the formation of the Coast Guard, and other local history! Definitely worth the price of admission!

This is a well-preserved piece of nautical history. The story of the house is well told through the displays and there are many artifacts that portray the difficulty of navigating the Florida coast and surviving a shipwreck. My boys, 4 and 9, enjoyed the story displays as told by the children of the house, and my youngest liked the 'mouse hunt.' The view is amazing and you really get a sense of the isolation the caretakers must have felt much of the time.

Older house on the beach with antique rooms inside with the usual artifacts from a much earlier era. What we love is the beach it is located on. Many rocks that make for beautiful pictures when the water is not choppy. Recommend seeing.

We had a guided tour of the Elliott Museum. This was fascinating in itself, but we thought we'd need more, especially as boaters. You can read what others have written, but this place is unique. When these 10 Houses of Refuge were commissioned in the late 1800's, there were only 200 white people living on the entire SE coast of Florida. What a spartan life they must have lead. But they saved several lives. We thank them for that. And we appreciate that Martin County has the last one standing! The view is superb!

Visited The House of Refuge as part of a combo ticket to the Elliot Museum, I'm glad we did. Got to walk where ship wreck savivors along the coast ended up, if they were lucky. The last of a series of houses established by congress to aid people who's ships sank, this museum and its location along the rocky shore makes you think of how aweful it must have been. To think that dedicated caretakers and sometimes their families lived very isolated lives in service to others was a very emotional visit!! Don't miss this part of history

Small museum and I guess I expected a little more because of the reviews. That said it was interesting to see what the people had to endure here in Florida and how they lived in these conditions to be there the rescue of stranded mariners. The views are great and the staff informative and helpful.

The House Of Refuge is a nice historic site on the beaches of Stuart FL. It was built to rescue sailors, who were in ship wrecks off of the coast in the many coral reefs that dot the area. The water breaking on the rocks there is beautiful, as is the view of the water. Well worth the time to visit if you are in the area.

Thought this was the most interesting point of interest around Stuart. Such an interesting, little-known piece of history right on the ocean. The employees were knowledgeable and enthusiastic and it had a great little gift shop.

We recently visited this little Museum while on vacation. And it had great history to learn about, things that I didn't even know existed. The gentleman working in the shop gave my children a scavenger hunt to help them stay interested while we were touring and reading about all the history. They even got a little prize for finishing the scavenger hunt oh, which they loved! But definitely suggest stopping by this Museum if you have never been.

We just attended a wedding here and it was spectacular. The service was just before sunset and many of us stuck around and enjoyed a bottle of wine as the sun went down. (Frankly, it was a little chilly, but that was someone else's fault.)
The folks who manage the Refuge were very kind to let us stick around and they were very accommodating to the wedding party.
Even if there is not a wedding, it's a great spot on Hutchinson Island with a fascinating history and a beautiful present.

We had no idea about the refuge houses that they had up and down the coast, so sad that this is the last one left. Tour "guide" was very knowledgable, had lots of little tidbits to share. Came home with the urge to learn more!

Found this by chance. Was well worth the admission. Extremely knowledgable staff great tour learned a lot of local history and how this are developed

Very interesting piece of history!!
I did not know that there were safe houses for shipwrecked crews along the coast of Florida.
This is also the site of ancient Native American Ais Tribe.

Very beautiful location!! Fun little Day trip.

A small museum showing several interesting stories - first story is that of the House itself and its purpose to administer aid to victims of the numerous shipwrecks along the Florida coast - second story is the ancient archaeological history of the place itself - the third story is that of the pirate named Gilbert - and finally the fourth story is that of its use as a Coast Guard station during WWII when German U-boats were along the coast. Lots of history packed into this place. The docent was knowledgeable, signage informative, and the sea air was great. The House of Refuge would be a wonderful venue for costumed re-enactors!

Neat way to visit the past and learn some unique Florida history. We enjoyed the historical info and displays... and the setting is spectacular. The guides working the day we visited were so friendly and kind.

While visiting our close friends who now live in Stuart the thought this would be fun and interesting. From the minute our guide started (he grew up there) till the end it was great. If all things coastal intrest you then its worth an hour of your life.

Little known history of a chain of "houses" designed to succor shipwrecked sailors along the Florida coast. We found it fascinating, and very well presented.

We enjoyed our stop in the early afternoon. The tour starts with a 10 minute talk with a volunteer docent. The rest is self-guided. Interesting story of the early history of the island. There are stories of pirates, shipwrecks, rescues, and service during WWII. What's not to like. They have exhibits and placards for younger children that are placed at their height. Nice touch. There is not much parking. As museums go this is a low tech, a bit underfunded gem.

This historic building and museum is a tribute to the early years of old Florida.

The museum is filled with remarkable artifacts that illustrate the history of early 19th Century construction and coastal coast guard services.

Enjoy a great self tour or seek the help of knowledge docents.

Whatever you do don't miss the stunning beach, cliffs and sea life not to mention the remarkable views. Enjoy.

We got there too late as they were hosting a private party. So we walked the outside of the property which in right on the Ocean. Interesting story of the Refuge House that was used for short-term housing of shipwreck survivors.

This was such a revelation! Had never heard of this facility that was a precursor to the USCG. Great history, good tour guide, good restoration, & good gift shop. Beautifully perched on a picture perfect dune overlooking the Atlantic!

Museum that serves as a tribute to our coastal history. Run by volunteers who are very knowledgeable and friendly. I was fascinated by how the early settlers served as the emergency support for sailing vessels that sank or ran a ground. They functioned for many years until the Coast Guard was established. Initially visitors are given a guided tour and then are allowed to roam this museum.

Interesting museum about the history of the area. Manned by knowledgeable volunteers, this museum is worth a visit to gain a sense of the maritime background of this part of the coast.

Very sublime location with a lot of history that I sure didn't know about. The display/preservation of items is very interesting... worth taking a stop.

Wonderful place to visit and get a little background info on the local area. Stuart is a hidden gem, the beach located at House of Refuge is called Ross Witham Beach...named after my grandfather.

Beautiful beach, and they give a great tour of the house of refuge. I was not familiar with the story before going. Overall very much enjoyed our time here.

This small museum is amazing. Refuge Houses were huge in the past and I had no idea they even existed. Our guide gave us a lot of information, then left us to walk around on our own. I learned a lot. There is a lot of reading involved so probably not a good museum for children. The landscape and scenery was breathtaking.

We have been coming to Hutchinson Island for years now but never took the time to visit the House of Refuge Museum. This is an amazing place. From the crystal blue water and historical significance to just the beauty of the ocean. This really is one of Florida’s hidden secrets. This is the only surviving refuge of the 10 that were originally on Florida’s coastline. Take the time to learn the history of this amazing place. Worth the effort!

John, our guide was a wonderful Floridian host. He was informative, humorous and great company. Well done and thanks. The Refuge is on a lovely part of the Hutchinson Island coast. Well restored and a nice place to visit after the Elliot Museum.

A must when you are visiting Martin County. Beautiful views and a great location! Be sure to go by for some history!

A big bit of Florida history. Great docents give you a feeling of old Florida. Parking is a little difficult.

It takes about an hour. Really interesting history of the refuge facilities built in the late 19th century to care for the thousands of shipwrecked sailors that found themselves stranded on the Florida coast after its many storms. Wonderful, enthusiastic tour guide and fabulous views of the ocean.

The volunteers were just fountains of information. It has an interesting history and is the only one of its kind you can visit. If you are in the area it is worth a visit.

This place is amazing. Right on the beach and has a cool history to it. However, there is this very mysterious compound to the left of this place. i swore i saw a man that looked like bin laden hiding in this place... Someone should look into this.

This was a great opportunity to learn the richness of maritime history. Sitting right on the beach, witnessing the ocean breakers just outside, gives you a true appreciation of how shipwrecks were not uncommon. The docents are extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

I just love all of the information provided,all the people rescued, the log books with names of real people whose lives were saved, the downstairs, with American Indian tribes i had never heard of intrigued me. AND the VIEW! One of the most spectacular backdrops in all of Martin County for vacation photos!

The house of refuge museum is a very very interesting place to go. The tour takes about an hour and a half and The length of time of the tour is all dependent on how many questions you have and how much information he gets back to you. Nominal fee to get in I believe it's seven dollars but all they take is cash. It is very interesting for adults and older teens but can think the younger kids could get bored.

This is a fabulous spot
to watch the sunrise over the ocean and - because the land is so narrow here you can turn 180 degrees - and watch the sunset over the IntraCoastal at end of day from the very same spot!

Gorgeous coral reefs - watch the tide and sunrise and sunset and you'll appreciate the beauty of nature

This is a great history lesson for your children on what it was like to go to sea in previous centuries. The House of Refuge was a place for wrecked ship crew and passengers. Great to peak the interest of children on our past history and get them going on the road to researching on their own. Great history lesson for all.

I recommend this museum, which is really more of a house and surrounding area on the beach, because it is the actual house that was there (not a replica) and the history of shipwrecks is very interesting. I will say it will only take about an hour to go through, but you can get a ticket that allows admission to this museum and the Elliot Museum, which is a good deal and would take up 1/2 a day if you do both back to back. They are within 10 minutes drive from each other.

