T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum Profiles West Florida

Situated in an historic Spanish-revival style building that once served as Pensacola's City Hall, the T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum provides visitors with an opportunity to explore the history and culture of West Florida. Named after a local historian and collector of West Florida artifacts and information, the museum has been opened for half-a-century and is a favorite field trip location for regional school students.

The museum houses a variety of permanent exhibits and also hosts a number of temporary exhibits that change a few times each year. Among the regular displays are a Civil War Soldiers exhibit that outlines the role of West Florida in the fight between the Union and Confederacy. Guests can view a Confederate flag, cannon balls, and a variety of photos and artifacts from the Civil War era.

The Pensacola: City of Five Flags exhibit provides visitors with a good look at the history of the city itself, including archaeological findings from several centuries ago. Black Ink: The African American Press in Pensacola pays tribute to black journalists from the region and their impact on the press nationwide. Patrons can view historic print shop artifacts and follow the history of the Black Press from its earliest days to present day.

In the Hoops to Hips exhibit, guests of the Wentworth Florida State Museum get a look at women's changing fashions, particularly from the 1890s to the wild days of the 1920s flapper era. On display are photos, advertisements, dresses, and other items pertaining to the culture of the jazz age and the shift in values that occurred after the turn of the 20th century.

Children, especially little girls, love to roam through the Diminutive Dwellings exhibit, an area of the museum that includes a collection of 42 charming doll houses, each a little different from the others. Usually, 10 are displayed at any given time and selections are changed frequently so that repeat visitors can enjoy all the houses in the collection.

Those who enjoy politics will be enthralled with the Politics, Publicity, and Politicians exhibit, which contains hundreds of artifacts from election campaigns of the last 150 years. Items include buttons, bumper stickers, posters, and more, and the exhibit explains how the right publicity can win the election for the candidate in question.

Finally, the Discovery Gallery is the place for children who want a real hands-on experience at the T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum. Located on the third floor, this area includes displays where children can learn by discovery and play. Designed for elementary aged children and their parents, the Discovery Gallery hosts permanent and changing exhibits as well as frequent special events for young visitors.

The museum, part of Historic Pensacola Village, can be toured free of charge. However, a small fee will grant visitors the opportunity to participate in guided tours of several homes and buildings in the city's historic area.