Exhibits
There is always something to see and do in Historic Pensacola. Our Museum of Industry and Museum of Commerce are hosts to permanent exhibits and tell the stories of the Pensacola’s early industries and downtown Pensacola circa the 1890s.
In the Voices of Pensacola, see Musically Inclined: A Look at the Pensacola Jazz Scene.
This exhibit highlights items from the Jane Peaden Collection, which is a large collection of items picked up during Jane’s travels in the 1970s and 1980s. Items are paired with images and diary entries that show how anyone can travel, broaden their horizons, and interact with communities across the globe. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
The Pensacola Museum of History is where you will find a permanent exhibit on the history, archaeology and preservation of the City of Five Flags, in addition to changing exhibits.
The Finding 1821 Trail allows you to explore Pensacola's history through modern technology. The Finding 1821 trail reflects a local establishment that was near that location two hundred years ago. Outside each business is a QR code that links to a corresponding advert from an early 1820s newspaper. You can find ours on the left window in the breezeway. Over a dozen sites have been identified so far. Take a stroll around town, visit local shops, and explore the history of Pensacola through today's technology.
Permanent Exhibits
Trader Jon's
Martin "Trader Jon" Weissman, owner and namesake of Trader Jon's Bar, was well known for his personal eccentricities such as his famously mismatched socks and "Tradernomics" as well as his eclectic establishment. One of Pensacola's top tourist destinations for decades, Trader Jon's, decorated with photos and memorabilia, some traded for drinks, was a safe haven where young flight students, military personnel, astronauts and movie stars rubbed shoulders with local politicians, characters and the occasional ne'er-do-well. Trained as a U. S. paratrooper in WWII, Trader's lifelong love of naval aviation and his livelihood were inseparable. There was truly nothing like it on Earth! Step inside and experience the legend that was Trader Jon's.
Visit the Events at Trader Jon's page for more information on booking the space for your next event!
The City of Five Flags
The City of Five Flags tells the unique story of Pensacola through artifacts, photographs and stories told through archaeology and preservation efforts. Renovated in 2012, the City of Five Flags exhibit includes streamlined timelines, one-of-a-kind artifacts, and immersive environments all designed to help visitors experience life in Pensacola under five different flags.
For thousands of years, people have been discovering Pensacola. Warriors, conquistadors, presidents, heroes from all walks of life, and countless others have discovered that in trying to make their mark on Pensacola, Pensacola has made its mark on them.
What drew people here more than 450 years ago still captivates us today. The beautiful, unspoiled bay, the vivid pageantry of our multi-cultured history, and the promise of new discoveries from places that transcend time itself--this is Pensacola, City of Five Flags.
Changing Exhibit Galleries
Black Lives Matter
May 19, 2023 - August 2023
Third floor
A display comprised of documentation and reactions to the Black Lives Matter movement in Pensacola. The Kugelman Honors Program created BLM Mural originally for the John C. Pace Library, and it will now be displayed on the 3rd floor of the Pensacola Museum of History for a limited time. Also on-view is a collection of photographs from Grant Tyson who captured local BLM demonstrations in Pensacola following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
The Story of Us: From Curiosity Cabinets to Modern Museums
Long term gallery
Second floor
Modern museums look vastly different than 16th century curiosity cabinets. Museums, and their predecessors, exist because of the drive to preserve memories. Every object has a story to tell - sometimes two or three. Our mission is to protect and interpret thousands of objects that represent the history of Northwest Florida.
Suddenly American: A Meeting of Heritage and Country
July 2021 until December 2023
First floor
This exhibit looks at the transition of Florida from a Spanish territory to an American region, which formally occurred in 1821. Florida’s embattled history dates back much farther than 1821. From refusing independence during the American Revolution to wanting their own freedom in 1810, Florida loved to cause problems. The United States eyed the region early on, using the Seminole Wars as an excuse to seize territory before turning to diplomatic means to acquire Florida. The Adams-Onis Treaty, debated and initially agreed upon in 1819, resulted in Spain ceding control of East Florida to the United States. At the same time, Spain also agreed to give up all claims on West Florida, in essence giving the entire Florida territory over to the United States. Ratified in 1821, the Treaty was cause for celebration in Pensacola, the capital of West Florida, as it officially became part of America.
Visualized Landscapes: a selection of Northwest Florida maps
January 28, 2022 - August 2022
Second floor
The wild landscape of the northern Gulf Coast has transformed dramatically over the years, due to both natural and human forces. From early drawings to more recent renderings, this exhibit explores the shifting topography of Northwest Florida through a series of maps selected from the UWF Historic Trust Archives.
Textiles of the Times: Regency Era Dress Making
June 24, 2022 -June 23, 2023
Second floor
The period between 1811 and 1820 is historically defined as the Regency Period. Though more associated with a specific period of time in which social and cultural changes were rapidly occurring in England, under the reign of George, Prince of Wales - who governed Britain as the “regent” during his father’s illness - areas outside the UK experienced the same shift in society. For the Gulf Coast, and Pensacola specifically, the Regency Period was a tumultuous time. It corresponded with the final days of Spanish rule in Florida, and the preparation of becoming an American territory was already underway. Thus, a mixing of cultures happened simultaneously with newer social and cultural trends.This exhibit looks at a day in the life of a Regency-era Pensacolian through fashion and garment use. Drawing on historical documentation of stores known to have operated on Palafox, inside this recreation of a seamstress shop visitors will be able to explore the dress of yesteryear.