In a peaceful 52-acre forest of oak, pine, and cypress at the edge of Florida’s capital, the quiet is broken by a pair of honking geese, a snorting horse, and the kinds of woodsy sounds you’d expect of such a sylvan location. Here at Tallahassee Museum, however, there’s more on offer than animal noises and an introduction to the region’s heritage. A startling rustle in the tree canopy overhead and an exhilarated scream breaks the calm. It trails off into the foliage as someone flies past overhead, harnessed to a very high cable threading through the treetops, all part of the museum’s Tallahassee Tree-to-Tree Adventures zipline courses. It becomes quickly clear this isn’t your ordinary non-profit. Yes, you’ll find a visit to this cultural gem educational and even inspiring, but you also have the opportunity to get up close and personal with Florida at heights hitherto unexperienced (and possibly scare yourself just a little in the process).
Established in 1957, this museum offers a glimpse into the area’s history, showcasing structures that date back to the 19th century. One of the museum’s highlights is the historic farm, with authentically restored buildings. Each structure is meticulously preserved, allowing visitors to imagine life in early Florida when water was pumped by hand, everyone shared one bedroom, and hurricanes hit without warning.
Russell Daws, President/CEO of the Tallahassee Museum, highlights the Museum’s unique appeal, which stems from its expansive outdoor campus. The Museum integrates a biodiverse natural landscape with historic buildings, living exhibits of Florida’s native wildlife, and a variety of history, natural science, and art displays. Each visit offers an immersive experience, inviting guests of all ages to explore, learn about, and connect with Florida’s rich history and natural wonders.
The newest attraction at Tallahassee Museum isn’t an old building but the enclosure hosting four red foxes rescued from a fur farm through an organization near Jacksonville, OtterSpace Wildlife, aka the Ark Wildlife Care and Sanctuary, working with the Save a Fox Foundation. Of these four, only one, the lone male, Boots, looks like a red fox. The rest are white with gray, the result of a breeding process that targets the eight genes controlling fur coloration, explains Suzie Buzzo, the Museum’s animal curator. Now, with space to move, these foxes, including two sisters, are finding their new normal. Buzzo feeds them different types of food – they ignore the bananas and dislike peanuts so much they take them away and bury them, but seem to be fond of hot dogs. One of the females cautiously takes a hot dog morsel from my fingers before ducking back into the foliage. It becomes clear that each fox has its own temperament. Boots is a pacer, uneasy around people, but the females appear more interested in human interaction. When one fur farmer who’d been passing on the misfit foxes deemed unsuitable for furs went to visit the refuge where they were being housed, he was so taken enough with their friendliness and personality that he shuttered his farm. Currently, there are still 250 fur farms in 21 U.S. states, but these lucky foxes have a better future ahead. Tallahassee Museum will be housing them temporarily while a gentleman in Jacksonville finishes building enclosures to provide safe haven for 89 rescued foxes.
In addition to fox-watching, leave time for a leisurely meander along peaceful trails traversing the museum grounds. Stop to spot the turtle hiding under a submerged log in the new alligator enclosure but don’t linger so long you miss the bald eagles, the black bear snoozing in a sunny spot, or the endangered red wolves taking a break from parenting their pups to enjoy some fresh air and exercise.
If there’s yet time for more, supplementing these zoological experiences are a range of educational programs. Additionally, the museum hosts special events throughout the year, including nature walks, historical reenactments, and their popular annual arts and crafts market, Market Days. For a current schedule and more information visit tallahasseemuseum.org.
