Jacksonville Historical Society

Jacksonville History Center

Our Mission

“The Jacksonville History Center strengthens citizenship through public history education.”
Founded in 1929, the Jacksonville Historical Society, now known as the Jacksonville History Center, is the oldest historical organization in the city. It is the only one that serves the entire city, helping people preserve and share Jacksonville’s fascinating and multifaceted history.

Why We Do What We Do

At the Jacksonville History Center, we believe that awareness of the past fosters a sense of place and identity in the present. Understanding Jacksonville’s past—who has lived here, what they did, and what happened as a result—helps us connect to the city and take ownership of it. Our goal is to share these important stories, allowing people to become true citizens of this dynamic city.

How We Do It

To bring Jacksonville’s history to life, we employ a professional staff who are responsible for producing educational programs, supporting historic preservation, maintaining four historic downtown buildings, and managing a large and growing archive. We aim to serve Jacksonville residents by being the principal citywide resource for history.

What We Provide

The Jacksonville History Center provides a variety of services aimed at preserving and sharing Jacksonville’s rich history.

Education

• We offer public programs, lectures, and events.
• We partner with arts, history organizations, libraries, and schools to collect and share stories.
• We work to promote heritage tourism and introduce Jacksonville’s history to the world.

Historic Preservation

• We advocate for the preservation of historic places, recognizing them as sources of authentic identity.
• We support adaptive reuse of historic buildings to strengthen local economic development.
• We actively promote historic preservation throughout Jacksonville.

Archives

• We preserve historical photos and documents to ensure future generations can access them.
• We provide unique access to Jacksonville’s history through an expansive collection available to the public.
• We support research into Jacksonville’s past, enabling a deeper understanding of the city’s evolution.

More Specifically

• The Jacksonville History Center has raised more than $2 million since 2000 for the restoration of local landmarks.
• We host a monthly speaker program focused on Jacksonville and North Florida history.
• The James E. Merrill House Museum offers an interpretation of Jacksonville in the American Victorian period, with tours available by appointment and during special events like the Gingerbread Extravaganza.
• Our archives contain tens of thousands of documents, photographs, rare books, and architectural artifacts related to Jacksonville’s history.
• We offer speakers for organizations, schools, and churches, focusing on a wide variety of Jacksonville history topics.
• We lead walking tours through Jacksonville’s historic areas, along with other significant North Florida locations.
• We place historic site markers throughout the city, helping to highlight and preserve important locations.

Conclusion

The Jacksonville History Center is dedicated to ensuring that the city’s history is not only preserved but also shared with both current and future generations. Through education, historic preservation, and archives, we help the people of Jacksonville connect with their roots and foster a deeper sense of identity and pride in their city.