Pensacola Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pensacola Historic District
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Julee Cottage, in the district
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pensacola, Florida |
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| Area | 108 acres (44 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000184 |
| Added to NRHP | September 29, 1970 |
The Pensacola Historic District is a special area in Pensacola, Florida. It's also known as the Seville Historic District. This district was officially recognized as a historic place on September 29, 1970. It helps protect old buildings and places that tell the story of Pensacola.
The district covers an area roughly between Bayfront Parkway, Tarragona, Romana, and Cevallos Streets. Inside, you'll find the Historic Pensacola Village, the Pensacola Museum of History, and Seville Square. Seville Square and its twin, Plaza Ferdinand VII, were once parade grounds for the old Fort of Pensacola. This fort was established when the British ruled the area. Did you know that the earliest known European settlement in North America was near here? It was founded in 1559, northeast of the district on Pensacola Bay.
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Protecting Pensacola's Past
The Pensacola Heritage Foundation
In the early 1960s, a group of local people who loved history decided to save Pensacola's past. Led by Mary Turner Rule, they formed the Pensacola Heritage Foundation. They joined the National Trust and looked closely at the Seville Square Historic District. This neighborhood is next to Pensacola Bay.
Realizing how important Pensacola's history was, Rule and the Foundation worked to get the Pensacola Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This listing helps protect historic sites. The group even bought and fixed up the Dorr House. They also convinced the city to restore Seville Square to its beautiful state today. To get people excited, they created a festival called "An Evening in Old Seville Square." This event encouraged people to help restore the district. Rule also helped get the famous lighthouse at the Navy Air Station listed as historic. She also helped create a state board to protect Pensacola's history. The city also set up an Architecture Review board to protect local historic buildings.
UWF Historic Trust
In 1967, the Pensacola Historical Preservation and Restoration Commission was created. Its goal was to preserve Pensacola's history, including its old buildings and monuments. It also aimed to teach the public about this history. In 2001, the Florida government changed this organization. Its collections and buildings were moved to the University of West Florida (UWF). In 2009, the Pensacola Heritage Society joined with this group. They became the West Florida Historic Preservation. In 2013, they changed their name again to the UWF Historic Trust. This organization continues to protect and share Pensacola's rich history.
Exploring Historic Pensacola Village
Historic Pensacola is a collection of 28 historic buildings and museums. It is located within the Pensacola Historic District. The University of West Florida's Historic Trust manages these sites. Historic Pensacola is in downtown Pensacola, Florida. It sits between Plaza Ferdinand VII and Seville Square. It's a great place to learn about the past!
Buildings and Museums to Visit
- Pensacola Museum of History: Learn about the city's long and interesting story.
- Pensacola Children's Museum: A fun place for younger kids to explore history.
- Museum of Commerce: This museum looks like a Pensacola street from the late 1800s to early 1900s. It shows what businesses were like back then. You can see toy stores, a print shop, and even an old gas station! The print shop has many old printing presses.
- Museum of Industry: Discover how people worked and made things in the past.
- Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center: Learn about the many different cultures that shaped Pensacola.
- Old Christ Church: A very old church with a lot of history.
- Bowden Building: The first floor has classrooms for the University of West Florida. It also holds some of Historic Pensacola's collections. The top floor has offices for Historic Pensacola.
- Tivoli High House: This was once a boarding house. Now, it's where you can buy tickets and get information.
- Lavalle House: Another historic home to explore.
- Lear-Rocheblave House: This old home has been restored to look like a boarding house from the 1920s.
- Dorr House: A beautiful historic home.
- Manuel Barrios Cottage: A charming old cottage.
- Julee Cottage: This historic home was once owned by Julee Panton. She was a free woman of color. Other Black families also lived here.
- Barkley House: Another historic house in the district.
- John Appleyard Cottage: A historic cottage.
- Fountain Park: A nice park area.
- Colonial Archaeological Trail: Explore where archaeologists have found old artifacts.
- Pensacola Museum of Art: See amazing art in a historic setting.
Image Gallery
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Julee Cottage, built in 1805.
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Tivoli House, a 1976 replica of an 1805 building.
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Clara Barkley Dorr House, built in 1871.
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Lear Rocheblave House, built around 1890.
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Old Christ Church, built in 1763.
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Pensacola Museum of History.
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Museum of Commerce.
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Museum of Industry.
