plantation tours near pensacola fl

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Ante-bellum Plantations - Pensacola Forum

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Try Bellingrath gardens , near Mobile on Dauphin Island. We really liked it.

River Road in Louisianna is what you're looking for. It is not in N.O.

Sorry, just noticed you wanted an hour's drive. River Road is definitely more than that.

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Gamble Plantation Historic State Park

Notable as the last surviving antebellum home in South Florida, the Gamble Mansion once anchored a 3,500 acre sugar plantation along the Manatee River.

Ellenton       ( 27.521906,-82.526326 )      

Flanked by three-hundred-year-old oaks, the grand entrance to the Gamble Plantation Historic State Park in Ellenton evokes Tara.

It’s an unmistakable landmark along US 301, which cuts through what was once Major Robert Gamble’s 3,500-acre sugar plantation along the Manatee River in 1843.

What remained of the plantation and Gamble’s antebellum home was purchased by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1925.

They donated it to the state with the proviso that it be designated the Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial.

About the Park

A visitor center provides context about plantations in Florida prior to the Civil War, with a particular emphasis on this historic site.

Purchase your ticket for a guided tour. A walk around the grounds reveals more background through interpretive markers, but your guide will take you inside the home.

Built of tabby, a mix of oyster shells and lime, the walls of this Greek Revival mansion are two feet thick.

The home was designed to trap cool air like a cave. Wooden downspouts funneled rainwater off the roof into an underground cistern for fresh water.

Restored to its original beauty, the mansion features period furnishings and artwork, which your guide can answer your questions about.

Because of its early conservation, it is one of the few remaining examples of a Florida antebellum plantation home statewide.

Six years of fine craftsmanship went into the construction of this mansion, which incorporated much work by enslaved laborers.

Gamble’s fortunes with sugar production fell flat before the Civil War began. In debt, he sold the property to Capt. Archibald McNeil in 1859.

According to historic documents, this plantation played a pivotal role at the end of the Civil War in assisting the escape of Confederate Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin.

Prior to the war, Benjamin was a state senator of Louisiana and the first Jewish member to serve out a term in the U.S. Congress.

Benjamin’s cousin Florida senator David Levy Yulee, was the first Jewish U.S. senator elected, but renounced the faith while in Congress to marry a Christian governor’s daughter.

He disguised himself as a French journalist, “M. Bonfal,” fled to Florida, and was briefly hid on these premises by McNeil, who arranged for a boat to Nassau for Benjamin’s escape.

From there, Benjamin sailed to Great Britain. He resumed his profession, becoming a renowned barrister in the area of commercial law, retiring in 1883.

Leaving the house, note the oak-lined entrance out front. The Manatee River was the transportation channel of its time, so this impressive entrance once reached a river landing.

A cane grinding exhibit and garden sit behind the mansion along with picnic tables and an accessible picnic pavilion.

The ruins of the Gamble sugar mill are roadside along SR 683, north of Memphis Rd.

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Eden Gardens State Park

8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year

$4 per vehicle. Please use the honor box to pay fees. Correct change is required.

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181 Eden Gardens Road Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459

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Welcome to eden gardens state park.

Eden Gardens includes 163 acres of land that were part of the historic Wesley homestead.

The focal point of this park is a beautifully renovated two-story house with elegant white columns and wrap-around porch. In a setting of moss-draped live oaks, the 1897 mansion recalls a prosperous era before the virgin forests of longleaf pine and cypress were exhausted in this part of the state. 

In 1963, Lois Maxon bought and renovated the home, creating a showplace for her family heirlooms and antiques.

Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the Wesley House, meander through the gardens, enjoy a picnic and fish off the dock in Tucker Bayou.

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11 Remarkable Southern Plantation Tours in the US

With their architecture and remarkable gardens, historic Southern plantation homes are full of old-world charm and beauty. But more importantly, they have rich stories to tell because they played significant roles in our nation’s history. Today, it’s hard to believe, but more than 50,000 plantations operated during the antebellum period.

The economy of the 17th- and 18th-century American South was due to an insatiable demand for cotton, indigo, rice, and tobacco. Though most of them folded after the abolition of slavery, many of these magnificent properties on which this economy was built still exist and are rich in history.

Most of the plantations you can visit today are located in the Deep South, including South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. The ones open to visitors tend to be more impressive and often managed by state historical societies or parks programs. If experiencing the storied history and architectural beauty of a southern plantation home is in your future, then these 11 Significant Southern Plantation Tours in America should not be missed!

Oak Alley Plantation, Vacherie, LA

This plantation was first a sugar cane plantation started by Valcour Aime, who purchased the property in 1830. He established an enslaved community that worked the plantation. But in 1836, Jacques Roman bought the Oak Alley property and began to build his own home on the lot.