Visited the House of Refuge Museum which was one of several on the barrier islands of Florida in the late 1800’s. This Reuge house is the only one left. These Refuges were created when Florida wanted to attract more people to travel and settle in Florida. The only way to travel to the Treasure Coast and South was by boat.. People feared being shipwrecked with no access to water. There was nothing on the barrier islands and people shipwrecked would die from lack of water. These Refuge Houses had keepers who would collect water in cisterns. They provided aid th those who could make their way to acRefuge House. Later the US Coast Guard took over these houses.

My wife and I spent an interesting hour and a half at this well preserved House of Refuge on South Hutchinson Island near Stuart. There is a fee and it cost us $14 to visit. The rock formations in front of the building were quite interesting and like nothing we have seen before in this part of Florida. The most interesting part to us was the stories of the families that came to live there in the late 1800s and early 1900s and keep the watch for stranded seamen. In particular, the story of the shipwreck of the Georges Valentine and her crew was well documented. Numerous artifacts from the turn of the century are on display and one gets a very good taste of what it must have been like to be out there day in and day out for the months of isolation between incidents and trips to the mainland. After the visit we drove the mile or two further south on Sewell's point to a beautiful small beach called Bathtub Beach. Another well worth it thing to do in the area.

This House of Refuge is on a beautiful strip of land on Hutchinson Island, between two great public beaches. The staff give you a short, but informative tour, then allow you to wander on your own.
Highly recommend this stop along the way!

This museum is in a great sea side location and captures many eras of history including: stories of very bad pirates, persevering women and men who used it as their home, and when it became part of the Coast Guard. A lesson for everyone can be found here by those looking to learn about American History. Make sure to wear good walking shoes in case the limited parking area is full and you find you have to do a short walk from a more distant parking area to the musuem. Also there is a fun little giftshop that you may want to shop in with books and other gift type items.

The man working there, Michael, was awesome! He was very informative and knowledgeable. Interesting place to visit, the views are absolutely stunning of the beach where the museum is located. You really got a sense of what it was like for the sailors many years ago, the hardships and "old Florida". I think every school should have a field trip here! Fascinating to see and hear about. Only $8 ($7 with AAA) can't beat it - we were there about an hour and a half. Highly recommend!

The House of Refuge is very very cool to see and the last of it's kind of old world rescue stations/buildings... And there is a neat little museum about the Jobe (Hobe) indians down below and you'll also learn about Jonathan Dickenson's story, which is really quite wild and involves somehow surviving cannibal indians

Oh, if you catch it at a high tide with an ocean swell, there is a blow hole in the rocks...

Such a chill place to go and just get away for the day. I recommend checking it out and the beach has big rocks. Great place to take pictures!

A little bit of history that many people will ever hear about. This was a welcome site for shipwrecked sailors because the coast was unpopulated. There are many artifacts, pictures and a pirate story.

This is one of my favorite spots to sit and relax! I also model by thus location because it is such a beautiful view!

We enjoyed the history of this historic life-saving station. The buildings and exhibits are fascinating.

When travelling we always like to find out about some local history and environment. This tour combined both in the classic "man vs. nature" vein. The tour guide (Tony) did a fantastic job of explaining the general House of Refuge concept (this one is the last remaining of 10 originally along the FL coastline) and pointing out the specific features and facts about this house. At his suggestion we bought and read the Journal of Johnathan Dickinson, a shipwreck survivor who managed to survive with many of his party in 1876 when he had to get from here north to Philadelphia, by boat and foot thru the fall and winter with the added challenges of native Americans and Spaniards who would be potentially hostile to them. Sure to please nautical history buffs!

My wife and I recently visited the House of Refuge Museum on Hutchinton Island in Stuart Fl. This is a great piece of FL history that will open one's eyes to how things were here in a totally different time. Very informative, excellent tour guide, learned things that we otherwise would never have known. Would highly recommend to anyone visiting the area.

Very interesting! Really neat to see and learn about refuge houses for shipwrecked sailors. This is the only one left. Enjoyed visit. Beautiful views. We bought the combo ticket for Elliott Museum too- highly recommend that. They are about 2 miles away from each other. Limited parking though at Refuge House.

Tour can be guided or self-guided. Really learn about early Stuart and the early years of shipping in the area. Excellent job of preserving this peice of history. The view here is also awesome. Be sure to tour the basement of the house and learn all about the Pirate Gilbert.

A nice destination of you want to take a short bike ride. We rode from Hutchinson Shores (about 5 miles one way). An enthusiastic guide who gave us a nice overview of the perils of sailing, and coast guard support for those stranded over the last few hundred years..

This was a very interesting historical tour on how things were done and how things looked back in the 1800s when sailors were being rescued offshore before the Coast Guard days. The refuges were built about 25 miles from each other on the shore, yet this one is the only one that remains. Truly special! Our tour was shortened to accommodate our family since we had a toddler with us, yet it was still very informative and tour guide answered all our questions. Area is stunningly beautiful! Don’t miss this historical treasure!

This place is a really cool must see part of Stuart history.Learned alot,kiddos loved it!!
Not an all day activity, but you can walk the beach after the museum.

The refuge museum is an interesting piece of history - predating the US Coast guard. What happened when a ship was in trouble or on the rocks? Visit here and find out.

A high school freshman, I accompanied my grandmother on our first flight ever-Eastern Airlines 747 from Nashville to change over in Atlanta to Melbourne-bound Florida Express in Feb 1979. My younger cousins, Abby, Andrew, and Alexander and Aunt Teresa and Uncle Albert Porter (bridge contractor) entertained us beyond our expectations! Mamaw Golda Hunt bought her first and only swimsuit and played in the waves the first and only time in her life! Next to the ocean and beach, we loved the House of Refuge! Thirty-seven years later, I brought my husband to the house! We are now awaiting the people's choice announcement to see if either of our artists won most votes, enjoying the juried art exhibit! Those original families really sacrificed to care for others!

Bought this in combo with the Elliott Museum. Out of the way place we had not heard of before. No tour due to Covid, however Brian provided detailed history before we toured the site on our own. Last of the 10 houses of Refuge built along Florida's East coast. Very interesting.

I have been visiting the House of Refuge for decades, and never tire of its historical charm. The raw beauty of its location, and the raw courage of its men saving lives on the reefs and bars is a wonderful living history lesson. The kids found it of great interest, and I just love this place. Support it!

We stopped because we were in town and near by. So glad we did. Learned about the local history and enjoyed the the view. We walked thru the displays. Not great for a senior who might have trouble walking. Cute gift shop. Great place to sit on the porch and rock in a rocker imagining you were one of the ship wrecked who needed a refuge. Great history lesson. You vieiw some indoor displays and rooms of the home.

Don't forget to wander down to the beach for a lovely stroll among the bolders. Not easy for anyone who has trouble walking. You need about 1.5 to 2 hours here.

I have absolutely no idea what the person who posted below is talking about when he says "it's just a house in a parking lot with no atmosphere". ??
He must have gone to the wrong place!

This House of Refuge is on the ocean, above rock formations with crashing waves. It's
a spectacular view. Given the historical significance of the house, I think it's a must-see for all travelers to the area.

I went there in March 2013 and the guide was knowledgeable and interesting, He told us great stories about the house and the caretakers who lived there. They saved lives of shipwrecked sailors and nourished, clothed and sheltered them until they could get back home. While it mus have been a lonely life for the caretaker and his family, they devoted themselves to this task.
It's an amazing collection of historical pieces and it made me love the Florida coastline even more than I already did.

I moved here 2 months ago and plan on taking any visitors I have to see it when they come.

The oldest building in Martin County still stands! So much history and information packed into a small building. A great place to learn about the past and enjoy the beautiful view!

I found this tour more interesting than I expected. I never knew anything about the houses of refuge; there were many, but this one is the last one standing. The history is brought to life by knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers. There were four of us in a group, and our guide was excellent. We not only learned about the house of refuge, but also about the history of Florida back to a time before the Spanish explorers.

Wow! Had no idea about this bit of history. The view of the ocean is fabulous (and a bit unsettling if you imagine a hurricane bearing down).

This museum has a wonderful tour that tells about the shipwrecks and how people were rescued and given refuge. Included for free is a beautiful view of the rocks, beach, and ocean.

This is well worth a visit. Our tour guide was most informative, the artefacts and history are very interesting and the beach is gorgeous. What's not to like?

visited here a couple of years ago enjoyed it so much we brought our snowbird friends .Barbara sold us our tickets and gave us our tour.She was excellent.If you have any interest in old florida do yourself a favor and visit the place

This is a wonderful place for scenic views and a little bit of local history. The rocks and the beach are amazing. It's a great place for some romantic or family photo opportunies.

This is the only House of Refuge left in the U.S. Parking can be difficult during peak hours.
Be sure to go on a tour.

