cracker trail museum

Following one of the previous reviews, we called to check the museum was open and were told that they expected a party of about 25 folks from a nearby RV park about 1.30pm, for whom they would open the outside buildings; we could tag along. Sure enough, we arrived at 1.30 - as had another guy who was very interested in cracker history and had driven over from Tampa. The museum was closed for lunch. Various vehicles passed, including a Hardee County vehicle. Apparently, one of the guys realized the situation and returned within a few minutes at around 2pm with a set of keys! One of the guys opened the museum, said he was not actually the museum guide but he would show the 30+ folks around. He did his best showing some folks round the museum but, as he explained, he was not a professional guide or curator. Anyway, to say the least, the museum is a mixed batch - comprising a little information on crackers and the cracker trail, and multifarious junk various locals had deposited at the museum. (By this time, the guy from Tampa had quite sensibly taken off.) The museum is poorly organized and hardly attempts to realize its potential, given the artifacts and the out buildings it has in its charge. With just a little more effort, the county and its staff could have made a lot more of the museum and its site. But, the real piece de resistance was the "real guide" with whom I had spoken on the phone that morning. No apology for showing up late (2.20pm); no explanation - and then she began "the tour" by asking the assembled what they want to see! And, then, it turned out that she knew very little about the artifacts or the buildings, and instead regaled a few stories involving her personal life and during "the tour" had a short phone conversation with a third party. All in all, this is an unorganized, unprofessional, outfit about which Hardee County taxpayers might want to ask some questions. This museum is hardly a selling point for their county. There is a good story to tell here about the Florida cracker trail but this outfit fails miserably. OK, it's two dollars entry. You might say: what do you expect? Well, more than this. Go visit the SW Florida Museum at Ft Myers where you will see how a local museum should be organized and run.You can buy a combo ticket for $5 plus tax, which includes a visit to the nearby wildlife refuge, where you will see a large brown bear, ostriches, foxes, a Florida cougar, otters, gators, vultures, and so forth. That is a pretty good deal, and the creatures seemed to be well kept by professional staff. It saved our day. But, be sure to ask where it is, as this information was not volunteered at the museum.

We were in the area for Christmas and NewYears weeks. Drove over to visit museum and sign in the window said closed for the Holidays see you in January. Seems odd to be closed when the area was crowed for the holidays. The RV park we we were staying was full. ???

Great small museum with lots of interesting items, that I've never seen before. There's also a wildlife sanctuary at the back of the park. Very LOW fee for both. Had fun at both and both attendants were great. Thanks