Accomplished entirely by slave labor, his house was built in Greek Revival style using bricks made on-site and marble shipped in by steamboat. The self-guided tour at Oak Alley centers on the lives and living conditions of those who were owned and kept on this plantation.

While visiting, learn about life after emancipation and stop by the Blacksmith Shop, which pays tribute to Louisiana artisans and the history of forging metalwork. This plantation can be found in the 1993 film, Interview With a Vampire and Beyoncé’s 2006 music video for Deja Vu.

Belle Meade Plantation, Belle Meade, TN

What started as a simple log cabin is now a plantation outside of Nashville that serves as an educational source. Established by John Harding in 1807, “Belle Meade” translates to mean beautiful meadow in old English and French. What started as a 250-acre property would become a 5,300-acre farm that raised thoroughbred horses.

Besides a Greek Revival Mansion, it had a train station and a rock quarry and raised five generations of owners with their enslaved workers. Today the site maintains 34 acres of the original property, including the mansion and original home. It is dedicated to the conservation of Tennessee’s Victorian architecture and equestrian history.

Visitors can enjoy a tour of the property led by trained and costumed guides, who share the mansion’s history and other historic buildings like a carriage house, horse stable, and log cabin. Free wine tasting is offered at the location’s winery after tours, and there is a gift shop and restaurant for visitors.

Shirley Plantation, Charles City, VA

This location remains a working plantation and privately-owned home to this day. This is the country’s first plantation built in 1613, only six years after English settlers founded Jamestown. The “Great House” was styled initially in Anglo-Dutch architecture through continuous efforts and additions with mixed styles, creating a charismatic aesthetic.

The Hill family has been living on the property for 11 generations, keeping the estate in beautiful, restored condition. You can learn about the amazing women who kept the farm operating during the Civil War and saved it from falling by caring for wounded Union soldiers.

Tours highlight the history of the plantation, including the role of religion in colonial America, colonial education, the history of the Hill family, and the effects of the Civil War and Civil Rights against the plantation. A new slavery exhibit has also been built in the original 18th-century outbuilding.

Nottoway Plantation, White Castle, LA

This is the south’s biggest antebellum mansion. Located northwest of New Orleans and southwest of Baton Rouge, Nottoway is a Greek and Italian-style mansion full of luxurious features and details. Over the years, Nottoway Plantation went through several different owners and years of decline but managed to survive the Civil War.

It was completed in 1859 by prestigious sugar planter John Hampton Randolph. As a wealthy businessman, he wanted no expense spared when it came to the home’s design. The 53,000sqft mansion has 64 rooms with 22 massive exterior columns, 12 hand-carved Italian marble fireplaces, 15ft ceilings, and a lavish pure white oval ballroom. He also installed modern bathrooms with running water and gas lighting throughout the home.

He wanted a home that would be seen by river boaters on the Mississippi River or riders on a horse-drawn carriage traveling on Great River Road. When you visit today, costumed tour guides take you through the mansion, sharing details of the property’s history.

Sherwood Forest, Charles City, VA

This location is unique because it’s the only private home to be owned by two presidents. William Henry Harrison purchased the house under the name “Walnut Grove.” After his death, his successor John Tyler purchased the plantation in 1842, renaming it Sherwood Forest to show his outlaw position in the Whig party. He lived in the house from the time he left the office until he died in 1862.

The Tyler family has continued living here since then, keeping the house in excellent condition. The property is open for tours daily between 9 am and 5 pm. Only 30 minutes from Williamsburg, Sherwood Forest is a Greek Revivalist wonder with 25 acres of gardens, woodlands, and outbuildings both original and reconstructed.

Visit the gardens once used by Civil War troops and even learn about the ghost, the “Gray Lady,” who has allegedly haunted the Gray Room for the past 200 years, rocking back and forth in her rocking chair.

Pebble Hill Plantation, Thomasville, GA

Melville Hanna, who obtained the property in 1896, gave the estate to his daughter, Kate, in 1901, and she immediately began construction on Pebble Hill, being actively involved in its design process. She first built a log cabin that served as a school and a playroom for her children.

She then continued with neo-classical brick structures like the Plantation Store, the Waldorf, the Pump House, and the Stables Complex. Kate being a humanitarian, provided many benefits to the 40 employees who worked on the plantation. The Visiting Nurse Association offered medical services for employees and their families, and two schools were built and maintained for employees’ children.

After Kate died in 1936, her daughter Elisabeth inherited the plantation and turned it into a museum. Finally, in 1956 the Pebble Hill Foundation made the property open to the public, and they maintain and manage the estate today.

