House of Refuge Museum — Attraction in Florida

Visiting the House of Refuge Museum near Stuart, FL, is like stepping back in time. This historic gem, the last remaining of its kind, offers a fascinating glimpse into the maritime history of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally a life-saving station, it played a crucial role in providing aid to shipwrecked sailors along Florida’s treacherous coast.

The museum’s exhibits are well-curated and informative, detailing the brave efforts of the keepers who maintained the station and the broader history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service. The preserved building itself is a piece of history, standing resiliently against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.

What truly sets this location apart, however, is its breathtaking setting. The House of Refuge is perched on a stunning stretch of coastline, offering visitors not just a trip through history but also a visual feast. As the day winds down, make sure to stay for the sunset. The view from the rocky outcrop at Gilbert’s Bar is nothing short of spectacular. The sky transforms into a canvas of vibrant colors, reflected on the tranquil waters of the Atlantic. It’s a perfect spot for photographers, romantics, and anyone looking to experience nature’s beauty.

In summary, the House of Refuge Museum is a must-visit for history buffs and nature lovers alike. The combination of educational exhibits and natural beauty, capped off with one of the most amazing sunset spots in Florida, makes it a memorable destination...

We’ve been trying to complete the Treasure Coast Kid’s Quest activity being held this year. There are seven different locations and at each location you are supposed to get a stamp. Then the kid gets a “prize”. We’ve been making our way through the locations. Some are appropriate for our four year old and some are not really age appropriate. You need six of the seven locations to be stamped to get the prize. We had planned to go with friends but then we had to cancel due to a cold. Our friend went anyways. She told me after that it is definitely not interesting for a young child. Today I had planned to go and inquire if we could get the stamp and I would make a donation so that they didn’t lose out on the fee. I walked in and very nicely waited my turn and very politely asked if it was possible to get the stamp without going into the museum part. I would have LOVED to go in as I love history but I did not want my rambunctious child to break anything. The lady working the front desk was very rude and unprofessional. Her tone of voice was something that was completely uncalled for. All I did was ask a simple question in a polite manner and she snapped at me in response. She completely ruined any chance of me returning or recommending this place because she was so unnecessarily rude. Very bad representation of this museum and she needs to be given a soft skills class if she continues to work...

A great piece of Coast Guard and Florida history. This is located off the beaten path. It is associated with the Elliott museum and is located about 2 miles or a 5 minute car ride from the main museum. You can buy a combination ticket to see the Elliott and the House of Refuge museum. I think that is the best deal. You can coordinate for a museum staff member to drive you over and back. It was a good deal and very convenient. I would recommend going to the Elliott first and then the House of Refuge. You could drive yourself but there are very few parking spaces at the Refuge. The house is the only one of the original 10 houses built by Florida to helped shipwrecked people along Florida’s east Coast. You enter through the house by the small parking lot. The staff was very friendly. The entrance house serves as a ticket booth, a waiting area and a gift shop all in one. The small set of structures is located right on the beach and offers a lovely view. They have you start at the third house where a volunteer shows a movie and then describes more about the history of the people and the structures. The next house has individual rooms that describe each period in the history of the house. Overall, it was a very nice visit to a structure that is key in describing the true initial Coast...