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John Museum State Park

John Gorrie Museum State Park

A fascinating museum nestled within the historic district of a charming fishing village

Hours

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

Fees

Museum admission fee $2 per person. Children 5 and younger admitted free.

Location

46 Sixth St.
Apalachicola FL 32320

Get directions

Contact Info

850-653-9347

Park Menu

  • Experiences & Amenities
  • History
Download Park Map

Welcome to John Gorrie Museum State Park

A young physician named John Gorrie moved to Apalachicola in the early 1830s when it was a prominent port of trade, commerce and shipping in Florida.

Gorrie was deeply involved in his adopted community, serving as postmaster, city treasurer, town council member and bank director. By 1841, concern for his yellow fever patients motivated Gorrie to invent a method for cooling their sickrooms. He became a pioneer in the field of air conditioning and refrigeration by inventing a mechanical device that produced ice. In 1851, Dr. Gorrie received the first U.S. patent for mechanical refrigeration.

Today, a replica of his ice-making machine and other artifacts are on display at the museum. We are also proud to showcase temporary exhibits chronicling the history of the Florida Park Service, which plays a vital role in preserving and interpreting the Real Florida!

PBS' Local Routes: The Old Story of John Gorrie, and the One You Never Knew.

Learn more about John Gorrie from Local Routes, courtesy of WFSU.

Plan Your Visit

Josh Hodson, Park Manager
Learn

Manager's Message

Welcome to John Gorrie Museum State Park! While visiting historic Apalachicola, let park staff interpret the local history and contributions made by famous resident Dr. John Gorrie.
The gravestone of John Gorrie.
Learn

Gorrie Square

Stroll the grounds of the Florida Heritage Landmark John Gorrie Square, on your own or with one of our knowledgeable park rangers.
cultural resources
Learn

John Gorrie Museum

The John Gorrie Museum is proud to temporarily host an exhibit showing the history of Florida State Parks.

Experiences

Geo-Seeking
Geo-Seeking
Picnicking
Picnicking

Amenities

Accessible Amenities
Accessible Amenities
Interpretive Exhibit
Interpretive Exhibit
Museum
Museum
Parking
Parking
Restroom Facilities
Restroom Facilities

John Gorrie Museum State Park Photo Gallery

John Gorrie State Park Picnic Area
Museum, Ice, Machine, John, Gorrie
Museum, Ice
Museum, Ice, Machine, John, Gorrie
Museum, Ice, Machine
Grave, Museum, Ice, Machine
Museum
A view of the front of the John Gorrie museum.
A statue of Dr. John Gorrie.
The ice machine created by Dr. John Gorrie
Learn

John Gorrie's Ice Machine

Dr. John Gorrie's experiments with artificial cooling led to a patented life-saving invention. Over a half century was to pass before the true genius of this esteemed man of medicine and community leader would be fully recognized.
The front exterior of the John Gorrie Museum.
Learn

Yellow Fever in Apalachicola

Accompany park rangers on a guided tour of the John Gorrie Museum, where we discuss Dr. Gorrie’s fascination with finding a cure for this mysterious disease.

People Make the Parks

Stephen Ruffin

Staff Spotlight

Stephen enjoys being in nature. Pursuing a career as a park ranger comes naturally.
Volunteers Ken and Pattie Fox stand in front of azalea bushes at the Orman House full of bright fuschia blooms.

Volunteer Spotlight

Ken and Pattie keep returning to Florida State Parks to volunteer because they love what they do and feel pride in what they have accomplished. Plus it's an awesome way to get out of the Michigan snow!
Friends of Franklin County

Friends of Franklin County State Parks

Our organization supports St. George Island State Park, the Orman House Historic State Park, John Gorrie State Park Museum, Chapman Botanical Gardens and the Three Servicemen Plaza.

Park Map

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Florida State Parks

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(850) 245-2157

Or send an email to:

FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov

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