We visited the House of Refuge Museum when we visited Stuart. Lots of very interesting history to read about and artifacts to see. Things are displayed nicely, and there is enough information that you get a real feel for the place, but not so much information that you're overwhelmed. There's a nice little gift shop there as well, and from outside the Museum you have really nice views of the rocks/beach/water.

There are combo tickets you can buy for the House of Refuge and the Elliott Museum and I would recommend both!

This beach is gorgeous with rock formations. It is not a beach for swimming but we took family pics there that turned out great. The house of refuge is fascinating and has interesting artifacts and a colorful history presented by enthusiastic volunteers. The gift shop has nice affordable items as well!

We are seniors from Pennsylvania and had a combo ticket with the Elliot Museum. What a great pair to experience on an afternoon on Hutchinson Island. It’s a little tricky parking because there are not many spots, but the ocean views are stunning from outside the house. Inside the last standing House of Refuge, one finds an earlier way of life. The tour guide was so informative with facts and his pirate stories. Didn’t think I would have spent so much time there BUT I could have used more time. Do yourself a favor and check it out with a tour guide - fun for all ages as you step back in time at Gilbert’s Bar (Sand Bar haha).

It is the oldest structure in Martin County which would be perfect for a wedding, engagement photo!

This is a very interesting place to visit. I'm so glad it was restored and turned into a museum. I didn't even know places like The House Of Refuge existed back in the day. The sunsets across the river are fabulous as well. Be sure to visit if you get the chance.

So much information relayed by our very knowledgable tour guide. A thunderstorm made the visit all the more authentic. Go visit!

Interesting piece of history, could really be made into something great, given a little more respect and care.

The House of Refuge Museum is a great place to visit. History on the Atlantic Ocean going back to the Pirate days and the ships of gold sinking off shore. Enjoy the great beaches.

OK, It's a museum. They have an interesting tour, quaint gift shop and great view. It's on the ocean. Soda but no food unless you like candy. You can see the Ocean, and the River (Intracoastal) and it's neat. I go there at least once a year.

Beautiful views. I never knew that people manned the coasts saving people who washed ashore from shipwrecks. History buffs will enjoy this place. Great example of traditional architecture. Well preserved. One of the most beautiful beaches in Florida with the coral rock beach and crystal blue water. I will return.

For any who are interested in Florida nautical history, this is a gem as its the last remaining House of Refuge of the 10 that used to line the Atlantic Coast in Florida. These were built in the 1870s to provide food, clothing and medical care for survivors of shipwrecks along the Florida coast. Staffed by its professional "Keeper" Linda and knowledgible volunteers, the Museum gives tours of the house and its historic exhibits that cover much of Florida's nautical history including Gilbert the Pirate, shipwrecks and rescues, absorption into the US Coast Guard and Naval Service during the two world wars, offshore German U-Boats, sea turtle rescue and most recently historic preservation. They also host an interesting series of morning and evening lectures during the winter season.

Taken here by friends who have relocated locally. Found the tour guide to be very knowledgeable on the subject. Guess I am not much of a history buff. Price of the visit came as a combo package with the Elliot Museum, so we went.

Before the formation of the Coast Guard there were houses of refuge along the Florida coast. This is the last. It is also called Gilbert's Bar. It is popular for weddings. There is a rocky shore which rivals those further south in Palm Beach County.

The tour led by volunteers was great. We had been to Stuart before and never knew this was here. Be sure to go

Just before lunch at 12A Buoy in Fort Pierce, we covered this place going back in time. Going back to its origin in the 1800’s, this place is a real piece of history. Being a merchant sailor myself, I stood on the deck and viewed the ocean and thought back to “the days” of sailing ships and impending peril for those vessels. With only signal flags to warn ships of dangerous weather or German U-boats in the area, mariners were very focused on what flew on the pole during their transit either North or South.What a service the Lifesaving Stations performed. Most of,this,history is lost on the average person. Sometimes, with only an open boat with oars, these “saviors” braved the wild ocean to rescue a wrecked sailor. The helper/guides were very informative, well rehearsed, and completely professional in their presentation. The artifacts available for viewing and photographing were authentic and a bit spooky when considering how old they were. Very accessible of A1A and easy to get around inside and out. Be sure and study the large steering wheel from the wreck of the “Adonis”. It is wonderful.

My wife and I went there as it was close to where we were staying. We were there on a Tuesday during the shoulder season of August and had the place to ourselves. A docent gave us a private tour as a result and was very thorough. The location and breeze are fantastic and walking the beach in front is amazing. Great way to kill a couple of hours while learning more about Florida’s history.

This was history I never knew about: the Federal government setting up houses to rescue shipwrecked sailors in the 1800s. Take a guided tour if possible. But if not, there was plenty of interesting signage to explain what you are seeing. And beautifully located right on the beach (of course).

Fascinating accounts of how there were houses of refuge all along the coast for victims of shipwrecks. This is one of the few surviving examples of a bygone era. The docents are volunteers who really know their stuff. Worth seeking out and very enjoyable experience

This is not self guided which is awesome because the guide told us so many interesting unknown facts! After the guided portion, we were allowed to continue to look, but our guide was so thorough we only spent a few more minutes on our own. Great for well behaved children!

Enjoyed the museum but really enjoyed the views of the water. The story of the house of Refuge was quite interresting.

This museum is so well done and in a beautiful setting. This is the last of a group of houses along the FL coast to provide rescue and support for shipwreck survivors. Check it out with friends and family. It's just around the corner from the Marriott on Hutchinson Island.

Charming museum, great historical significance. Go on a Monday if you can and request a guide (free). It is much more interesting with a person who has such a passion for this place! You can go back and read all the exhibit information later. Beautiful view!

Interesting visit of a small caretaker's house built in the 1870's in case of a shipwreck along the Florida coast. Our guide did a great job on detailing the history of the local times. Take time to look at the bedrock formations on the beach nearby.

A unique, historical house with a long account of receiving shipwrecked sailors, this is a neat place to visit if you enjoy antiquities. The house is set up to experience what it was like back in 1904 and the basement area contains artifacts of rescued ships. You can casually tour the house on your own and there is a shop attendant to share the background history and interesting facts, as well as answer any questions. Afterwards, you can enjoy the quiet location at your leisure. There is a lovely stretch of oceanfront to walk and a gorgeous view of the river across the road. A great place for taking photographs. A landmark worth the trip! Parking is limited.

This is the last surviving House of Refuge in Florida. At one time there were ten of them along the east coast. We had a guide who took us though the museum. It was a bit rushed. Did not have enough time to see everything. Parking is very tight and limited. The immediate coastline is interesting with the Anastasia Rocks lining its walls.

This wonderful museum is original to seafaring days when there were Refuge spots for boaters who needed a safe spot in a storm. Two floors of exhibits with excellent docents to walk you through and educate about everything! Location is special-on a sand bar between the ocean and a river. Gift shop included. Beautiful porch for relaxing. Parking is a challenge but well worth the effort once you arrive. Historical and very interesting.

The oldest surviving building in Martin County. Built in 1876. Limited parking just off the narrow drive-by road. Some visitors also parked on the grassy swale up the road. Entrance is through the gift shop, where the $7 admission fee is collected.

I caught up with the group the guide was leading through the museum in the refuge house basement. Interesting exhibits there, including a time line going back to the paleo-Indians. The guide also led us through the house proper upstairs with its period furniture, much of it dating back a century or so.

Well worth a visit.

Very interesting place to visit.....nicely preserved original structure from the houses of refuge. Takes less than an hour, local volunteers give you a guided tour, cost is about $8-$10......if you go on-line you can get discounts for going to House of Refuge, FL Oceanographic and Elliot Museum as a package. It's a nice way to spend an afternoon. Not an absolute WOW! But worth the small donation.

Local history of Martin County and Florida. Local Volunteer guides give their input into local history. Amazing that Martin County has one of the few House of Refuge for ship wrecked sailors. The people/families that manned this Houses were amazing. Young children might be bored, better for middle school age and above, great for history buffs. Good location for local photos. Parking is limited.

One of those places for a short visit but you learn a lot of history about marine wrecks and rescue in the days of sailing vessels. Good for kids and anyone who likes history.

You get the history on the operation of the House of Refuge which was dotted along the east coast of the U.S. This is the only remaining house left. This is where shipwrecked sailors would find refuge after a storm.

My Army Staff Sergeant son & I visited during his off time. Military visits FREE. Yeah!

The staff was extremely pleasant. The tour was filled with dates, locations, government officials & procedures. Enlightening!!!

Must See!!!

Take a look at the native garden which was created and maintained by the Martin County Master Gardeners. You will enjoy learning more of the local history. If you are in the area in December the house is decorated for the holidays and gives you that 1800's time period feel.

This was something that we never knew of until we visited the nearby Elliott museum. This is a wonderful piece of Florida history. A nice depiction of life in the Refuge house. It is situated on the water and had lovely views from the porch. A nice museum.

I think this is the last remaining of the series of "houses" that were built to help rescue stranded people/crews from shipwrecks along this part of the eastern coast. If you get one of the volunteers - dressed in period clothes - he is really good; however I cannot remember his name. The people at the place when you call will know who he is - has long time family connections with the area. House is furnished pretty well with period pieces. Not lots of parking. If in the area for Elliot Museum, you are nearby anyhow; nice change from an indoor activity to the outside locale of this place. Too bad the turtle hatching here had to end.

We enjoyed touring the house, which is very small, just a few rooms. The $7 entry fee is too high for the size of the display, and since they were setting up for a wedding across the entire front of the house, it detracted from our view. Very, very hard to park... just a small lot on a very busy road and filled mostly with beachgoers. No spaces when we went by, but once we drove further on and turned around, one spot had opened up. Otherwise, it would have been a wasted trip down to see it with no place to stop.

Fascinating history of the houses of refuge; the pirates of Stuart and the Coast Guard. Our docent was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. Although I have been to innumerable lighthouses on both coasts, I had never heard about the houses of refuge that populated the southern coast of the US. Great history lesson. Well presented exhibits - just the right amount of detail.

This little museum is chuck full of interesting coastal history. Patty, you did a great introduction and set the tone for our visit. Beneath the porch, in the old horse stable, you get an education on early indian residents and the history of the 'refuge' station. Just imagine being the 'keeper' with your family, weathering the storms and collecting the shipwreck the survivors. Inside the house are the furnishing of the period; very simple items that are now antiques. Learn about ships/freighters that were sent to the bottom by German U-boats. Quite a lot of history in this little house!

An interesting museum. My six year old grandson enjoyed himself. He was kept busy looking for things on his Bingo list. He really liked finding mice hiding in the rooms.

Visiting the House of Refuge Museum was such a treat! We never knew there was such a thing, but there were once ten of them, helping victims of storms at sea. We got to see the home of the keeper and his family and learn about his duties, And the basement is a fascinating museum. Plus, there's always the pirate Gilbert to learn about....

Visited the House of Refuge yesterday and had a very interesting tour with George! What incredible history of Florida as well as history of the last remaining House of Refuge for shipwreck survivors. Really takes you back in time! Would recommend for all ages. Special tour activities for young kids. Quite a bargain at $8 per person ($7 for over 55). Beautiful spot on the ocean.

Fascinating history here in the only preserved "house of refuge" which operated in the late 1890s early 1900s as a refuge for shipwreck survivors, Definitely worth the visit and I recommend taking the docent tour.

This is the oldest house in the county. It is also a small museum that honors the lifesavers who lived in this sparsely populated area of Old Florida. The house has been maintained and the rooms are decorated "of the time". It is expensive at $8. I wasn't given any information about where to start the tour of the museum and waited around the outside of the house. About 10 minutes later, I saw that some people were exiting the building, and I knew that it was open.....I had checked the door before, and I thought that it was locked. I bumped into Bob, who was giving a tour to a group, and what I heard was very interesting. I wish that I had been told that there were tours given.

This is the only remaining House of Refuge on the east coast. People used to be rescued from stranded ships in hurricanes or ship wrecks. The house is just like it was in times it was still used. A great piece of history to learn about. The surrounding area is gorgeous. There is a gift shop too!

Fascinating place, well preserved historical building. In expensive.
I didn’t know anything about these places, built to rescue seamen after a shipwreck.it’s a delightful place o sit in a rocker and watch the ocean.
There is a beach, with a carved rocky shore next door.
A quiet beach.

One of the last remaining houses of refuge. This well presented museum offers window on the Treasure Coast that existed before developers.

This little piece of history is a hidden gem. It is the last remaining historical outpost for wearly seamen in times past. It is a an amazing unique place filled with local hx including that of the local indians. The piece of land the hand is perched on has one of the most incredible views overlooking the ocean and intracoastal from above. I highly recommend to visit this interesting but small museum. IN addition the tour guide are helpful, knowledgable and passionate about their job.

Not only is this a great little venue fir a history lesson but also an awesome place to host a beach wedding or event. Not a lot of parking but it was worth the wait for a spot. The gift shop has a great quaint selection of items too....a hidden gem!

So much history that I was not aware - the people who lived in these houses of refuge had to walk the beaches for miles every day to search for survivors who washed ashore from sea wrecks. It was a lonely life, but so necessary with the reefs and storms that caused havoc to seamen.

Genial, knowledgeable, dedicated guy at the cash register providing background before your self-guided tour of this former haven for shipwrecked sailors. Lovingly restored interior showing how the "keepers" and their families lived. Artifacts in the lower level going from Native American to WWII, with sea-turtles thrown in. Interesting documents, from newspaper accounts of shipwrecks to the keepers' own record-books. A unique bit of history (the last surviving house of its kind) in a beautiful spot. Probably not great for LITTLE kids but older kids would like it.

We researched a few places in the Stuart, FL area and this one sounded interesting. Do not be disillusioned when you arrive by the small size of the couple of buildings. What is contained therein was and is very fascinating. In this stretch of FL, the Life Saving Stations, which pre-dated the US Coast Guard, were not established because there was essentially nothing within 100 miles. But, there was concern for mariners who ships were impacted by the Gulf Stream that pushed them close to the shore and onto some of the reefs, where the ship would break up. This museum is the story of how these survivors were rescued and cared for. The US Coast Guard was not in this locale until the start of WWII. A 5 minute drive off A1A.

What I love most about The house of Refuge is its surroundings. The story behind this museum is interesting as The House of Refuge and its lighthouse was there before Hutchinson Island was connected to the mainland by bridges. It has housed and helped many of the sea turtles in past years. My son had his first glimpse of a Loggerhead at this location. I take many photos of families and pregnancies on the rocks (coral heads) behind the House of Refuge. These coral heads provide protection for this piece of history. It is the best of both worlds with the ocean on one side crashing over the rocks with water spewing straight up in the air and the intracoastal on the other with its sunset and water fowl. Its a special spot! It is located on McCarthur Blvd where this street deadens at Sailfish Point, an elite ocean, river, and inlet surrounded property that was once owned by Mobile Oil and Harvard. But that's another story…...

I enjoyed my visit to the last standing house of refuge. The keeper, Jim gave us the history before we did our walk through. Stewart was our tour guide who was very knowledgeable. A must see to learn about part of the florida history. A+

We had no idea Florida had created 10 houses of refuge to assist the shipwrecked with food, water, clothing after the loss of their vessels. Due to the building deep in material called Anastasia rock formations this one is the only one left intact. It had to be moved to save it so it is not all original, but it is a great example and representation of the awful hardships of being a house keeper. At one time two lumber ships broke up a day apart and the house was filled with the survivors. It saw use by the Coast Guard in WWI and WWII. The living quarters show the sparse existence of the keepers, at least the kitchen was in the same building as the dwelling space. The shoreline is very rough but the trail is fascinating with all the plants marked. There is a lookout tower on site built in WWII. We got a personal guided tour which really brought all the history to life. Great stop.

House of Refuge Museum is the last of a chain of refuges along the East Coast of Florida for shipwrecked sailors. Allow about 1 to 1/2 hours to visit. Make sure you take the tour, as the guides are quite knowledgeable.

If you are a bit of history buff and like learning new things this is interesting. The purpose of these stations and how they were manned was something I never new. Good variety of items from the past and the docents are very knowledgeable and friendly. Also the admission can be bought as a dual ticket to the Elliot museum in Stuart, definitely can do both in the same day.

I had never heard or read the history presented at the House of Refuge. This is a TRULY FASCINATING visit, and a must for people interested in the histories of Florida, the sea, the last two centuries, or the Coast Guard. Our guide was a trove of information. DEFINITELY GO!

This is an awesome historical site where the rocky beach is gorgeous and the House of Refuge still stands tall over one hundred years. It is well worth a visit.

I've driven by at least a hundred times and finally checked it out! It was so interesting and sweet! I would recommend! I enjoyed taking photos and just imagined what it must have been like those many years ago.

Alot of wonderful history is packed into this small museum in a great location on the Treasure Coast - and you can go to the beach immediately before or after because it is right on the beach! Reasonable entry fee and nice gift shop too.

The House of Refuge Museum provides a rare opportunity to see a piece of history that one might not even think about while walking along the miles of beaches along the eastern Florida coastline. As the only remaining house of refuge left of the ten, you get to learn about the history of a house of refuge and how it differed from a lifesaving station. The House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar was one of the original five constructed and has been standing since 1875.

It costs $8 to enter the museum. One thing to keep in mind is that if you plan on visiting the Elliott Museum as well, ask for a combination ticket which costs $18 for both sites and will save you a few dollars. This museum also offers a $1 discount for military, AAA and AARP members. There is limited parking next to the museum. As long as there is not a big group it shouldn't be a problem. They are also open everyday from 1000 to 1600 Mondays through Saturdays and Sundays from 1300 to 1600.

You purchase tickets in the gift shop which is an old boathouse. One of the volunteers then escorted me over to the house and the first floor. He provided a quick detailed history of the place and what to see. I was then able to tour both floors on my own and at my own pace. You are also free to take as many pictures as you want.

