About Cracker Country

Cracker Country is a rural Florida living history museum located on the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Set on four beautiful acres of live oak trees, the museum includes original structures built in Florida between 1870-1912. The buildings were relocated from around the state, restored, and furnished to represent aspects of home life, transportation, and commerce as it was in many rural communities just before the turn of the 20th century.

Cracker Country was founded in 1978 by Doyle Carlton, Jr. and his wife, Mildred Woodbery Carlton on four acres of property inside the Florida State Fairgrounds. The museum debuted at the 1979 Florida State Fair with just two buildings: the 1885 Carlton House and the 1894 Smith House. Over the next decade, the Carltons continued to partner with the Florida State Fairgrounds and expanded the museum to include a one-room schoolhouse, general store, railroad depot, church, post office and more historic structures.

The term “cracker” dates at least as far back as Shakespeare, who coined it in the play King John. From the early 19th century it was used to describe the hardy, self-reliant and often poor pioneers who migrated from the north in search of a better life in the harsh Florida wilderness. Later, the term became associated with Florida’s rugged cattlemen.

Cattle, descended from stock left behind by the Spanish, roamed freely in the Florida woodlands. Cow hunters used whips to flush the cattle from the underbrush and drive them to ports for shipment north or to Cuba. Whips were not used to strike the cattle. They were popped in the air to make a “crack” sound to get the cattle moving. The sound traveled great distances, making the whip an essential communication tool between cowmen. A commonly used 120 mile cattle drive route across the south central part of the state is known today as the Florida Cracker Trail.

General Store

The Cracker Country General Store, located in the Rainey building, offers guests a wide selection of merchandise.

Caboose

Caboose number 0583, built in 1917, was one of the last wooden-sided cabooses on the Atlantic Coastline Rail.

Terry Store

he J.R. Terry Store was built in the 1800s by the grandfather of Florida’s Governor Lawton Chiles. In 1920, it was bought by Jack Roundtree Terry and his wife, Maude Sparkman Terry.

Smoke House

The smoke house was a very important aspect of rural communities. Because refrigerators had not yet been invented, the smoke house was the main resource used for keeping meat fresh.

School House

The school house was built in 1912 in the historical town of Castalia in DeSoto County, and served as a school from 1912 until 1937. The building was constructed from local heart-pine on the site of the old log-cabin school house.

Rainey Store

The Rainey Store was built in the 1880s in Ona, FL, one of Hardee County’s oldest settlements. In 1911 a railroad was built through Hardee County, and Ona became a major posting, shipping, and receiving point for western and central Florida.

Post Office

Cracker Country’s post office is an accurate representation of post offices from the 1900s, thanks to the donation of post office artifacts from across the state. The building is constructed of cypress lumber and was originally located in Cumpressco in the Green Swamp near Webster, Fl.

Okahumpka Train Depot

In 1898 the Okahumpka Train Depot was built to serve a section of the Henry B. Plant Railroad system that stretched from Tampa to Savannah.

Murphy Kitchen

Murphy kitchen was built in the 1800s in what used to be DeSoto County. The kitchen was part of the childhood home of one of Florida’s senators, Henry Murphy. Senator Murphy is known for the Murphy Act, which was created during the Great Depression.

Kitchen Garden

Located behind the Carlton House, the kitchen garden is a smaller version of those maintained by rural Florida settlers. Over 100 years ago it took a garden approximately one half-acre in size to feed a family of six.

Govenors Inn

Governors Inn, formerly located in Lily, Fl, was built in 1912. The building, which originally functioned as the community post office and general store, was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Pat Wilson of Frostproof, Fl.

Corn Crib Barn

This authentic corn crib is built out of cypress logs and was used by Florida pioneers to protect their corn and their animals. Today, the animal pens are home to Cracker Country’s different breeds of livestock.

Church

The Church was built in the early 1900s in Gretna, FL. After the railroads came to Florida in the late 1800s, Gretna sprang up as a turpentine town north of Tallahassee, in an area where black and white families were settling.

Blacksmith Shop

The Blacksmith Shop, although not an original building, is an accurate replica of a 1900s smithy. Visitors to Cracker Country can see a real blacksmith practicing his trade, just as it was done in the days of Florida’s pioneers.