Whitney Plantation, Edgard, LA

This historical complex, which includes 12 structures, was initially called the Habitation Haydel. The Spanish Creole-style main dwelling and its surrounding buildings were built by slaves under the owner, German immigrant Ambrose Heidel, in 1752.

This plantation stands as a memorial to the slaves sacrificed on the property and others like it. The Field of Angels especially is a section of the slave memorial site, dedicated to 2,200 Louisiana slave children who died before they were three. Ultimately, thirty-nine children died at Whitney between 1823-1863, only six of which made it to five years old.

Also dedicated to the slaves of Whitney, you’ll find the Slave Quarters site. You won’t find the original buildings here because the previous owners advocated for their removal in an attempt to raise property values. The ones that stand were moved from other plantations, supporting the authenticity and educational value of the site.

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, Hermitage, TN

The President and his wife lived here for years, living off profits made from the crops that slaves worked daily. When he initially bought The Hermitage in 1804, Jackson owned nine African American slaves, and by the time he passed away in 1845, he owned 150 slaves who lived and worked on the property.

Tours here cover over 1,000 acres of farmland that used to be The Hermitage Plantation. It was a self-sustaining property, relying on slave labor to produce cotton. Although slaves could not legally wed, Jackson encouraged them to form family units to discourage slaves from escaping since it would be more difficult for an entire family to flee safely.

Take a tour of the Hermitage and walk through the mansion and its grounds, where President Jackson and his wife are buried. Costumed tour guides share a detailed history of the Jackson family, the plantation, its buildings, and original belongings that have survived on the property.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC

In 1676, Thomas Drayton, with his wife Ann, the first in the Magnolia family line that lasted for more than 300 years, established the Magnolia Plantation along the Ashley River. During the Colonial era, the plantation saw immense growth due to the cultivation of rice.

But once the American Revolution began, troops occupied the land, and Drayton and his sons became soldiers fighting the British. The American Civil War threatened the welfare of the Drayton family, the house, and the gardens, but the plantation recovered and saw additional growth of the gardens, which became the focus.

The property was saved from ruin by opening to the public and now offers guided tours taking visitors through the Drayton family home and gives a glimpse of what plantation life was like in the 19th century. This includes ten rooms that are open to the public, furnished with antiques, quilts, and Drayton family heirlooms.

Destrehan Plantation, Destrehan, LA

This Plantation in Louisiana was built in 1787 and is located 25 miles away from downtown New Orleans. It was home to successful sugar producers Marie Celeste Robin de Logny and Jean Noel Destrehan. By 1804, fifty-nine enslaved workers lived on the property, producing over 203,000 pounds of sugar.

This plantation is where one of the three trials after the 1811 Slave Revolt took place. Led by Charles Deslondes, it was one of the most significant slave revolts in US history. Visitors can tour the restored plantation, encircled by lush greenery, that looks over the Mississippi River.

Stories of the Destrehan family and those enslaved are shared through guided tours, which also feature historical exhibits and opportunities to participate in period demonstrations. Tours also include access to the Jefferson Room, displaying an authentic document signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

James Madison’s Montpelier, Montpelier Station, VA

Ambrose Madison, a slaveholder in Virginia, and his wife Frances and children arrived in 1732 at a plantation they named Mount Pleasant. James, the grandson of Ambrose, spent his early childhood here while construction on a brick Georgian house began that would later become the center of James Madison’s Montpelier.

This is the land where James Madison thought up ideas and shaped the US as the country’s 4th president. With 2,650 acres of rolling hills, horse pastures, and scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Montpelier offers insight into the Madison family history and provides a deeper look into Madison’s presidency. Exhibits on the grounds include the 1910 Train Depot, exploring the African American struggle for civil rights.

There’s also The Mere Distinction of Colour, allowing visitors to hear the stories of enslaved people at Montpelier, as told by their descendants. It recounts the events at Madison’s home and the South Yard of the land, where slaves lived and worked. The exhibition even explores how the legacy of slavery impacts race and human rights in modern America.

Speaking of tours in the US… There are plenty of them and we have some awesome estate tours to show!

Ricarda is our very definition of a wanderer. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, she’s on a race to see and experience as much of the world as possible. She packed up her life one day and has been traveling by RV ever since, scouring the states to discover the many stunning views the US has to offer! Lucky for us, she’s also one of our senior writers so we get access to a lot of worth-telling insights about her amazing adventures.

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Home » Travel Guides » United States » Florida (FL) » 15 Best Day Trips from Pensacola

15 Best Day Trips from Pensacola

Pensacola is found in stunning surroundings on the northwestern coast of Florida, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and just a few miles away from the state border with Alabama.