The first floor has several displays that describes both the history of the region as well as the house of refuge system. It is chronologically laid out, starting from when the Native Americans who settled in the area to when this building became a museum. I would recommend spending as much time as it takes to view each of the boards and displays, as well as watch the short video about one of the many shipwrecks in the area.

The second floor is set up as the keeper's quarter's as it would have looked like back in 1904. There is a kitchen, bedroom, parlor and dining room that you get to view, with informative boards telling you about the history of that specific area. Once finished inside you walk out the back onto the back porch that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Out back is also a WWII observation tower that is a reminder of the building's not too distant history. You can also walk along the rocky beach as well, which gives you a sense of what it was like for the old keepers who had to walk miles back and forth looking for shipwrecks.

If you are interested in learning about the local history, whether that be the house of refuge system to a sea turtle project, I would highly recommend visiting the House of Refuge Museum. Little kids might not be too interested, but for young adults on up there is a lot of interesting facts and artifacts here that will engage you.

Who knew Florida had a rocky coast? Well here they do & you'll learn how a pirate used that to his advantage. You'll also learn that the west coast of Florida used to be much much bigger. Charming little museum is the last of the "houses of refuge" that were built for shipwreck victims along the east coast of Florida in the 1800's We paid 7.00 apiece to get in on a beautiful March morning. A docent takes you around to see some ancient Florida history & then some more current history. Pirates, history of lifesaving stations, the original Floridians, surprise they were not Seminoles! Florida during WWII, all very interesting stuff. Cute gift shop, limited parking. Check it out.

Interesting historical site for those who can appreciate the sea and what it took to sail in the early years. Shipwrecked sailors could count on those who lived in these homes to rescue them in what was at that time the Wilds of Florida...

This sturdy wood homelike structure was built in 1875 as one of the string of Refuge Houses. These buildings were spaced along Florida’s ocean coast to accommodate the frequent shipwrecked crews who made it to shore. By 1915 the Coast Guard operated the house. In 1942 the wooden lookout tower was built to watch for Nazi U-boats. For $7 you can tour this landmark; the only Refuge House remaining. Our guide John was very knowledgable. The basement has exhibits about the history, and then you tour the cooking and living quarters for the superintendent and family. Period furniture and artifacts, such as original Edison cylinder records are there. The shipwrecked sailors were boarded upstairs. There is also a nice gift-shop. This was a fascinating and enlightening tour through Florida history.

See the way life used to be, when lighthouses were your guide to where you were traveling. If your vessel sunk, this is where you would come to recuperate. This is an interesting, small museum that you'll enjoy seeing. Very interesting exhibits.

This visit taught us how ship wrecked people were rescued and cared for. It is the last remaining of Florida's House of Refuges. Be sure to see the map that shows how many ships have wrecked along the coast of Florida. It is an eye opener. Nice to see the canon that shot lines out to distressed ships, too

This historic site has been kept "as was" as much as possible and the guide makes history come alive as he/she tells of the sinking of the ships off shore and of the men who came to this property for shelter and food. It is right on the Atlantic Ocean and the waves frequently bang against the reef in front of this place, creating great photo ops. The old photos are amazing in the amount of history that is told through them . . people of all ages would enjoy this amazing place.

Visited the outside and read the placs...but inside was closed. Interesting history being one of only nine shelters for ship wreck victims in the 1800s.

What an exciting history preserved at the House of Refuge. Our tour guide was very knowledgable and loved the history he was sharing. The beach the House is on is one of the most beautiful on the Treasure Coast.

This is the last standing Life station on the coast. Small and tiny the history it carries is enormous . If these walls could talk . You learn the Reason for it being placed where it is and so much more. A must see when visiting Martin County.
You can also rent it out for a intimate seaside wedding and reception.

I go here every time we get company from out of town. The historic tour is very interesting. Artifacts and articles cover the time from the AIS Indians until World War II. I enjoy bringing a little picnic lunch and sitting on the rocking chairs on the porch and looking out at the ocean and the reef that sunk many old ships. It really gets my imagination going.

As a child growing up in Martin County, the House of Refuge became our “hide and go seek” place with the family. The rocks along the coast became an excellent area to hide from the seeker.

The House of Refuge is located on the road through Indian River Plantation and about a mile north of Sailfish Point and Bathtub Beach. The Ross Witham Beach is located at the House of Refuge.

The enjoyment of the House of Refuge is knowing the historical significance of the area. The “oldest” house in Martin County, the Refuge is the last one standing of ten that were built to provide shelter for marooned sailors along the coast. Built in 1875, the building symbolizes a by-gone era when maritime shipping along the coast was king.

There is a tower which was built in 1942 to spot ships that were sunk by German subs off our coast. The Germans were quite active in the area and there were many dark nights along our coast.

A big treat as a child growing up was to see all the turtles that were rescued. Once a year, the rescued turtles would be released into the sea and it became an annual event. In a large pool, “Charlie,” could be viewed as he was a gigantic Green Turtle. In 2004, the Refuge was forced to stop rescuing turtles as it was not a designated environmental center.

Panoramic pictures can be taken of the rocks and the House of Refuge. Arguably, it is one of the most photographed spots in Martin County.

The Museum is open at 10:00 thru 4:00 PM, with hours on Sunday starting at 12:00 PM. Currently, the price of admission is $8 dollars. It is well worth your time if you have any interest in Maritime and local history.

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See how the shipwrecked survivors were taken care of and who the caretakers lived on the island. My family and I have been going over the the House of Refuge since 1954. My grandfather was one of the Coast guard Aux. who worked there during WWII scanning the horizon looking for German UBoats.

Recently Lynn and I and friends toured the House of Refuge Museum. This is the only one remaining of 10 houses along the Florida Coast that were used to give shelter to folks, sailors, etc. that needed shelter from storms, etc. There are excellent docents who will take you through the house. One was actually the last keeper of the house. Our guide was very good. This wooden house is in good shape and a fun place to explore. There is minimal parking if you are visiting in a group.

It is a nice historical stop. It also offered a beautiful rocky backdrop for some beautiful pictures for my daughter that she used for her senior pictures. Parking is a small area. It is a well protected beach stop. The watch tower is also fabulous.

Tells visitors about the need for Refuge Houses to aide shipwrecked survivors. As recently printed in The Stuart News (8/12/2013) due to the dead wildlife and marine life in the St Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon apparently due to the released of water form Lake Okeechobee presenting a confirmed present of blue green algae also known as cyanobacteria. Based on this it has been indicated that use of the waterways (fishing, swimming, boating, etc) should be avoided.

Beautiful, rugged setting. The volunteer docent that took us around was passionate and informative. A great place to visit.

We received a wonderful tour of this little house and learned so much. It is the only refuge house still standing. Shipwrecked folks could find safety and lodgings there. Many had to be rescued from the sea. In the early days they used horses to patrol the beach and help shipwrecked individuals. Pre coast guard the dwelling is small but the stories are compelling. The beach is beautiful behind this dwelling and I enjoyed walking along the beach and thinking about the folks that used the refuge house . Well worth a visit!

This is a simple local museum, but the setting is magnificent and it tells the story well of the early lightkeepers and their challenges. Also a good summary of the general area's history before it became a tourist attraction. The staff is friendly and helpful and there is a good collection of books of local interest, esp. history.

This is an interesting historic property located on a bluff on the beach. It really shows how and why people lived here and is an important property. They do weddings there and if you like going to the beach you should definitlly stop by.Small kids would not be particularly interested but the beach alone will keep them occupied.

This is just a really neat place. On days when the wind is from the west, or the ocean breezes are very light, it's one of the most beautiful places in the State.

Our guide very informative and friendly. Had many great stories to tell and related the history very well. Amazing displays of archeological history plus the business of live saving.

We were there on an exceptionally windy day which only enhanced the experiece as we imagined what it must have been like to have been stationed and live alone with just one's family for the job. Knowledgeable and interested docent. Friends who have visited that area for years and finally moved there a year ago had never been but took us for a nice outing. Nice gift shop/book store. It was hard to back out of the parking spot into the oncoming traffic. Not a good outing for anyone with mobility issues.

Love that place and feel the respect for the lives of survivors. Is an important place to learn the american way of thinking up front with future problems. Managing bad situations means taking care of it before is happened and this historical place is all about that.

What a great place to learn about the days before lighthouses. The view is sensational and you learn about the early days of the treasure coast.

My wife and I visited the House during a recent stay in nearby Jensen Beach. We enjoyed it very much. The "Refuge" was part of a coastal life-saving system formed in the 19th century before the creation of the Coast Guard. The building is actually a moderate size house that was occupied by a Keeper who, with his family, was responsible for rescuing crews and passengers from ships that came to grief on this stretch of the Florida coast. The house is furnished to suggest how the Keeper and his family lived at the time. There is also a small museum in the basement. The guides are extremely knowledgeable providing more than just a canned talk. In addition, there is a nice beach nearby, while the Anastasia Reef offshore is quite interesting in itself.

This is an interesting place to visit. You won't need too much time here. About an hour. Pair it with the Elliott museum for a whole day of fun.

