At the Jacksonville Historical Society, we’re making history every day. Our monthly Speakers Series offers in-depth information on surprising and diverse aspects of our city’s past, and our fun Pop Up events are designed to bring attention to the forgotten history buried in our own back yard. Throughout the year, we also lead countless school groups on “insider tours” of our city’s most significant landmarks and events. Why don’t you join us?
JHS is proud to present this beloved holiday tradition from
November 29 – December 28, 2018
Benefiting the educational programs and archival repository of the Jacksonville Historical Society
Take a tour of the James E. Merrill House Museum as it is decorated for the holidays! The 19th century Queen Anne – Eastlake Victorian home is furnished as the Merrill’s and other middle class Jacksonville families lived in 1903. The house exemplifies the Queen Ann style of architecture with a square tower on the southwest corner and an elaborate Merrill House 1900vergeboard in the north gable. The porch posts, brackets, and spindles reflect the Eastlake style. The Merrill residence is the largest and most architecturally interesting of the nineteenth-century houses remaining in East Jacksonville.
James E. Merrill started a small iron work business in Jacksonville in about 1875. Known as the Merrill-Stevens Engineering Co. by the late 1880s, the iron work became one of the largest shipbuilding companies in the South. Victorian era lifestyle is showcased in this elaborately decorated family home that also highlights a lifestyle of limited electricity and plumbing. The Merrill House was saved from demolition in 2000 by the Jacksonville Historical Society and City of Jacksonville.
The tour should last any where from 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the group.
If you would like to schedule a group tour, you may contact our office. During the Gingerbread Extravaganza our return contact time may vary.
General Times For The Holiday Merrill House Museum
Monday through Saturday 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Closed Sundays
* Special Times For The Holiday Merrill House Museum*
Dec 24 & 25 Closed
Dec 26 & 27, 1:00pm – 3:00pm New
Dec 28, Closed
Jacksonville Historical Society’s Merrill House Museum
319 A. Philip Randolph Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(across the street from Veterans Memorial Arena)
* JHS’s free parking lot is behind the church, and there’s also ample street parking.
Gingerbread Extravaganza Entry Fee:
$10.00 Adults
$3.00 Children 3 and up
* Admission to the Holiday Merrill House Museum is included in the Gingerbread Extravaganza admission during running tour hours.
For more information regarding this event please see the Gingerbread Extravaganza page.
JHS is proud to present this beloved holiday tradition from
November 29 – December 28, 2018
Benefiting the educational programs and archival repository of the Jacksonville Historical Society
Visitors enjoy gigantic, creative gingerbread creations built by chefs, bakers, architects, engineers, culinary school students, families, young people and other individuals. These tasty creations are placed on display at the Jacksonville Historical Society’s Old St. Andrews, immediately across the street from the Veteran’s Memorial Arena.
The Gingerbread Extravaganza showcases some of the most creative art exhibited during the year in Jacksonville. The 2018 Gingerbread and confection creation theme encompasses Jacksonville Historic landmarks and the wonderful, whimsical spirit of the holidays. Hundreds of hours are required for the construction of these edible structures in order to make amazing sights to behold! Children love to play the scavenger hunt and find items throughout the display.
Joining the Extravaganza each year are Junior League of Jacksonville Sustainers, who create beautifully themed trees that are showcased throughout Old St. Andrews.
General Times
Monday through Friday 11:00am – 5:00pm
Saturdays 10:00am – 4:00pm
Closed Sundays
* Special Times *
Dec 09, 11:00am – 4:00pm (Sunday) New
Dec 13, Gingerbread by Candlelight 6:00pm – 8:00pm (special evening event)
Dec 17, 11:00am – 8:00pm New
Dec 24 & 25 Closed
Dec 26 & 27, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Dec 28, 10:00am – 2:00pm
Jacksonville Historical Society’s Old St. Andrews
317 A. Philip Randolph Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(across the street from Veterans Memorial Arena)
* JHS’s free parking lot is behind the church, and there’s also ample street parking.
Entry Fee:
$10.00 Adults
$3.00 Children 3 and up
* This includes admission to the Merrill House Museum Tour during running tour hours.
For more information regarding this event please see the Gingerbread Extravaganza page.