For beach lovers, Pensacola is one of the best destinations to visit in the southern United States, because the shoreline here is absolutely outstanding.

Much of the long coast is protected as part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, offering ample opportunity to get out of Pensacola and to experience the spectacular white sands that the region is so famous for.

There are many great day trip opportunities to beautiful beaches, sandy offshore islands and charming coastal communities.

Pensacola is the perfect base from which to experience a part of Florida that most visitors to the state will miss in favour of the better-known destinations in the south-east.

Pensacola is also perfectly located for inter-state trips, being just a short drive away from Mobile, Alabama’s coastal city and just a few hours from the diverse Louisiana city of New Orleans.

To help inspire you to visit Pensacola, here are our favourite day trips to make from the city.

1. Pensacola Beach

Pensacola is best known for the beautiful beaches that are found all along this northwestern portion of Florida’s expansive coastline.

There are many pristine beaches within easy reach of the city, but one of the best day trip opportunities from Pensacola is a trip to Pensacola Beach.

Just 10 miles to the south of the city centre, this is part of the beautiful Gulf Islands National Seashore, and you will find white sands, clear turquoise water and endless sunshine.

You can swim, relax on soft sands or take on water sports activities in the ocean.

The Pensacola Beach Boardwalk also offers visitors great restaurants, cafes and shops to enjoy while you are spending the day down at the beach.

2. Perdido Key

Perdido Key is a spectacular barrier island that’s just a few miles to the west of Pensacola.

The island itself stretches across the state border into Alabama, but the small community that’s also called Perdido Key is found on the Floridian side of the border.

The island is one of the most breathtaking to be found along the Gulf Islands National Seashore and you will quickly become enamoured with the soft, white sand and incredible vistas.

The area is also a haven for wildlife, and much of the island is protected as a wildlife reserve that helps to preserve the diverse bird population that calls the area home, while offshore you can frequently see dolphins swimming through the waters close to Perdido Key.

Navarre is a coastal town that’s located 20 miles away from the city, on the eastern side of the wide Pensacola Bay.

While the small town itself has little in the way of attractions for tourists, it’s the beaches here that are the real reason to visit.

Just across the Santa Rosa Sound from Navarre is Santa Rosa Island, the location of the Navarre Beach Marine Park.

Mile after mile of glimmering white sand is protected for public use, while off the coast there are several colourful coral reefs, which are wonderful for snorkelling and diving.

4. Fort Walton Beach

Further along the coast to the east, the city of Fort Walton Beach is one of the most interesting destinations to visit in the region.

This is a beautiful place to explore, as the city overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and the far eastern end of Santa Rosa Island.

This is a popular place for visitors, as the nearby beaches are stunning and there are plenty of restaurants and bars to be found both in the city and in the nearby tourist zone of Okaloosa Island.

5. Yellow River WMA

Away from the coastline, you can find the inland scenery of the Yellow River Wildlife Management Area.

While Pensacola is known for its beaches and islands, an often overlooked part of the region is the wild contours of the Yellow River.

This protected area is home to a huge variety of wildlife that calls the river and the wetlands here home.

Combined with the diverse scenery, this becomes a unique part of Florida to explore, and there are plenty of hiking trails, biking routes and kayak and canoeing opportunities that open the area up to outdoor lovers.

6. Fort Pickens

Fort Pickens is found at the western end of Pensacola Beach, and while the area here is absolutely stunning to see, it’s the history that’s the real attraction.

At the end of the Santa Rosa barrier island is Fort Pickens, a US Military Fort that was established in 1834 to fortify the coast of Pensacola and Florida against any invasion during a time of American expansion.

The fort saw action during the American Civil War and remained a strategic point throughout the conflict and even into World War II.

Now, there is an intriguing Discovery Centre that tells the story of Fort Pickens, and it’s possible to explore the fort and the surrounding historical area.

7. Fort Barrancas

Fort Barrancas is another important historical site that makes for a great day trip from Pensacola.

The fort is actually located across the water from Fort Pickens, as it formed part of the defense of Pensacola Bay, but on the mainland rather than the barrier islands.

The fort can trace its origins back to Spanish settlement in the area, and through the centuries it changed hands numerous times.

In more recent times, it has been converted into a museum to give visitors a chance to learn more about Pensacola’s long military history.

8. Panama City

Panama City – the city in Florida, not the capital of Panama of course – is a two-hour drive to the east of Pensacola.

The scenery around the city is superb, and the St Andrews Bay, which Panama City overlooks, is a beautiful place to take a cruise on the water, surrounded on one side by beaches and barrier islands, and looking out to the skyline on the other.