Wow, who knew that tucked away in this property was so much to see & learn. Thank you to all the Staff & Volunteers for unfolding the stories laid bare at this site.
This really is a must see. Go.

With its stunning location coastal the House of Refuge is worth a visit for the views but the history is as fascinating. We were very lucky to have a tour with a very knowledgeable volunteer who gave the place three dimensions with descriptions of the people, building and the hostile local environment, especially in the early years of the refuge.
A memorable visit. Thanks.

i was looking forward to going after reading reviews. i don't get it. view? what view? talk about a quick stop. if you are driving by and want to stop in, it's worth it. the people who work there are very nice. but don't go out of your way.

We stopped in and took the tour. $.00 admission per senior. The guide made the tour very interesting with much information about FL, local and maretime history. There is a small gift shop and a restroom is available.

This is an old lighthouse keeper home in Stuart and it is very interesting. It is a very small house, but they have turned the basement into a nice little museum of all interesting things from this area in Florida- including a good history of the people that lived here through time. There are various artifacts there that are very interesting and well-explained also. The upper part of the house is set up as it would have been in the days when it was used. Very authentic and interesting. I would certainly recommend this as an interesting stop if you are in this area.

This is a very small but very cool museum. It allows people to understand what it would have been like to have lived on a barrier island a hundred years ago. The setting is lovely and the staff knowledgeable and courteous.

The museum itself is pretty small but still a great place and very informative. I grew up coming here and take my son here now. The beach is always emtpy and a beautiful sight. Great fishing too

Next time you’re in the area I can recommend a stop at the last remaining house of refuge on Florida’s East Coast. It was originally built to rescue shipwreck survivors. Staffed with a lone Keeper + family, he would patrol the beaches to gather survivors. Then, it was the only building on the barrier island. It later became US Coast Guard Station #207. During WW II, the tower was used to spot German Subs as Gilbert’s Bar house of Refuge was located between two top secret bases.
Open M-Sat 10-4 and Sunday 1-4.

The House of Refuge is (one of?) the last surviving refuge houses along the FL coast. Situated on a picturesque section of the shore it contains mementos of its earlier purpose as well as exhibits of recent artists. local guides are very friendly and helpful. Enjoyable short visit along the island.

This place is a must if you go to Stuart for any reason. Historical old house still stands with a look out tower, and old furnishings to see what it would have been like to live at this home pre-electricity. Stunning, and inspiring, and the perfect place for history buffs to visit, and then take a stroll on the beach.

This museum is well worth a visit. Much more so than the Elliott Museum. Staff were lovely and very informative. Beach nice too. Can snorkel or dive a wreck right beside the museum; sea state permitting.

This unique museum is actually located on Hutchinson Island, which is about a 15 minute drive from Stuart. It is a small property that will only take about an hour for you to see. But, it's very unusual and interesting and is a great way to kill an hour. There is a combination ticket that you can buy for $18 that will also give you access to the Elliott Museum, which is a mile away.

Unfortunately, on the day I visited, the docents were busy with a summer camp field trip so I had to take the self-guided tour. However, the signage on the outside of the property was excellent. It was informative and interesting. There were originally 10 of these houses built and this is the only one left. The idea of a formal program along the coast to assist shipwreck survivors is not something you will learn about anywhere else and it is really fascinating. There are old photos, artifacts that have been found, log books and other items to see. The actual house has been restored on the first floor. This allows visitors to see what the living conditions were like for the "keepers" who ran the houses. I would definitely recommend this place. Tip: There is very little parking. So, either go early when they first open to snag a space, or be willing to park at a beach parking area down the road and walk up to the museum.

The last house of refuge on the coast, for shipwreck sailors when Florida was wild, is now staffed by enthusiastic volunteers -- the only downside, they can tell you more than you want to know, eager to share their knowledge.

We live close to this museum and take most of our guests there for a nice 1 hour visit. There is always a knowledgeable docent here you provides a history of this small house that was used for coastal rescues. Well worth a trip if you are in the area.

A great rare piece of history! The only remaining house of refuge on the east coast. Good explanation of life and the ship wreck history along the Florida coast.

The House of Refuge is the last remaining shipwreck life-saving station on Florida's Atlantic Coast. It was built in 1876. Downstairs, the Museum exhibits life-saving equipment used over the years and you can read interesting details about all the shipwrecks registered by the keepers. On the first floor, you can visit the keeper's quarters circa 1904 (four small rooms). Unfortunately, for safety reasons we cannot visit the dormitory (top floor) where rescued shipwrecked sailors slept.
This part of Hutchinson Island is wild and beautiful.

This is located off the beaten path. It is associated with the Elliott museum and is located about 2 miles or a 5 minute car ride from the main museum. You can buy a combination ticket to see the Elliott and the House of Refuge museum. I think that is the best deal. You can coordinate for a museum staff member to drive you over and back. It was a good deal and very convenient. I would recommend going to the Elliott first and then the House of Refuge. You could drive yourself but there are very few parking spaces at the Refuge. The house is the only one of the original 10 houses built by Florida to helped shipwrecked people along Florida’s east Coast. You enter through the house by the small parking lot. The staff was very friendly. The entrance house serves as a ticket booth, a waiting area and a gift shop all in one. The small set of structures is located right on the beach and offers a lovely view. They have you start at the third house where a volunteer shows a movie and then describes more about the history of the people and the structures. The next house has individual rooms that describe each period in the history of the house. Overall, it was a very nice visit to a structure that is key in describing the true initial Coast Guard history.

Step back in time to visit the only surviving House of Refuge. The house is in great shape,and the guide gave me an insightful tour about the people who manned these lifesaving houses and their charges. The views are stunning, and I understand they host weddings.

True old Florida and its greatest form. Isolated walks on the beach beautiful scenery beautiful water a must ...

Besides interesting history of the House of refuge, location is unique, as it basically covers area from ocean to inlet, since barrier island is so narrow here. I expected heat (visited in July)to be more of an issue than it was, but definitely a warm place. Docents know the facility and obviously showed pride in the museum. Collections are interesting and help explain and give a sense of life there.

I loved spending around 30 minutes over at the beach at The House of Refuge Museum. The beach actually reminded me a little bit of Blowing Rocks Preserve in Jupiter but even more beautiful. I felt like I was on a beach in Rhode Island or Maine! It was very relaxing and since I admit that I also love birding and wildlife photography, I saw 2 willets and sanderlings on the beach! Definitely worth the trip and one of these days, will venture inside the museum as well.

The history of the house of Refuge is amazing. It has weathered many storms and hurricanes and still stands tall today. When you enter the house, there are many different specimens of the sea o view. The stories of shipwrecks was interesting.

Lovely place for a beach wedding! Nice outdoor canopy for reception. Parking is a little limited. Lot's of history here.

I recommend the Refuge museum to all visiting friends! A must see and nice beach in front to boot:-)

A little museum but what a lovely history behind it ! A spectacular view on the sea for great picture and for unique wedding. A must see and visit.

This is such an interesting place to visit, and it played such an important role at the time in the coastal history of Florida and what developed into the Coast Guard.

It is so interesting to learn about the past shipwrecks and how the govt. built these rescue dwellings for the survivors. This little museum is situated on the beach/ocean along the most scenic roads in the Stuart area. It is wonderful how they preserved this one and I love visiting this museum and taking my friends.

This museum was very unique for us. We had never heard of houses of Resue before. Wonderful depiction of an era in Florida history. It is a must visit site. You will be facinated by a "rocky" coastline. Very unusual for Florida. It is a tribute to a people who saved the lives of many.

What a great education into coastal history, the coast guard, the way they lived and why they were there --- just awesome

Didn't get to go to museum cause they were painting and honestly were not interested. The beach is lovely, it has amazing lava rocks and seashells. Pictures came out really good. On the other side of beach is an amazing dock which is for fishers but pictures are amazing.

Stunning ocean views, company was great...our tour guide was fantastic. Oh the view was fabulous. Wished I could have spent more time right there. It's definitely very interesting.

However is has an interesting history as a place of refuge for shipwrecked sailors and worth a visit. We also found the coast fun to walk along the cliff (about 8 feet high) and if not careful on a day when the surf is high you can get soaked. There are crevices and holes through which the waves love to thrash though and the unwary can get wet.. The walk itself is picturesque and at low tide you can walk on the sand below the cliffs. There are also long stretches of beach to swim and further down you see some homes that have had the foundations washed away from all the hurricanes.
Parking during high season is hard to find.

Good stop of with lots of interesting info on the way to Bathtub beach. Free admission if you purchase tickets @ the Elliot Museum.

Bring lunch and enjoy the million dollar views in the rocking chairs on the porches, ocean on one side and the Indian River on the other. Fishing is also available on the river dock and in the ocean. Parking is limited. If you are a resident of Martin County the Blake and Hoke libraries have a free pass for four, on a first come, first served basis.

Really interesting little museum of the lifesaving and maritime artifacts on the island. There is a beautiful watchtower with an amazing view.

There are huge coral like formations (from tube worms of a rare variety) that make large caves and arches for the waves to crash into when the surf is up.

