The Jacksonville History Center

Founded in 1929, Jacksonville Historical Society (dba Jacksonville History Center) is the oldest such organization in the City of Jacksonville, and the only one that serves the entire city. We help the people of Jacksonville preserve and share this big, complicated city’s many fascinating stories.
The Jacksonville History Center comprises two campuses with two properties each. The Palmetto Street campus includes the 1878 Old St. Luke’s Hospital building (the first purpose-built hospital in Florida) and the 1920 Florida Casket Company three-story building, which is destined to house the Haskell Archives of Jacksonville and research library, a museum and exhibit space, and an event space. The A. Philip Randolph Blvd. campus includes two structures owned and maintained by the City of Jacksonville: the 1879 James E. Merrill House Museum and the 1888 Old St. Andrew’s Church, which was deconsecrated in the 1950s and currently serves as an event venue.