John Gorrie State Museum

The John Gorrie State Museum contains exhibits about local history and displays a replica of the first mechanical refrigeration system patented in the United States.

Dr. John Gorrie, who arrived in Apalachicola during the 1830s, developed cooling techniques while treating yellow fever patients and received the first US patent for mechanical refrigeration in 1851.

The museum presents exhibits on Florida State Parks history through historical images, artifacts, and film footage illustrating the preservation of natural and cultural resources over 80 years.

The museum welcomes visitors from Thursday through Monday between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, with an admission fee of 2 dollars per person, while children under 5 enter free.

The museum features recreated medical rooms with original instruments from the 1800s, demonstrating the connection between early refrigeration development and medical treatment methods.

Location: Florida

Inception: 1958

Website: https://floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/john-gorrie-museum-state-park

GPS coordinates: 29.72463,-84.98518

Latest update: March 7, 2025 19:16