Really beautiful ....be careful parking and pulling out. There are just about 8 parking spots along the road.

Enjoyed the walking tour. The guide really knew the history of the place.. They took their time and did not rush us. Cool place with allot of history. Fun place to visit on the weekend

We visited the Elliott museum first and they offered us a discount ticket to the House of Refuge museum which we took. At a preset time we waited outside Elliott museum and we took the Mini Van to the Refuge House, and the driver was very chatty and knowledgeable and we had had a great conversation. The Refuge house is very well preserved and it was really interesting to walk around the grounds and the inside. There is also a film constantly playing in one of the buildings explaining the history which was very interesting. I would recommended everybody pay a visit

The Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge is a unique piece of Florida's history. A must see! The museum is located along a pristine stretch of beach and houses many interesting artifacts. Jim the caretaker is very knowledgeable as he is friendly. Bring your camera!

Learned so much while we were here! Very informative, a little pricey for the short time you are there. The beach here is absolutely beautiful. It is rocky but there are sections where you can get in the water. Beautiful area worth checking out.

Was surprised that they use to have houses of refuge for shipwrecked sailors. Really enjoyed seeing the old house right on the ocean and could imagine how thankful the sailors must have been to have a place to recover if they'd a shipwreck.

We visited this museum on the last day of 2015. And great thanks to Ms. Linda at the gift shop who took time to tell us so much!

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Question: Refuge from what?

Answer: When Europe "discovered" these parts in 1565, natives called the "Ais" lived here. The two did not get along so the natives got wiped out. No survivors. Then, in the 1800's wooden sailing ships “discovered” the Anastasia rock formations and storms of the Florida coast. See Photo 1. Many ships sunk. Sailors often could make it to shore. Only to discover the remaining natives - mosquitoes, bears, gators. No drinking water, nothing to eat. Many lost their lives on shore before they could get back to civilization. Bad kharma?

And that is how the House of Refuge came to life in 1876. It was a US survival station with a cistern full of fresh rain water and a caretaker family with supplies to keep the shipwrecked survivors alive until they could return to civilization. See Photo 2. Was that water or whiskey?

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Caution: parking problem. The museum is on a thin ribbon of land between the ocean and the intracoastal. You will pull into a parking spot with dunes inches from your front bumper and the edge of the road inches from your back bumper. The problem is backing out onto the road. See Photo 3. The driver cannot see oncoming traffic in the northbound lane. I did volunteer spotter duty for some folks trying to pull out. And then, another visitor did spotter duty for us when we were leaving. Thanks! How about some driveway mirrors? Or a better parking lot?

Hey Folks, this museum is just a few small wooden buildings on the ocean with parking for a dozen cars. It is the only remaining “Refuge”, just sitting on the beach getting worn away by salt, winds and sands. Maybe you, my reader, might visit before this last House of Refuge is gone forever?

One of the last remaining houses of refuge on the US east coast. Restored and preserved it is a lasting testimony to the life saving efforts for those survivors of ship wrecks. Located on uninhibited barrier islands, such houses were kept with fresh water, food staples, clothes, cots so stranded seafarers could sustain themselves until help arrived or they gained the strength to go to the mainland. Knowledgable guides share interesting facts and stories about the history surrounding Stuart's Hutchinson Island House of Refuge. Bring your beach shoes and camera...a lovely reef and a nearly uninhabited stretch of beach to walk.

Nice simple place to relax. Interesting history. Tight parking but you don't need to stay long. Beach is clean and cool rocks on the beach

My husband served in the Coast Guard so he was very interested in this old Coast Guard Station. The website is true to the house. I doubt that you would be here for more than an hour so I would suggest that you buy the dual admission and also go to the Elliot Museum which is a few minutes down the road.

Love to come here especially for a shore dive on the Georges Valentine Wreck on calm & clear days. Beautiful rocky formations in front of the facility. There tends to be a lot of garbage on the shore - so please bring a bag & help clean up a little when you visit.

Beautiful place and great history! Absolutely worth the trip :) Take your camera for some great photo ops.

We loved our visit to the House of Refuge. We never knew houses of refuge were created along the Florida coast. This was an interesting way to learn more of Florida's history. The most shocking history was from era of World War II. My sister and I were both shocked. We are so glad the House of Refuge has been preserved.

Museum was interesting and a quick visit. The best part is the shoreline! There are many holes in the rock formations that form spouts of water when the waves wash in. Nice sunset across the street. A must see even if just for the beach

Walked to the House of Refuge with a friend on a cold and windy day, looking for refuge. We had a tour guide Linda, very knowledgeable of the history of the area. It was a very interesting historic site. Very well done with stories of the keepers of the Houses of Refuge, actual photos and documents, histories of ship wrecks, activities for childeren associated with exhibits. I will take my granddaughter there when she visits next year.

This house of refuge was built in 1876 and is the oldest building in Martin County, it is also the last remaining House of Refuge in the State of Florida and one of the few remaining in the United States. A treasure to see particularly if you enjoy history and understanding the pioneering spirit of our country. If you love beaches it is an incredibly scenic spot with some of the few "rocky" areas in this part of Florida. Very photo friendly.

The cost was $8 per person and the added tour guide included in the cost was completely worth it. I had no idea how much history sat in the house. There was lots to see inside and outside of the house. Beautiful pictures could be taken with breathtaking views of the ocean and the river. I recommend checking it out and having someone show you around the place.

It's a very small little house with not a lot to see and not a whole lot of information. I definitely wouldn't call this a museum. We didn't think it was worth the $7 pp to get in.

My husband and I love historical things and we were going to be in the area so we had to stop and see the house of refuge. It is on a section of rocky beach that is so different for Florida, but it is in a beautiful spot. It was a self guided tour but there was a lot of storyboards to read, there are also a lot of artifacts in the basement to see. Well worth the trip to see.

A rather simple display and only took 15 minutes to see. Probably ok for kids. Grounds need cleaning for some trash and dead plants.

If you want to understand Florida in its earliest days, you'll learn how tough it was from the late 1800's going forward until the railroad began to modernize Florida. Interesting, well informed guides share a compelling story of the Florida coastline and The House of Refuge during the Late 1800's and early to mid-1900's. You won't forget this tour and will certainly appreciate your modern lifestyle!

Very interesting history of the only remaining House of Refuge left in Florida. Originally built by the US Treasury department for shipwrecks along the coast and then later used during WW 2 by the Coast Guard. This is our greatest treasure on the Treasure Coast. Continue South on MacArthur Blvd and spend some time at beautiful Bathtub Reef and Beach. Great snorkeling !

I visited the House of Refuge with a friend. It was a very interesting place with a lot of history. There was a gentleman there who provided us with a lot of interesting information about the violent storms that brought refuge to so many years ago.

A piece of history well worth the visit. the rocky coast and the fishing area on the river are both a must see.

I love taking visitors here. The little known local history of hardy people and rescues are quite fascinating. The WWII intrigues are also quite surprising, There is a cute gift shop with a local theme and volunteers eager to explain all.

If you are planning an ocean side wedding you should visit The House of Refuge. The ambiance is quiet stunning and historic. The location is just above the beach so your guests are not walking in the sand and there is an unobstructed view of the ocean. There is a museum on site as well as a lighthouse. The Marriott Resort and Marina on Hutchinson Island is just down the street where your guests will find lovely accommodations. Because parking is very limited, the Marriott serves as a staging area for your guests and shuttle services can be arranged. There are a couple of things to consider though. One is weather. The June wedding we attended was steamy hot and when the clouds opened up we were left standing in rain water. The second is pests. Have repellant available for your guests. I was eaten by mosquitoes. With careful planning, a lovely wedding is guaranteed at this scenic location.

Very interesting place. Learn how the refuge took care of sailers who’s ships were caught in hurricanes. Actual refuge just the way it was left. Very interesting visit.

A thoroughly enjoyable experience. I will return because I didn't have time to read and examine everything. The volunteers there are wonderful. I can't remember the name of the gentleman in the gift shop but he was a wealth of knowledge and very welcoming. This is a welcoming place. Our docent guide was named, aptly, Stuart. He was enthusiastic and patient with questions. He gives you an overview of the house and then each room and then encourages you to sit in a rocking chair and enjoy the breeze and the view for as long as you like. As you leave, you are invited to sit in the gift shop and ask all the questions you like of both gentleman. I highly recommend this treasure. Please note that parking is tight and you have to back out into a narrow, curvy road. Use caution, but it is worth it!

Our Guide was awesome. My teenagers were so excited to learn about the history in the state of Florida. This little house has so much history , it is amazing. My teenagers were so intrigued about this house and its History. Bring your camera and take lots of pics, the view is amazing and the people who volunteer there are awesome.

We took several friends that were visiting from Michigan. They enjoyed gaining a bit of historical trivia about the origins of Hutchinson Island and the rescue of the sailors who were shipwrecked in the early days before modern technology. It does not take long for the tour, but I think it gives you a good impression of how difficult life on the island used to be.

