Floral City Heritage Museum and Country Store

05/04/2026

Floral City said farewell to a beloved member of our community yesterday. Frank Peters, longtime Floral City resident and Florida native, passed away March 28, 2026.

A true community servant, Frank was a lifelong history enthusiast. After moving to Floral City in 2001 with his wife Phyllis, he became deeply involved with the Floral City Heritage Council, serving as Chairman from 2008-2015. He was a familiar presence during Heritage Days, where he delighted in sharing the rich history of the town he came to love. Frank designed the plans for the Heritage Museum, serving as Museum Director from 2009-2020. He served as the President of the Duval Preservation Trust from 2011-2020. Together with his compatriots on the Floral City Heritage Council and the Duval Preservation Trust, Frank worked tirelessly to ensure Floral City and its history did not fade into obscurity.

If you ever met Frank, you were impressed by his generosity of spirit, the depth of his knowledge about history and many other things, and the unalloyed joy he expressed in sharing his knowledge with others. Most of all, you felt his kindness.

Frank will be missed, but his memory will live on in his legacy of love, kindness, and the preservation of history. Rest well, friend.

22/03/2026

In 1925, a sharp businessman named L.G. “Doc” Ferris came to Floral City with his father, James Ferris.

24/02/2026

22/02/2026

New exhibit at the Floral City Heritage Museum!

Floral City owes much of its character to George Higgins, a master builder who came to the newly-established town in about 1890. He built several of the most important buildings in and around Floral City. Fortunately, some of his beautiful homes still exist. Higgins built a Folk Victorian house in the early 1890s on Orange Ave., across the road from the present-day Floral City Heritage Museum. He lived in it with his family for nearly 10 years, before selling it to Capt. W. C. Zimmerman. He then moved into a rural frame vernacular house that he built in 1903 next door to the previous one. This one was eventually sold to David A. Tooke, who had married Higgins’s daughter Eva Rae (it was extensively remodeled decades later). Higgins also built three area churches, including the extant 1884 Gothic Vernacular wood-framed United Methodist Church.

The Floral City Heritage Museum honors George Higgins for his contribution to the community partly through the exhibition of some of his personal hand tools, including both a cross-cut saw and a rip saw. However, the best tribute to this extraordinary man is to walk along Orange Avenue (a.k.a. the Tunnel of the Oaks) and Marvin Street (one block northward) in order to admire his exceptional skill as a builder.

22/01/2026

Good things are happening at the Duval-Metz House!

22/01/2026

Join our friends at the Duval-Metz House for a very special Valentine's Day!

08/01/2026

What are you doing this Saturday? We highly recommend a visit to Floral City to visit our Floral City Heritage Museum and Country Store and the Duval-Metz House!

05/12/2025

The horse drawn wagon is SOLD OUT!! Thanks to all who bought tickets and were so patient with the process!

05/12/2025

You know what tomorrow night is???

20/11/2025

**PLEASE NOTE** Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will have only ONE horse-drawn wagon available this year! Rides require a ticket and tickets go on sale at 5:15 PM on the 5th behind the Heritage Museum. Cash only. You can purchase time specific ride tickets as long as they are available. Seats are limited on each ride so please come early to purchase your tickets. Price is $5 for adults, children 12 and under are free.

Parking is available at:
• The Methodist Church on Marvin Street, one block north of Orange Ave./CR 48 and may be entered via Old Floral City Road. A flashlight is advised for safety to and from the parking lot.
• On the paved parking lot at the Baptist Church on Magnolia.
• Behind the Floral City Library
• Behind Pop’s Produce Stand

Restrooms can be found on Old Floral City Road on the east side of the Heritage Hall Museum.

19/11/2025

Bring the family and stop by this Friday, December 5th and visit the “Heart of Floral City”! Check out our silent auction, enjoy delicious food by Downhome Dee’s, take a house tour, and end the evening with a festive heartwarming singalong.