One City,
Many Stories

The Jacksonville History Center

our mission is To connect communities and strengthen citizenship through history education

At the History Center

Experience Jacksonville’s history up close at our evolving downtown campus. Whether you’re attending an event, exploring our historic buildings, or conducting research in the Archive of Jacksonville History, we welcome you to be part of the story—learning, discovering, and connecting with the people, places and events that shaped our city.

Upcoming Events

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Explore & Learn

Dive into Jacksonville’s history through educational experiences for all ages. Whether you’re attending a Speaker Series program, joining a tour, contributing to our collection, or exploring the archive, there’s always something new to learn.

Preserving thousands of photographs, documents, and rare materials that tell the city’s story—a small but growing portion of which are digitized. 

Offering educational experiences through our acclaimed speaker series, public programs, exhibitions, and community events. 

Bringing the city’s past to life through guided tours of historic sites, including cemeteries and neighborhoods rich with local stories. 

Latest from the Blog

From a Pile of Debris, a New Jacksonville was Built

4 May 2026

Nancy Gandy

From the Archive

Museum docent discovers her family lost their home in the Great Fire of 1901.

The Daring of Bessie Coleman, 100 Years Later

4 May 2026

Alan Bliss

From the CEO

A century ago, human flight was the stuff of danger and drama...more so when the pilot was a woman. Here's how Bessie Coleman broke barriers...

The Life of a Building

8 Apr 2026

Alan Bliss

From the CEO

Healthy cities advocate for preservation where it makes sense...buildings are sites of events and represent the stories of a city and its people.

Join & Support

Your support helps the Jacksonville History Center preserve and share the stories that define our city—from the people who built it to the events that shape its complex identity. Together, we’re safeguarding Jacksonville’s past to inspire a stronger, more connected future. 

Join a community that believes in the power of history.

Make a gift today to help preserve Jacksonville’s past and inspire its future.

Discover the impact of our volunteers—and how you can join them.

Visit Us

Located west of the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena; parking entrance from Monroe Street

Major support for the Jacksonville History Center is provided by: