Park Summary for Print - Forest Capital Museum State Park

Beneath the tall pine trees, a straw path leads to a fenced eighteen-sixty-three cracker homestead; the home is a classic log dog-trot design.

Welcome to Forest Capital Museum State Park

The importance of forestry in Florida dates back to the early 1800s. The museum celebrates the heritage of Florida's forest industry. The heart of the museum is dedicated to longleaf pines and the 5,000 products manufactured from them. The 50-plus-year-old longleaf pines growing on the museum grounds provide a majestic canopy and create an enjoyable walking trail for visitors. Adjacent to the museum is an authentic 19th century Cracker homestead, much like those scattered throughout Florida at the turn of the century. Rangers lead interpretive tours during special events and upon request. Three covered pavilions, that seat up to 60 people each, are available. The park is open Thursday through Monday, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. Located south of Perry, on U.S. 19.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Forest Capital Museum State Park, please call 850-584-3227.

Hours of Operation

The park is open every Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The park is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Forest Capital is also closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Driving Directions

1 mile south of Perry on US 19 - South Alternate 27.

Park Fees

Admission Fee:

No entrance fee is required to enter this park.

$2.00 per person, museum admission fee. Children 5 and younger are free.

Picnic Pavilion Rental Fees:

$30.00 per day, plus tax.

Activities at Forest Capital Museum State Park

	Interpretive Exhibit Adjacent to the museum is the North Florida Cracker Homestead interpretive site. The homestead was built in 1864 and depicts the common home and life style of that period. The term "cracker" was used to describe those who used the cracking sound of a long whip to herd their cattle. Guided tours are available for groups call 850-584-3227.
	Pets Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Forest Capital Museum State Park. They must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times and can not be left unattended.
	Picnicking Pavilions: We offer three covered pavilions, each seat up to sixty people. The pavilions can be reserved for family reunions, birthday parties, corporate events and more. Please call the park for more information, 850-584-3227.
	Visitor Center Gift Shop and Lobby: The octagonal lobby of the Visitor Center features rare Peck Cypress walls that serve as a backdrop for exhibits and photographs of early forest logging operations. The center provides information on Florida State Parks and offers a variety of novelty gifts. Museum: The Forest Capital Museum is an octagon structure made from Cypress and Pine wood with high beamed ceilings topped with a glass dome. The museum offers a fundamental understanding of the evolution, ecology and productivity of our forest. The whole family will enjoy the exhibits of lifelike animals native to the area. Early turpentine production once crucial to naval stores comes to life in a diorama. Antique turpentine tools are displayed. Diagrams and photographs explain and depict the life and cycles of a forest. The center of the museum is dedicated to displaying products that are derived from our forest. The beauty of Florida's native wood is displayed in a carved map of Florida with each of the sixty-seven counties carved from a species of wood native to their area. "Terry-the Talking-Tree" will sum it all up with a message that tells us about the importance of our forest. Participation Requirements

Special Events for Forest Capital Museum State Park

SOUTHERN PINES BLUES & BBQ FESTIVAL
Date: Friday, December 11, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Saturday, December 12, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Description: Join us for the biggest and the best blues & BBQ Festival in North Florida. Featuring many talented blues artists from all over. Also featuring the TRIPLE CROWN BBQ Competition where the best of the best from AL, FL & GA will compete for the top prize. There will also be People's Choice where YOU ARE THE JUDGE! An OPEN backyard competition will be held and camping is available, but limited! Join us for a flavorable weekend of great food and awesome music!
For more information visit Southern Pines Blues & BBQ or contact Ms. Dawn Taylor at
850-584-5377, Toll free: 866-584-5366.
Hosted By: Perry-Taylor County Chamber & Tourism Development.

Fees: $10.00 per person.
Contact: For more information, call 850-584-5377.

Forest Capital Museum State Park Ranger Programs

RANGER INTERPRETIVE PROGRAM
Interpretive programs focus on the Cracker homestead and the turn of the century lifestyle. The Cracker Homestead is available for self-guided tours. Ranger led tours occur during special events and upon request through coordination with park staff.

Participation Requirements

Call (850) 584-3227 for more details.
MUSEUM
The museum offers a fundamental understanding of the evolution, ecology and productivity of our forest. The whole family will enjoy the exhibits of lifelike animals native to the local forest. Open Thursday through Monday. Closed Tuesday & Wednesday. Ranger led tours occur during special events and upon request through coordination with park staff.

Participation Requirements

Call (850) 584-3227 for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions about Forest Capital Museum State Park

Question: What is "Spanish moss"?
Answer: Spanish moss is an epiphyte that is related to the pineapple. It lives off the air, rain, and decaying organic matter, not the tree. Most often found in large oak trees, Spanish moss cannot kill a tree. Its biggest threat to the tree is because it can absorb large amounts of water and it's wet weight can cause branches to break. Spanish moss is used by wildlife. In the tree canopy it shelters rat snakes, bats, insects and other creatures and birds use it in nest building.

Question: What is a "cracker"?
Answer: "Cracker" is a term used to describe settlers who lived in the rural areas. They may have acquired the name from the early Floridians who cracked their whips to drive their cattle and oxen.

Question: What is the breezeway or "dogtrot"?
Answer: The breezeway or "dogtrot" is a distinctive element of architectural style in Florida. The breezeway actually separates two, single room cabins, creating a large open porch area between the two cabins, most often referred to as a "dogtrot."

Question: Why is there no grass, only sand, in the yard of the cracker homestead?
Answer: To protect the home from fire and snakes, the yard of the homestead was kept free of grass. The sand yard was swept with a gulberry bush, which was usually a child’s daily chore.

Question: Did the early settlers make sugar from the sugar cane grown in the garden?
Answer: No. The sugar cane that was grown in the garden was used to make cane syrup. The cane grinder would grind the cane. Then the cane juice was cooked in the large iron kettle to make cane syrup, a thick, sweet syrup used to eat with meat, breads, and vegetables.

Question: What would have been planted in the garden?
Answer: Even today, the garden on the homestead produces many favorites known to the early settlers. Corn, beans, mustard, collards, turnips, and sugar cane are a few of the vegetables that were grown by the homesteaders.

Question: What tree produces the largest pinecones?
Answer: The longleaf pine produces the largest pinecones. Forest Capital State Museum is home to many longleaf pines, which date nearly 60 to 70 years old.

Forest Capital Museum State Park History

Forest Capital State Museum was opened in 1973. The museum interprets the history of the forestry industry and its valuable resources. The park and museum cover 13 acres and is adjacent to the Visitor Center is the Cracker homestead. The homestead is typical of those that were once found throughout the pinewoods of North Florida at the turn of the century.

Forest Capital Museum State Park Volunteer Information

Volunteers can do many things -- greet visitors, conduct tours, help rangers remove exotic plants or maintain the natural beauty of a beach, waterway or trail.