The Washington County Historical Preservation Society was founded in July 1985 by folks in the community that under-stood the importance of preserving and protecting this areas history before it was lost to the ages. In 1986, the city of Chipley leased the Society the historic ice plant building situated under the old water tower at the intersection of highway 90 and highway 77. As time went on the collection has grown with the stories and pieces of Washington County’s history that make this area so unique.
Ten years later on October 15th 1996 the Historical Society held a Grand Opening at the Museum and began inviting the public to visit.
In 2010, the historical society was able to secure a new and improved location for the museum, at the Bill Lee Train Depot and the old Chipley Chamber of Commerce building, located at the Farmer's Market in downtown Chipley. This new location will provide the elbow room needed to continue the museums growth and allow for more interpretive displays for our collections. The new site also offers more opportunities for events at the Museum because of the surrounding lawn and Gazebo.
The Museum is open every Friday from 10am - 2pm.
The Museum offers a colorful and tangible glimpse at Washington County’s people, industry and lifestyles. Please stop by and see for yourself.
Some of our collections include:
Located at the
Farmer's Market Building
School yearbooks dating back to 1942
Phone company memorabilia & switchboard
Courthouse office items
Parlor items
Local mercantile items
E.W. Carswell Research Library
Genealogy Records
Old bottles
Pen & ink drawings by Don Crossley of local sites
Kudzu display / C.E. Pleas / Glen Arden Nursery
Natural History displays
Farm implements
Native American Artifacts
Located at the Bill Lee Station
Train Station Display & Memorabilia
Col. W.D. Chipley Bio
Turpentine Industrial Display
Military Display
http://www.smarttravel.tips/hidden-locations-florida/3/
See a list of 9 Hidden locations in Florida. Falling Waters State Park is # 3
https://youtu.be/v11Q7rGeY3M Where the Tall Pines Grow
https://youtu.be/anH14gkPPu8 The Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe
Washington County Tourist Development Council
We are pleased to announce that Geocaching has come to Washington County. Learn more about the 32 geocaching sites and other events in Wasshington County by following the link to the Washington County TDC website.
Recent Photos
Museum Directions
From I-10 take exit 120 (Chipley), go north on Hwy 77, take a right on Hwy 90, Go 1/4 mile, Take a left onto 7th Street and enjoy the museum.
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Book Sale
The museum carries the full collection of E.W. Carswells books of Washington County and the surrounding area. They are available to be added to your historic library collection. Stop by the museum and pick up your copy.
Panhandle Historic Preservation Alliance
Bringing together interested
organizations and individuals
who have a common goal
of preserving, protecting &
interpreting history.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=li&retTo=homeLINKS
http://www.baycountyconservancy.org/
http://www.findagrave.com/