ABOUT THE MUSEUM
The Historic Homestead Town Hall Museum is located at 41 North Krome Avenue in the original 1917 City of Homestead Town Hall. Situated across the street from Losner Park, the building is just a short distance from the restored Seminole Theater.
Open Tuesday through Saturday, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., admission is free.
For further information contact museum staff at 305-242-4463 or admin@townhallmuseum.org.
MISSION
The mission of the Historic Homestead Town Hall Museum is to collect, preserve, display, and make accessible materials of permanent historical value pertaining to the City of Homestead and the surrounding region for the enrichment of present and future generations.
The Historic Homestead Town Hall Museum is a 501(c)3 organization. Your tax-deductible contributions are greatly appreciated.
On exhibit are historical artifacts and copies of photographs depicting people, families, buildings and events that helped shape Homestead history. The library and archives are open to researchers by appointment. The museum store has books, cards, and other items for sale.
Through the efforts of Ruth Campbell and others, the museum opened in 1994. Ruth was the wife of Harold “Pete” Campbell, a grandson of Thomas Alexander Campbell for whom Campbell Drive is named. She served Homestead as a city councilperson and vice-mayor. After 23 years of active service, Ruth retired from the museum in June of 2017. She died on May 7, 2019, shortly before her 99th birthday–June 20, 2019. Click on Ruth’s picture to view a 2013 video produced by Doug La Rue, the owner of radio station WKLG, in which she tells the story of the museum.
Hover over the Resources tab in the menu bar to find historic resources pertaining to the history of Homestead. Articles about early Homestead may be found on Jeff Blakley’s website, Historic South Dade.
Click history of the building to learn more about the structure that houses the Museum.
One of the museum’s most popular exhibits is the City of Homestead’s original 1924 American LaFrance fire truck. The engine was partially restored by firefighting enthusiasts in the Tampa Bay area.
_______________________________________________
Wilderness on the Edge: A History of Everglades National Park is a 640-page work that includes dozens of historic photos and more than 20 maps created specifically for this publication. The author, Robert W. Blythe, provides an extensive index and a number of appendices. Information includes Park legislation, visitation figures, a chronology, and a glossary of names.
Blythe placed this comprehensive web-published history of Everglades National Park in the public domain. Based on his extensive research in the archives of federal and state agencies, and conservation organizations, the publication contains information not published previously. This work provides an important addition to our knowledge of Everglades National Park history.
To download this book, click on the link in the drop down menu under the Resources tab.
Very interesting site! I am the oldest grandson of Horace “Hoppy” Bell and Hazel (Pennington) Bell, and both my parents attended South Dade High in the late 50’s. My mom was Linda Lee (Bell) Nyary. Her dad owned Hoppy’s Gulf gas station in downtown Homestead for many years, which I remember visiting as a young boy. I was wondering if there were any old pictures of the station somewhere.
I have a photo taken at Hoppy’s Gulf in 1964 when my senior classmates and I posed for a yearbook picture in my old Pontiac. I tried to copy/paste it here but it didn’t work.
Hello Scott, I remember going to Hoppy’s Gulf station many times when I was younger. He and the guys working there always were able to help with mechanical issues I had. A great crew there and my dad knew the Bell family well since he grew up here. On a sad note I remember the day that Hoppy died as a result of a hunting accident. By the way my grandmother was a Pennington before she married my grandfather Charles Caves, I was wondering if there is a relation there. Perhaps you know.
Yes there is a relationship. I believe she was a sister of my grandfather, William Frederick Pennington although they could have been cousins, etc. . I am Glenda Bell Monares and Hoppy and Hazel were my parents. I’ve seen many pictures of my Pennington grandparents with the Caves and always understood they were relatives although as a child I didn’t pay attention to what that relationship was.
thank you for your reply Glenda. unfortunately some of the family distant relationships do tend to get a little fuzzy.however the Penington name is not common so you are probably right that there is a re;ationship
Somewhere we have pictures of my Pennington Grandparents with some Caves relatives (identified as such to me as a child). My son has all the family pictures now but if I can ever go through them and find it I’ll be happy to send you a copy. Perhaps seeing the picture will solve the mystery.
Can I bring my dog to the museum?
Only service animals are permitted in the museum.
Greeting. I am compiling info on the history of Sunny Palms Members’ Lodge, a nudist park which from 1948 to 1984 was located at 36600 S.W. 202 Ave. The property was sold to duPont for a paint and explosives testing site. However, since Hurricane Andrew, it seems the property is owned by Metro-Dade & called Sunny Palms Preserve, I am most appreciative for any information you can provide or direct me to others with information. I would also be happy to share with you, archival photos, articles etc we’ve compiled of Sunny and the area. Members of Sunny, re-organized as Sunnier and for years searched for land nearby. But frustrated by the bureaucracy of Dade County, we broadened our land search & have been in rural St. Lucie County for 32 years.
We don’t have any information about the property, but would love to acquire anything you might provide us.