9. Apalachicola

Apalachicola is almost 200 miles away to the west of Pensacola, and although it’s a long drive from the city, it’s well worth the three-hour journey to enjoy one of the coast’s loveliest small towns.

Apalachicola overlooks the Apalachicola Bay and fishing has long been the primary industry here, although tourism may soon exceed it as more visitors arrive each year looking to experience the delights of small-town Florida.

10. Tallahassee

Also 200 miles away from Pensacola, but located inland, is Tallahassee, the state capital of Florida.

This is a must-visit city, and it makes for a great break from exploring the coastline. This lively and bustling place is a great place to learn more about Florida, by visiting the Museum of Florida and the other many institutions such as the Capitol Buildings which are found in the city.

A little closer to home, the quaint fishing community of Destin is found just an hour down the road from Pensacola. Famous for its ‘Emerald Coastline’, Destin is both an aesthetically beautiful city and a charming place, that’s full of character.

Fishing is huge here and you can enjoy some of the best seafood along the coast.

12. Mobile, Alabama

Less than an hour away to the west of Pensacola is the city of Mobile, across the state border in Alabama.

This is one of the most diverse cities along the southern coast of the United States. In Mobile you will find a huge array of restaurants and cafes that showcase the different cultures that have all merged to produce the city’s incomparable atmosphere.

Originally founded by the French, the city has at times been Spanish, British and is now uniquely American.

13. De Soto National Forest, Mississippi

To get to De Soto National Forest, you will cross two state borders, as it is located to the west of Pensacola, in Mississippi.

This is one of the best national forests in the southern states.

The vast pine forests here are distinct to this region of the Gulf Coast and the protected area is home to a huge diversity of wildlife and other flora.

There are some exceptional hiking trails waiting within the forests, which lead through this natural wonder and allow you to see the great landscapes firsthand.

You can even camp out if you fancy spending more than a day away from Pensacola.

14. Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Hattiesburg is a two-and-a-half-hour drive northwest of Pensacola and offers visitors the chance to experience Mississipi culture in a small city environment.

The city has some great galleries and museums showcasing the local history, while the surrounding area is absolutely beautiful and will make a welcome change from the scenery of the coast around Pensacola.

Enjoy the local restaurants and cafes and hang around in the evening for a drink or two.

15. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is world famous for its lively culture of music and art and is world-renowned for its excellent culinary scene.

Located a three-hour drive away from Pensacola, it’s well worth the long journey to experience one of the most exciting cities in the United States.

Stroll through the historic streets of the French Quarter, discover the origins of Jazz music and eat as much as you can in the many varied restaurants across the city.

15 Best Day Trips from Pensacola:

• Pensacola Beach
• Perdido Key
• Fort Walton Beach
• Yellow River WMA
• Fort Pickens
• Fort Barrancas
• Panama City
• Apalachicola
• Tallahassee
• Mobile, Alabama
• De Soto National Forest, Mississippi
• Hattiesburg, Mississippi
• New Orleans, Louisiana

What is the Florida Panhandle?

The areas included in the Florida Panhandle (a/k/a Northwest Florida) vary depending upon the context. For our purposes for this site, we have included the following counties and, for organizational purposes, have divided them into three regions:

Western Panhandle includes: Escambia County ( Pensacola, Century, Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key ), Santa Rosa County ( Gulf Breeze, Jay, Milton, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Pace, Oriole Beach ), Okalossa County ( Crestview, Destin, Ft. Walton Beach, Laurel Hill, Mary Ester, Niceville, Shalimar, Valparaiso, Cinco Bayou ), and the northern part of Walton County ( DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, Paxton )

Central Panhandle includes: Jackson County ( Marianna, Alford, Bascom, Campbellton, Cottondale, Graceville, Grand Ridge, Greenwood, Jacob City, Malone, Sneads ), Calhoun County ( Altha, Blountstown ), Gulf County ( Port St. Joe, Wewahitchka ), Holmes County ( Bonifay, Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon, Westville ), Washington County ( Chipley, Caryville, Ebro, Vernon, Wausau ), Bay County ( Panama City, Panama City Beach, Mexico Beach, Callaway, Lynn Haven, Parker, Springfield ), and the sourthern part of Walton County "South Walton" ( Grayton Beach, Miramar Beach, Seaside, Santa Rosa Beach, Alys Beach ).

