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Flagler Logo Henry Flagler Museum : Palm Beach, Florida : Trip Report
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INFO
Hours: Sunday: Noon-5:00p
Tue - Sat: 10:00a-5:00p
Tickets: Adults $10.00
Children $3.00

Whitehall Flagler Museum

Henry Flagler, 1830-1913, founded Standard Oil in 1870 with John D. Rockefeller and Samuel Andrews. In his 50s, Flagler became interested in Florida and by his death, Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway (FEC.) linked the entire east coast of Florida, from Jacksonville to Key West, establishing agriculture and tourism as Florida's leading industries. Hotels Flagler built along the route of the FEC established St. Augustine, Daytona, Palm Beach and Miami as resorts known the world over.

In 1902, Flagler built the Gilded Age estate, Whitehall, for his wife Mary Lily Kenan in Palm Beach. Architects Carrére and Hastings designed Whitehall in the Beaux-Arts style made popular at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. In traditional Gilded Age fashion, the New York design firm Pottier & Stymus designed the interiors of Whitehall as a series of period rooms.

The house was pretty cool, but we found it less interesting than Vizcaya in Miami. The decorating was very typical of the period and very elaborate. It's still well worth a visit, as long as you don't travel too far. We found the drive up in the rain with two cranky kids made it not feel entirely worth it. To top it off, the cafe RAN OUT OF FOOD! How does that happen?

The museum allows photography inside but only with no flash. Since it was overcast outside it was difficult to work with only available light.
Click on thumbnail for a full-size picture

Arriving at Whitehall on a wet dreary day.
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Huge vase out front.
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Detail above the portico.
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Looking back toward the parking lot.
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Huge entry room.
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Bust of Caesar?
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I like this Art Deco clock.
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The ceilings were plaster and painted to look like wood.
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The old fashioned lighting made everything in this room look yellow.
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Center courtyard.
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Statue in the middle.
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Ornate hallway with secret hidden doorway.
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Ballroom.
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The recent addition which is now where Tea is served.
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Fine silverware.
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One of the many sets of dishes.
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The casual dining room.
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The more formal dining room.
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The drawing room.
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Comments From People Like You!
Henry Flagler Museum : Palm Beach, Florida 2005		Add a Comment add a comment
andrea s. hodge
14-Aug-2006 11:58
    I have been to your museum several times and find it very interesting and educational.
    I was wondering if you would like to have my extensive collection of Madam Alexander dolls since she was a part time resident of Palm Beach.  I met her and she was very kind and informative when she suggested how I could show my dolls.  
    I am moving and have no room for them in my new  apartment.  I would like to think that they would be shown and not stored away.  It would be a donation, of course.

                                                                   Andrea S. Hodge
                                                                   P.O.Box 14847
                                                                   N.Palm Bch, FL
becky
14-Apr-2006 02:36
i served champayne there for a short period of time about 16 years ago & i ve never seen a more beautiful place since

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