Monday, May 28, 2012

TT Wentworth Museum, Pensacola Florida


This elaborate Renaissance Revival building was the height of architectural fashion when it was built as Pensacola's City Hall. Its symmetrical design is graced with wide overhanging eaves, a red tile roof, an arched entry porch, and a second story arcade. Rotating exhibits portray West Florida's history, architecture, and archaeology.  (Historic Pensacola Village pamphlet)

The original museum was a roadside stand owned by Wentworth, which opened in the suburb of Ensley in 1957. Wentworth was paraphrased as saying, in the 1980s, that he would donate everything in his collection if there could be a permanent location to house his collection in Pensacola. A state grant was signed by Governor Bob Martinez to allow the city to renovate the old city hall, and the museum was officially opened in 1988.

Only one floor is dedicated to Wentworth's eccentric collections — which includes a mummified cat, among other things. Wikipedia








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