Eastern Panhandle includes: Madison County ( Madison, Greenville, Lee ), Taylor County ( Perry, Dekle Beach, Hampton Springs, Keaton Beach ), Jefferson County ( Monticello ), Leon County ( Tallahassee ), Wakulla County ( Sopchoppy, St. Marks, Crawfordville(uninc.) , Gadsden County ( Chattahoochee, Havana, Quincy ), Liberty County ( Bristol ), and Franklin County ( Apalachicola, Carrabelle, St. George Island, Eastpoint ).

Kingsley Plantation: Moving tale of slavery unique to Florida

By: Author Bonnie Gross

Posted on Last updated: March 3, 2024

If you have an image of slavery, there’s a good chance it’s from “Gone With the Wind” or “Twelve Years a Slave.”

But there is a Florida story of slavery that is neither.

Unlike the rest of the South, Florida’s original plantation development was under Spanish rule, and slavery in a Spanish colony had different rules.

The story unfolds at the Kingsley Plantation, a national historic site in an unspoiled coastal wilderness near Jacksonville. The Kingsley Plantation is the oldest plantation house in Florida.

Kingsley Plantation is physically beautiful and emotionally evocative. It’s part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve , which wins the prize as Florida’s most obscure national park.

The Kingsley Plantation a well-preserved 1798 plantation house and remnants of 25 slave cabins, neatly aligned in an arc. The grounds overlook a scenic salt march on the Fort George River.

The drive to the plantation follows a narrow road winding through stunning live oak forests.

But it is the people and their stories that you’ll remember, particularly if you take the time to listen to the excellent audio tour, which is available free . To do so, you check out specially programmed iPhones at the Kingsley Plantation visitor center. The iPhone program knows where you are on the grounds and plays the appropriate section when you arrive at the corresponding site. It is professionally acted and written and brings the people and stories alive. It’s one of the best audio tours I’ve heard.

While there are interesting stories of earlier and later residents, the tour focuses on Zephaniah Kingsley and his wife Anna Madgigine Jai, who lived on the plantation from 1814 to 1837.

Zephaniah, a successful slave trader, merchant and planter in Spanish Florida, bought Anna, born a princess in Senegal, as a slave in Havana, Cuba, in 1806. She was 13 years old. By the time she turned 18, they were married and had three children. She, however, was still a slave and so were the children. (Slavery is determined by the mother’s status.) Zephaniah freed her and their children in 1811.

This family moved to the Kingsley Plantation in 1814, where, still under Spanish rule, Anna as a free Black woman was able to become her husband’s business partner, own her own plantation and, strangely enough, own her own slaves.

But Zephaniah didn’t marry only Anna. He maintained a polygamous household with three other Black women as “co-wives.”

The Spanish had a different attitude toward slavery than Americans in the South at the time. Evidence suggests they were no less cruel and there is no question slavery is evil regardless of how it is implemented. The Spanish saw slavery as a temporary status from which you could buy or earn your way to freedom.

The tour can tell us a lot about Zephaniah because he wrote widely about his philosophy of slavery and campaigned for a system where people were judged by class, not color. He fervently defended slavery (which made him very rich) but also believed society should recognize a class of free blacks, like his wife Anna.

We know little, however, about the attitudes of Anna, who survived the brutal Middle Passage and slave markets. What we have of her are official records – the papers that freed her, records of land grants and records showing she bought and sold slaves.  (Read the text of Anna Kingsley’s documents. )

When Spain lost control of Florida in 1821, the same laws that stripped liberties from American slaves now applied to Anna and the couple’s children. Eventually, the restrictions became intolerable (Zephaniah Kingsley called them “a system of terror”) and in 1832, Anna, two sons and 50 freed slaves moved to Haiti, a free Black republic, to found a plantation there.

Two of their daughters, however, stayed in Jacksonville and married wealthy white men.

There’s more to the saga – I won’t spoil your visit by telling you all the eye-opening twists. But if you got the idea that the slaves were happy and well-treated on the Kingsley Plantation, the tour makes it clear that slavery is slavery, and it is evil in any form. There are stories, for example, of children being sold away from their families on Kingsley Plantation and the harsh work regimen required.

Walking around the beautiful plantation grounds thick with live oaks, one spots two or three trees whose girth suggests great age.

You can stand under a live oak that is probably 400 years old and look at those slave cabins, knowing this tree witnessed the whole saga. Did slave children play here in the shade of the same tree under which you stand? Where are their descendants now?

The Kingsley Plantation is moving and thought provoking.

Given their story, how could Zephaniah and Anna justify owning people? How can human beings have such blind spots? And do we have similar ones?

Planning your visit to Kingsley Plantation

The Kingsley Plantation is convenient if you are visiting Jacksonville. It’s within the city limits (35 minutes from downtown) -– or Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach (40 minutes from Fernandina Beach).

