The Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science is not a typical museum—a large portion of it is actually a zoo. Various indigenous species, including wolves, otters, and a Florida panther, can be viewed in their natural habitat. There is also a small building called the Discovery Center that houses a few interactive science exhibits.
The rest of the museum is devoted to historical buildings, which includes an 1880s "living history" farm. Dressed in historical costumes, museum staff members demonstrate and explain typical nineteenth century activities. Other buildings include a one-room schoolhouse built in 1870 and a church founded in the 1850s.
This museum is not at all what I was expecting, but it’s a really interesting place to visit. Although I always enjoy zoos, my favorite part of the museum is the living history farm. It’s clear that the museum staff really enjoy their jobs, and they’re happy to answer questions and talk with visitors.
I think the best time to visit the museum is during one of the festivals that are held throughout the year. It’s a little more crowded, but I think it’s worth it for the extra activities. Click
here to view dates for special events and exhibitions.
Hours, admission prices, and other information can be found at
http://www.tallahasseemuseum.org/