Cracker Country

Specialties

Cracker Country is a living history museum located on the Florida State Fairgrounds. Named after the cracking whips of Florida’s pioneer cowmen, the museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of rural life in Florida in the late 19^th century.

The museum is open every day during the annual Florida State Fair in February and is open for special public events on select Saturdays throughout the year. In addition, Cracker Country is open for elementary education field trips throughout the school year.

Group tours are available during the spring and fall. Tour prices start at just $ 7.00 per person for groups of 15 or more. Visit our website for more information.

History

Established in 1978.

Cracker Country was established by Mildred W. and Doyle E. Carlton, Jr. The museum complex includes thirteen original structures built between 1880 – 1912 relocated from around the state, restored and furnished to represent home life, commerce and transportation as it was in many rural Florida communities just before the turn of the 20^th century.

The centerpiece is the Carlton House, a two-​story home with a distinctive dogtrot hallway that was the birthplace of the founder’s father, Doyle E. Carlton, governor of Florida during the Great Depression.