Kingsley Plantation , 11676 Palmetto Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32226 Phone: 904-251-3537. Open Wednesday to Sunday, from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., except on Juneteenth, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. Admission is free. Tours of the plantation building are available at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, but you should reserve in advance: (904-251-3537; alternate phone 904-251-3626).

Read more about the  Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

Near the Kingsley Plantation in Jacksonville

The Kingsley Plantation is one site within the 46,000-acre Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve , where you can explore salt marshes, coastal dunes, and hardwood hammocks. There are bike trails, hiking trails, additional historic sites.

The Timucuan Preserve has some great places to  kayak , and  Kayak Amelia  runs trips and rents kayaks in the region. Their trips range from exploring the salt marsh near their headquarters at 13030 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, to paddling to the Kingsley Plantation. Kayak Amelia also offers two popular Segway tours.  People rave about these trips on TripAdvisor.

What else is nearby?

• The Talbot Islands: Camp in Florida’s historic low country
• Beach camping: Huguenot Memorial Park in Jacksonville
• Visiting Jacksonville: This neighborhood is a charming getaway

Visit the website for  Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

All articles on FloridaRambler.com are original, produced exclusively for our readers and protected by U.S. Copyright law. Any use or re-publication without written permission is against the law. Read more: floridarambler.com/licensing

This page contains affiliate links from which Florida Rambler may earn a small commission if a purchase is made. This revenue supports our mission to produce quality stories about the authentic Florida destinations at no cost to our readers.

The author, Bonnie Gross, travels with her husband David Blasco, discovering off-the-beaten path places to hike, kayak, bike, swim and explore. Florida Rambler was founded in 2010 by Bonnie and fellow journalist Bob Rountree, two long-time Florida residents who have spent decades exploring the Florida outdoors. Their articles have been published in the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, The Guardian and Visit Florida.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Historic Pensacola tours--establish a tradition. Travel back in time on a climate controlled 1930 Ford transit bus or another vehicle (not a trolley) when you visit Pensacola. Take a seat and let yourself be taken to places where history was made. We offer tours for students, families, adults, couples, and groups. We do it all--beach tours, ghost tours, historic tours, and local points of interest. All bus tours include insightful commentary, images, music, and sometimes interviews on your sightseeing adventure. We also offer Hop-on Hop-off, haunted house investigations, and walking cemetery tours. Become transfixed, absorbed, engaged, and most of all, entertained. You'll be glad you went retro!

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Where to visit orange groves & farms in florida.

Family trip to the Showcase of Citrus in Clermont.

Tour a citrus plant, enjoy some orange picking or grab some souvenirs at one of these florida orange grov es.  .

By Gary McKechnie

There’s no perfume as sweet as the fragrance of citrus blossoms, and few sights are as beautiful as a citrus grove bursting with oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, and tangerines.

A family-owned citrus business

- Carrie McLaren

Shop at Farmer John’s Country Store at Clermont’s Showcase of Citrus for fresh, locally grown oranges, lemons and other citrus fruit, as well as jellies, jams, honey and more.

- Peter W. Cross for VISIT FLORIDA

Keep in mind that some orchard operations are closed off-season (and sometimes on weekends), so be sure to check in advance before you visit one of these orange farms in Florida.

Also, inquire when their harvest will be at its peak because there’s nothing quite like seeing a citrus grove going (and growing) strong.

For an in-depth feature on citrus seasons and Florida orange facts , storage, juicing, and more, read the VISIT FLORIDA FAQ About Florida Citrus .

Meanwhile, here are suggestions to help you find orange groves in Florida, as well as stores, shippers, and other citrus-related attractions.

Citrus Tower Orange Grove Clermont

- Florida Department of Citrus

Citrus Stand Clermont

- Quentin Bacon

A Sampling of Citrus Grove Locations in Florida

Al’s Family Farms 2001 N. Kings Highway Fort Pierce, 34951 (772) 460-0556 (800) 544-3366

Bob Roth's New River Groves 5660 Griffin Road Davie, 33314 (954) 581-8630 (800) 227-0203

Boyett's Grove 4355 Spring Lake Brooksville, 34601 (352) 796-2289

Davidson Brothers 248 South Beach Street Daytona Beach, 32114 (386) 252-7462

Davidson of Dundee 28421 Highway 27 North Dundee, 33838 863-439-2284 800-654-0647

Dundee Groves PO Box 829, Dundee, 33838 (800) 294-2266

Florida Orange Groves Winery 1500 Pasadena Avenue South St. Petersburg, 33707 (727) 347-4025 (800) 338-7923

