Dr John Gorrie (1803–55), one of Apalachicola's most famous sons, developed an ice-making machine to keep yellow-fever patients cool during an epidemic. He died poor and unknown, unaware of how his invention laid the groundwork for modern refrigeration and air-conditioning. This tiny museum commemorates the man and his life, and is located on one of the town's most attractive squares.
John Gorrie State Museum
Contact
Address
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
TH Stone Memorial St Joseph Peninsula State Park
25.9 MILES
This lovely park, a quilt of beach and pine forest, brackish bays and fuzzy salt marsh, is a fine slice of increasingly rare Gulf Coast wilderness…
13.96 MILES
St George island at its undeveloped best is found here, in the 9 miles of glorious beach and sand dunes that make up this pristine park. A 2.5-mile nature…
9.43 MILES
Just a few minutes from Apalachicola, but accessible only by boat, lies this pristine island. Its pearly dunes reveal 5000-year-old geological records,…
13.52 MILES
This is the former location of an 1814 British fort manned by African American and Native American soldiers armed and trained by the British to defend…
Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve
5.95 MILES
Just over the bridge from Apalachicola, in Eastpoint, this reserve provides a great overview of its research site, which encompasses more than 246,000…
18.93 MILES
This quiet, scenic lake is hemmed by a pleasant white-sand beach; it's great for a picnic or a stroll. It's located just off of FL65, about 35 miles north…
0.27 MILES
This small museum, which rests on the banks of the Apalachicola River, gives a breakdown on the history of oystering, fishing and boat building in…
0.07 MILES
This handsome church was built in New York state and cut into sections, which were shipped down the Atlantic Coast and around the Keys before making their…
Nearby attractions
0.07 MILES
This handsome church was built in New York state and cut into sections, which were shipped down the Atlantic Coast and around the Keys before making their…
0.24 MILES
Sitting behind a white-picket fence and a facade of grand columns, this small museum occupies the former 1838 Southern style–plantation home of David…
3. Apalachicola Maritime Museum
0.27 MILES
This small museum, which rests on the banks of the Apalachicola River, gives a breakdown on the history of oystering, fishing and boat building in…
4. Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve
5.95 MILES
Just over the bridge from Apalachicola, in Eastpoint, this reserve provides a great overview of its research site, which encompasses more than 246,000…
8.54 MILES
Originally built in 1858, this little lighthouse was painstakingly reconstructed in 2008 after collapsing into the sea in 2005 due to erosion. Today you…
9.43 MILES
Just a few minutes from Apalachicola, but accessible only by boat, lies this pristine island. Its pearly dunes reveal 5000-year-old geological records,…
13.52 MILES
This is the former location of an 1814 British fort manned by African American and Native American soldiers armed and trained by the British to defend…
8. St George Island State Park
13.96 MILES
St George island at its undeveloped best is found here, in the 9 miles of glorious beach and sand dunes that make up this pristine park. A 2.5-mile nature…