History, Natural History, Park

Fort Caroline memorializes the short-lived French presence in sixteenth century Florida. Here you will find stories of exploration, survival, religious disputes, territorial battles, and first contact between American Indians and Europeans. The museum also describes other significant cultural and natural features located within the boundaries of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.

Park

History, Historic House, Natural History, Park

Archaeology, History, Historic House, Natural History, Park

You can explore the grounds at Kingsley Plantation, which include the slave quarters, barn, waterfront, plantation house, kitchen house, and interpretive garden. The visitor contact station and bookstore are located in a 1920s building adjacent to the plantation buildings. The plantation house is open for tours on a limited basis. Please call for information and reservations. A free audio tour is available, please inquire at the visitor contact station.

Art, Culture, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Park

In the 1800s, Mandarin was a small farming village that shipped oranges, grapefruit, lemons and other fruits and vegetables to Jacksonville and points north on the steamships that traveled the St. Johns River. In 1864, the Union steamship, the Maple Leaf, hit a Confederate mine and sank just off Mandarin Point. Author Harriet Beecher Stowe wintered in the village from 1867 to 1884. Mandarin now is a small section of the City of Jacksonville, Florida, but its natural beauty, parks and historic buildings draw visitors from around the world. The Mandarin Museum at the Walter Jones Historical Park is open. Special tours may be requested.