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Florida Through the Ages
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Learn About Florida’s Roles From the Ice Age
to the Space Age
By Mary Brotherton
WWhile the Windover exhibit might be considered the crowning jewel at this museum, more treasures await. Vignettes that represent other area museums could be called teasers, as they whet the appetite to learn more about Brevard County’s history. Whether taking a docent- or self-guided tour, visitors are transported from Florida’s Ice Age, through the Space Age, and into our vast universe, which we’re just beginning to learn about. Until recently, this museum fell under the purview of the Florida Historical Society. Now, the museum, and its 22 acres, which include hiking trails through three distinctive environments, is being operated by the City of Cocoa. Dedicated volunteers continue to work at the museum and maintain the trails.
It’s an honor.
Bob Mink, who has been a docent since 2016, said, “There’s such a rich history in this place. It’s my honor to show it to as many people as I can.”
Gregg Stoll has been volunteering since early 2021 and does a variety of tasks at the museum.
He said, “As we’re in the process of securing a lease agreement with the City of Cocoa, right now, we can’t take donations or charge admission. We don’t have a computer and can’t effectively communicate with our volunteer base, but those of us who are here feel committed to not only keeping the museum open, we want to revive it and make it a real asset to our community.”
Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science exhibits include a replica of the largest mastodon in North America and other Florida Ice Age mammals, like the Giant Ground Sloth. Visitors walk through
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If you’re planning a visit to Orlando, Florida, remember this area has much to offer your family, in addition to theme parks, including some outstanding adventures into history and science that won’t cost more than the short drive to Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science. This is the only location, other than the Department of Anthropology at Florida State University, that has original artifacts from the Windover Archeological site. Here, you can glimpse a community of hunter/gatherers that predates the use of pottery and later, the evolution of farming.
time as they learn about Paleolithic humans, Florida settlers, Cracker cowboys, and monumental strides Brevard residents made in the Civil Rights movement. They journey with courageous pioneering astronauts from Earth to the moon and beyond our galaxy through otherworldly photos taken by the Hubble telescope.
We’ve got a lead on some interesting things.
“We’re hoping to add to the Aerospace section,” Bob said. “We’ve
got a lead on some interesting things that people want to donate to the museum.” Gregg said, “As soon as we can come to an agreement with the city, we plan to do more with the museum.” This museum can enhance any homeschool curriculum and provide outdoor opportunities for learning, in addition to the historical displays inside.
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