The Barnacle Historic

The Barnacle Historic State Park

HISTORIC COCONUT GROVE HOME ANCHORED ON THE SHORE OF BISCAYNE BAY INVITES GUESTS TO REMEMBER A SIMPLER TIME

Hours

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Wednesday. Closed Thursday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Fees

$2 per pedestrian or bicyclist; ages 5 and under admitted free.

See all fees

Location

3485 Main Highway
Miami FL 33133

Get directions

Contact Info

305-442-6866

Welcome to The Barnacle Historic State Park

This beautiful house with a whimsical name dates back to a simpler time. 


Built in 1891, The Barnacle offers a glimpse of frontier life during the Era of the Bay, when all travel to and from Miami was by sea. Situated on the shore of Biscayne Bay, this was the home of Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of Coconut Grove's most charming and influential pioneers. Munroe preserved the forest on his land, cutting out only a winding buggy trail through the hammock — barely wide enough for one vehicle. As a result, the property contains many large, old trees.

Left in its natural state, The Barnacle Historic State Park appears much as it did in Munroe's day, complete with replicas of two of his sailboats: Egret, a 28-foot (8.5m) sharpie ketch designed in 1886, and the Flying Proa, designed in 1898. The Barnacle is a great place to enjoy simple pleasures: an outdoor concert; a picnic on the lawn; walking with the family dog down a tree-lined path; or rocking in a chair on the spacious front porch and watching the sailboats go by.

Plan Your Visit

The Barnacle - picture of the front of the building
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Manager's Message

During summertime in the Grove, things slow down a bit but there's still plenty to see and do at The Barnacle. We have many events that welcome residents and visitors for a taste of history and entertainment.
Shakespeare in the Park
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Shakespeare in the Park

The mission of the Florida Shakespeare Theater is to promote literacy, culture and a passion for the arts through free performances of the works of William Shakespeare. Florida Shakespeare Theatre is dedicated to bringing live theater to the public in a beautiful environment.
Spirits Along Path
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The Haunted Ballet

Each October since 2015 in the week before Halloween, visitors to The Barnacle enjoy an enchanted ghostly guided tour through the darkened park, encountering beauty and magic along the way.

Experiences

Birding
Birding
Geo-Seeking
Geo-Seeking
Picnicking
Picnicking
Tours
Tours

Amenities

Accessible Amenities
Accessible Amenities
Historic Site
Historic Site
Interpretive Exhibit
Interpretive Exhibit
Museum
Museum
Pets
Pets
Restroom Facilities
Restroom Facilities

The Barnacle Historic State Park Photo Gallery

The Barnacle
The Barnacle
The Barnacle Upstairs
The Barnacle Front Lawn
The Barnacle Live Oak
The Barnacle
The Barnacle
A view of a lizard on a rock.
Barnacle Front
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History of the Barnacle

Ralph Middleton Munroe, a widower from Staten Island and first Commodore of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, initially designed his home as a simple bungalow and named it "The Barnacle" because he thought the shape of the roof resembled one.
Barnacle and Boathouse
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History of The Barnacle's Boathouse

The Great Miami Hurricane of 1926 destroyed the original Boathouse and its contents. Devastated by the loss of his life’s work, Munroe examined how the forces of the storm led to the building’s collapse, and he used what he learned when he rebuilt later the same year.

People Make the Parks

Sarah Wurzel

Staff Spotlight

Sarah’s love for nature started in the wilds of Wyoming in the Big Horn Basin. She was born and raised in Powell, Wyoming, and visited nearby mountains and Yellowstone National Park often with her family.
James Diaz

Volunteer Spotlight

James loves woodworking. As a middle school student at age 13, James saw a short documentary, "Hand-Built Boat," about the boat-building program at The Barnacle and asked to join.
The Barnacle Society

The Barnacle Society

Friends groups meet the critical needs of individual parks and the system of state parks. They share one thing in common – passion for parks.

This Park is Recognized by:

National Register of Historic Places

Park Map

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