Cane Mill

Before the simplicity of a trip to the grocery store to purchase a bottle of syrup, communities relied on the cane mill and syrup kettle. Oxen and mules would power the mill to squeeze juice from the stalks of sugar cane.

Carlton House

The Carlton House was built in 1885 by Albert and Martha (McEwen) Carlton. Originally located in Hardee County, just four miles west of Wauchula, the house functioned as home to the Carltons and their ten children.

Cemetery

The cemetery next to the church serves as a representation of a standard cemetery from the early 1900s. The tombstones are originally from an abandoned cemetery near Okahumpka, Fl.

The application process is highly competitive, and not all applicants can be accepted. When reviewing applications, we consider:

Facility Rentals

For facility, grounds, or building rentals, email Sales Manager Cynthia Burgos.

Email Facility Rentals
Photo & Film Rentals

For commercial and personal photography/film facility rentals, email Director Cindy Horton.

Email Photo & Film Rentals
Donations & Antiques

To donate antiques, email a short description and photo to Director Cindy Horton.

Email Donations & Antiques

Take a curriculum-based trip with young learners, offering unique experiences for preschoolers, elementary schoolers, and beyond.

Plan a Field Trip

Have questions? Send us an email and we will get back to you shortly, or give us a call:

Email: Museum@FloridaStateFair.com
Cracker Country Phone: (813) 627-4225
Florida State Fairgrounds Phone: (813) 621-7821
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 11766 Tampa, FL 33680
Address: 4800 HWY 301 N. Tampa, FL 33610

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What is Cracker Country?

Cracker Country is a rural Florida history museum located on the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Set on four beautiful acres of live oak trees, the museum includes 13 original structures built in Florida between 1870-1912. The buildings were relocated from around the state, restored and furnished to represent aspects of home life, transportation and commerce as it was in many rural communities just before the turn of the 20th century. The museum focuses on providing opportunities to learn about the daily lives of late 19th century Floridians, through hands-on school field trips, tours, special events and the annual Florida State Fair. Our programs incorporate historically dressed interpreters, folk life demonstrations and preservation of our historic resources.

Where should I park for Cracker Country events?

All field trip groups and homeschools use the Orient Road entrance. For public event parking, please refer to the specific event for details.

Are service animals allowed inside the museum?

Cracker Country follows the guidance of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Only service animals that are trained to perform specific tasks for an individual with a disability are allowed in the public outdoor areas and buildings.

Can I bring food and drink onto the museum grounds?

Cracker Country welcomes you to bring a picnic lunch for field trips, homeschool days and public events. For the annual Fair, one of the best parts is enjoying the delicious food! Outside food and drinks aren’t allowed, except for guests with special dietary needs, food allergies, baby food/formula, or individually wrapped snacks for kids.

Can I host a private event at Cracker Country?

Yes! The museum is available for rental as an event venue. Email museum@floridastatefair.com for details.

Do you accept donations of antiques?

Authentic items made pre-1910 are considered on an individual basis. We are only able to accept items for which we have an immediate need. To submit an item for consideration, please send pictures and a detailed description to museum@floridastatefair.com.

Do you have a gift shop?

Yes! The Cracker Country General Store features a wide selection of historical toys, games, candy, books, 1890s reproduction items and much more. The General Store accepts cash, major credit cards and payment apps. Proceeds from sales in the General Store help support Cracker Country’s education programs.

How can I visit Cracker Country?

Cracker Country is open daily during the annual Florida State Fair in February. The remainder of the year, the museum is open exclusively for field trips, homeschool events and featured public events. Learn about our upcoming events here.

How do I book a group tour or a field trip?

Learn more about our educational field trip programs here. Cracker Country welcomes groups of 15 or more of any age for Florida history tours. Learn more about group tours here.

May I take photos/videos at Cracker Country?

Personal photos and videos are allowed throughout the museum buildings and grounds. Professional photography/videography is prohibited during all public events. For more information on booking the museum for professional or commercial photography or videography, please email us at Museum@FloridaStateFair.com.