A very well-preserved Rescue station, from the days before motor lifeboats and aircraft, they were established for rescue and sheltering of shipwrecked sailors along the Florida Coast. Nothing flashy fancy or high-tech, which makes it all the better. You can see the history of the many shipwrecks in the late 1800s and early 1900s, as well as living quarters for the stationkeeper and family.

The director was excellent on the tours, I tagged along with a middle school class, it was fun.
And she put me in touch with a local diver as a buddy, so we dived the remains of the schooner Valentine wreck off Refuge beach, and she came out in her kayak to guide us!

De

This is the only remaining House of Refuge of the 10 built in the 1800s along the southeastern coast of Florida along the Atlantic Ocean. They were built to help save survivors of shipwrecks. This one was built in 1876 and was operated by the US Lifesaving Service until 1915 when it merged with the US Coast Guard, which operated it until it closed in 1945. It is now a museum which tells the history of the House, the Keepers and their families, with artifacts and pictures about that era including the WW II years when tankers were being torpedoed by German submarines. There are guided tours of the house, which is open daily until 4 PM. There are other activities such as historic lectures.

Admission is $8 for adults and there are AAA and AARP discounts . We used an Enjoyment book coupon which allowed for one free admission when a regular admission is paid. The hsuse is located east of downtown Stuart--take SE Ocean Blvd. east, crossing the Intracoastal waterway onto Hutchinson Island. At the traffic light at MacArthur Blvd. go south for a little more than a mile. There is free parking near the museum.

we saw two families getting family portraits taken here. the beach is rocky so it's more of a place to walk than to lounge and go in the water. the museum is a must but it's small so it will be a quick tour.

Worth visiting, friendly tour guides and interesting history. Great views of the ocean, make sure to visit the lower level of the museum.

Being proposed to here makes this landmark hold a special place in my heart in addition to its historical significance. The view is simply breathtaking at any time of year. The museum holds some interesting artifacts and is definitely worth checking out for nautical and history buffs.

Be prepared to spend an hour reading about the history of how the Refuge staff saved many sailors who ended up on the shore of this barren, at that time, island. Amazing stories. Visit the Refuge station house and read about ship wrecks, including American vessels torpedoed by German U Boats during WWII. Many people may not realize how close the war was to the US east coast.

This was one of the many rescue stations along the Florida coast run by volunteers who provided a safe haven for sailors during bad storms. Fascinating in that this museum has maintained records of the times past in our history.
The ocean views are pretty wonderful too.

Went for the first time this week. We were the only 2 in the gift shop, the arrival point for the museum. Jim, the keeper, patiently told us the story of the buildings and the history behind it. It was easy to tell he loved working there. After his story, we were free to self-tour. The buildings are well labeled. It was exceptionally lovely to sit on the rockers on the porch and take in the view. I only wished I brought a thermos of tea to drink. Even the gift shop had some well priced, unusual items for sale. Definitely worth it. We will be back.

A very well kept house and surroundings depicting life in rural Florida at the turn of the century. Very interesting information and how the homes were aligned along the coast.

The Refuge Museum, with it's tower (and light), makes for an interesting photo adventure, but the rugged beach has a natural attraction that is not found further north along the Florida east coast. There are countless rock formations, some fairly large, that provide spectacular views around high tide and especially when the surf is rough. We were fortunate (if you're there for photography) to have a 30 knot wind and eaves crashing over and into the rock formations. There were even a few small "blow holes".

A wealth of history here. Good tour guide, Wendy, gave us a broad scope of the history, geography and future trends of the area. Learned more about the inhabitants of the area including the native Indians, pirates and the rescues. Well worth seeing!

We toured the house while being sheltered from a giant storm; Quite a coincidence huh? We toured the house and loved every bit. The volunteers are the most friendly people I’ve ever met and they really love their jobs!! The prices in the gift shop are extremely cheap and contain good souvenirs! The view is spectacular!!!!!!!

Two adults visited this museum on a Saturday in early December. Took us about two hours including a ½ hour guided tour (we tend to read everything). Your time may vary. We had no clue about the Houses of Refuge in Florida in the late 1800s/early 1900s before touring the museum. Part of the predecessor to the current US Coast Guard service. Lot of interesting displays in the museum. The guide was very knowledgeable.

A combination ticket to visit the Elliott Museum in Stuart FL can be purchased at a discount. If you have time only for one, the Elliott is much more interesting.

You need about an hour to explore the museum or take a guided tour for detailed info. Museum as a refuge house.

So beautiful. Never have seen anything like it in Florida and lived in Fl. my whole life. So peaceful, love to watch the water hit the rocks and think about nothing but peace.

The people who took us on the tour were very knowledgeable and interesting. You can stay as long as you like and the view from the refuge museum is awesome; ocean to one side and the Indian River Lagoon to the other.

We were at the place for a fantastic weddingparty. We got a tour in the museum: very interesting to hear and see about the history of the refugié house. Amazing to realize how fast Florida has developed since then.

We had planned to get to House of Refuge in time to enjoy the museum and beach BUT the beach was so spectacular that we did not make it to the museum. We wandered the coastline enjoying the water and the breeze. The rock formations are phenomenal. This is a great place for photography trips.

Beautiful area. Very nice guide that tells you about the place.

Step back in time to the turn of the century with a visit to the House of Refuge Museum at Gilbert’s Bar.
Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge, Martin County’s oldest building, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974.
The House of Refuge at Gilbert’s Bar is the only remaining House of Refuge. Built as one of ten along the east coast of Florida, it is the oldest structure in Martin County and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

This is a great spot to take in a little Stuart/Treasure coast history.Beautiful picture spot as well.

Such a cool spot along bath tub reef... the drive out along the island and the cool little museum are well worth the exploration.

I absolutely love the rocks! Both sides of the street offer unique and beautiful landscape for exquisite photos! I'm a wedding photographer and am always excited to shoot here!

Wanted to come here last year but didn't have time but made it this year with my Daughter. Beware it is very easy to drive by this place on a very small and narrow road. Even be more careful backing back onto the street to leave. Some cars go fast.
This place is on a quiet strip of beach with beautiful views. The watch tower is cool and the rocks look awesome. There were only 2 people sunbathing in this area. We took some nice pics here which I will publish. I would definitely go here if you are in the Stuart area and enjoy the history and views.

Great place on the ocean for an interesting bit of history. We're never heard of the Houses of Refuge created by the government to help stranded seafarers in the late 1800's. The tour was very nice and our docent was able to answer most of our questions. We got there late in the afternoon just before closing so we were not able to go back and read all the information that was posted around the house but I'm sure they would have let us come back the next day had we asked. If your a history buff, especially nautical history you will enjoy this place.

the House of Refuge is a Stuart Landmark. a Museum based at an old mariners rescue lodge. Preservation is great and the location is excellent. However if you are expecting more the visit will rate just as average. Yet for what it is please consider visiting to appreciate Stuart rich history.

What a dedication these pioneers had for the love of the Sea & each other, they kept watch for sinking or shipwrecked boats and / or stranded persons. Peaceful & Informative. Don't miss a chance to learn about this piece of history. Directly on the ocean, Rocking chairs on the shaded porch.

We were surprised about how much we learned about Florida coast history. Though relatively small we spent an enjoyable hour plus in the museum and it's grounds, plus there is a small gift shop.

We felt like this was someplace we had to see to understand the history of the ocean travel around Florida. Worth the visit.

We liked this museum as it tells history in a easily understandable manner. There are always guides around which can answer your questions.
In a part of the museum the prehistoric history of Florida is told. We did not know before that the sea level was ones three meters lower and there fore Florida was one third larger.
This museum is connected with the Elliot Museum. Combined tickets are available.
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Learned some Interesting history about houses of refuge, receiving a great tour from the guide. Beach, with waves crashing on the rocks, made for interesting photography as well.

A tiny museum dedicated to the people who rescued shipwrecked sailors and gave them a house of "refuge" from the elements. There is a guided tour which although nice, is not needed. You can explore on your own, and it's only a small museum - so plan on under an hour. The beach with crashing waves on the rocks is a must see! Well worth a detour!

They were busy setting up for a wedding when I arrived but despite this I was warmly greeted and offered a personal tour around this small museum.

My guide for my visit was a volunteer. A very knowledgable and friendly chap called Tom. We started my tour on the terrace area with me sitting in a wooden rocking chair and Tom telling me more about the history of the House of Refuse, the local area and some great stories. It also turned out that he had traced his family history back to Yorkshire UK, so as a Brit we had something in common.

The House of Refuge is a small museum but well laid out and presented. Without a guide it probably would not have been as interesting and a short visit - with the wonderful TOM my visit took on a different twist and his stories and local knowledge made for a very enjoyable visit. He knew EVERYTHING about the area and the history of the House of Refuse and the Treasure Coastline.

Turns out Tom also volunteers at the Elliot Museum where I decided to go next on my trip.

$8 entrance well spent. Thanks TOM!

Is a small place, surrounded by a gorgeous beach. It reminded me of California. You can take great pictures here, specially when the sun is starting to set. The place has a little store adjacent to the museum. The staff is very nice and helpful, I thought it was a little price, being that is such a small place. It is a part of history that remains intact.