Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens — Attraction in Jacksonville

This museum and garden is stunning, especially if you time it when the azaleas are blooming. On Tuesdays, it's free, too! Although the art from the different time periods will sweep you off your feet, and the flowers are to die for, what I really came here to talk about is the dedicated staff. I am never to be seen without my trusty water bottle. Where I go, it has gone for the last three years. Anyways, I brought it to the museum, and they mentioned their "no food/drink" policy when I got into the exhibits. Perfectly understandable, so I left it at the door. I spent the next few hours letting my eyes soak in all the beauty that the museum has to offer. When I was leaving, I grabbed my water bottle again, but set it down in the hall as I decided to take a bathroom break before heading out on the long ride home, as I was travelling and just passing through to stop at the museum. About an hour into the car ride, I realize that I have left my water bottle in the museum. Panic ensues, I call the museum. The woman walks to the area that I thought I left it in immediately, while still on the phone with me. Although she doesn't find it, her effort was phenomenal. The next day, I call the museum and ask if anyone has turned it in. I speak with another staff member who asks security, saying they haven't seen it, but they will keep me updated, as they see that I really like this water bottle. For the next week, someone from the museum calls me every day to update me on the search mission. Although my water bottle was never found, their valiant efforts will forever remain in my heart as one of the best experiences I've ever had in the customer service world. Shout out to Marie, especially. She even left a voicemail expressing her sympathy when she called to let me know that it hadn't been found, which brought me a...

I am a Jacksonville resident of over 30 years. This museum has gone to the dogs, totally. It's awful.

My experience today was horrible.

Here is my story:

I went today. Paid full price. I have no problem contributing to arts.

Strike 1:

So I'm walking around with my earbuds on after eating lunch at the Cafe and with a drink in my hand, also from the cafe. I had to goto my car to get something and when i walked back in the front desk people tried to stop me! Meaning they didn't recognize me that I had been there already for awhile because they were not paying attention! How embarrassing! I showed them my wristband...

Strike 2:

...Then as I began to walk off back towards the cafe, I was stopped AGAIN, and this time i was asked to remove my headphones. Like SERIOUSLY I AM A PAYING CUSTOMER TRYING TO ENJOY MY EXPERIENCE WHY ARE YOU BOTHERING ME HERE??? - The reason? She wanted to inform me that I can't bring my drink into the art gallery, even though I was trying to walk back to the cafe.

...

Like seriously? Do I look incapable of reading the sign on the door that says don't bring your drink in? 🤔 I strongly suspect that the color of my skin was the primary factor in this young lady's thought process that led her to disturb me. Disgusting. I was literally so shocked and stunned that I didn't know what else to say but "ok" to make her go away.

Strike 3:

I went to the gardens and it about broke my heart. They had some stupid flamingos or something, but the gardens are nothing like they were 20 or even 10 years ago. It's very sad. A great loss for our community.

The rudeness and attitude of -some- of your staff, and how you allowed the gardens go derelict gets you 1 star. This is not to flame and be rude, please just fix the problem. Don't allow people with nasty attitudes and bad energy to work in...

Was looking forward to my visit, based on their website and many positive reviews. Paid $20 entry fee but was surprised by how small the museum was. Having seen all the art, I went outside to see the gardens, which were also smaller than expected. My entire visit took less than an hour so I decided to head to the cafe for an early lunch. The couple in front of me were shown to a table despite not having a reservation. When it was my turn, I was told they were fully booked. Half of the tables were empty - some had menus on them so I understood that those may be reserved for people who had yet to arrive. I asked how long it might be if I waited, since I wasn't expecting to be seated immediately. I was told 'first come first served', which I understood but when I asked if I could add my name to a waitlist for a table, two staff members told me they don't do that. So I didn't really know what I was expected to do - no waitlist but clearly couldn't just stand there at the check in desk and wait for a table. Decided to head out and get lunch outside the museum. Next thing a man is running down the corridor calling after me. He says they CAN add me to a waitlist, take my number and call me when a table is available. He still said he had no idea when that might be. There had been talk earlier of 'maybe 20 minutes' - but they could not figure out what to do with me while I waited. All in all a very uncomfortable experience, especially given there were some tables which were clean and had no menus on, so clearly not waiting for people who had made reservations. I can't help but wonder if they figured as a single person I would be wasting a table that they could give a couple or 4 people. Lots of confusion among the staff and made me feel quite unwelcome so left and found another...