Hale Indian River Groves 9250 US Highway 1 Wabasso, 32970 (772) 581-9915

Joshua Citrus 4135 SE County Road 760 Arcadia, 34266 (863) 494-6166 (800) 749-8219

Mixon Fruit Farms 2525 27th Street East Bradenton, 34208 (941) 748-5829 (800) 608-2525

The Orange Shop 18545 N. US Highway 301 Citra, 32113 (800) 672-6439

Pell's Citrus and Nursery 400 Doyle Road Osteen, 32764 (407) 322-3873 (800) 459-8897

Poinsettia Groves 1481 US Hwy 1 Vero Beach, 32960 (800) 327-8624

Policicchio Groves 5780 North Courtenay Parkway Merritt Island, 32953 (321) 452-4866

Reed's Groves 16750 SE County Road 25 Weirsdale, 32195 (352) 821-2915 (877) 248-2575

Ridge Island Groves 6000 Old Polk City Road Haines City, 33844 (863) 422-0333 and 320 Highway 27 South Clermont, 34714 (352) 242-1511 (800) 493-7374

Robert Is Here 19200 SW 344 Street Homestead, 33034 (Florida City) (305) 246-1592

Showcase of Citrus 5010 U.S. Highway 27 Clermont, 34714 (352) 394-4377

Spyke's Grove 7250 Griffin Road Davie, 33314 (954) 583-0426

Sun Groves 3393 SR 580 Safety Harbor, 34695 (727) 726-8484 and 4030 Madison Street New Port Richey (727) 849-8959 (800) 672-6438

Sun Harvest Citrus 14601 Six Mile Cypress Parkway Fort Myers, 33912 (239) 768-2686 (800) 743-1480

White's Red Hill Groves 7210 Ronald Reagan Blvd Sanford, Fl 32773 407-885-0272 (800) 743-1480  

PLACES TO REMEMBER

Fort Pierce

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Go Snorkeling in Pensacola!

Visit one of our great snorkel spots in Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound. Snorkel in shallow water, about 3 – 4 feet deep. The trip includes snorkel gear and instruction. Trip may take place on our sailboat or powerboat, and lasts about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

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Soak up the sights of Pensacola by water! We offer a variety of Jolly Dolphin scenic bay boat tours, dolphin cruises and more, private and shared, for up to 28 passengers.

About Jolly Sailing Pensacola Bay Cruises

Come see dolphins play on a Pensacola Beach dolphin cruise in Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound. Jolly Sailing is a family-owned company established in 2011 in Pensacola Beach, Florida. It all began with the Jolly Mon, our 27′ American Mariner Sailboat, with sailing, snorkeling, and sunset cruise.

We currently have several boat options to choose from, including the Original Jolly Mon! In addition, we have added Jolly Roger, a 24′ powerboat tritoon, Jolly’Ventures, a 26′ powerboat tritoon, and Jolly Dolphin, a 42′ powerboat tritoon passenger vessel that carries up to 28 guests. COMING SOON SUMMER 2024 we are launching Pensacola Beach’s NEWEST Dolphin Cruise boat, a brand new, custom built 49 passenger 38’catamaran! We offer a wide variety of excursions, both private and shared, for guests to enjoy.

Over the years, we have been pleased to welcome several experienced, friendly, and informative captains and crew members to our team. Together we strive to provide a safe, relaxing, and entertaining excursion for our guests. It’s not just a job; it’s a lifestyle that we enjoy sharing with visitors to Pensacola Beach and residents of the Pensacola Bay area. We love meeting guests from all over the world and sharing our knowledge of boating, dolphins and local wildlife, as well as Pensacola history and attractions with them. Join us on a tour today!

Cruise Into Our Five-Star Dolphin Cruise in Pensacola!

I have been coming to Pensacola for many many years and I've been on almost every dolphin Cruise in this area. We had a blessed time. So many dolphins and a beautiful sunset. Captain Mike was funny and knowledgeable and his first mate Paul was on point with drinks and very friendly.

We took the sunset dolphin cruise which exceeded our expectations. There were plenty of dolphins, a great sunset, and the crew was enthusiastic and fun. The price was more than reasonable, the seating comfortable. Overall the experience was a very relaxing excursion. Highly recommend Jolly Sailing.

Excellent trip. Great information received on the dolphins we watched frolicking in the ocean. Captain Mike and Riley were full of information with great humor and refreshing "beverages" that made the trip even more enjoyable. Highly recommend. Great price!

This was a great trip and an amazing dolphin encounter that exceeded my expectations. Captain Mike shared lots of interesting dolphin facts in an entertaining fashion. First Mate Riley was friendly and made us feel welcome. I highly recommend this cruise!