Henry Morrison Flagler Museum

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1 Whitehall Way at Cocoanut Row (Map)
Palm Beach, FL 33480-4065
561-655-2833

Sweeping guests into the opulence and luxury of America's Gilded Age, the one-time family home to Henry Morrison Flagler offers a charming, intimate portrait of Florida's evolution. To design the house, Flagler commissioned John Carrere and Thomas Hastings, known in the Beaux Arts era for their French Renaissance style. Spread over two floors and spanning 55,000 square feet, Whitehall is decorated in a wide range of styles, from Louis XIV to Swiss chalet. Louis Comfort Tiffany, better known for his brilliance in glass artistry, is among the featured painters. As in most rooms, the ceilings are carved in intricate detail. French Renaissance splendor graces the main dining room, which features a fireplace bearing sea motif carvings and satyrs. (February 5, 2005)

>> Related story: Tycoon's lush railcar is featured in a new addition at the Flagler

Historical background
Florida's history is inexorably intertwined with railroad magnate Henry Morrison Flagler. In 1902, Whitehall was built as a wedding gift for Flagler's third wife, Mary Lily Kenan. Though Flagler died in 1913 at age 83, the house remained a family home until 1925, when it was sold to a group of investors. The group made additions to the house, adding a 10-story tower and turning it into a hotel. In 1959, Flagler's granddaughter, Jean Flagler Matthews, purchased the home. One year later, she established the Flagler Museum. Matthews led the push to remove the hotel's tower in 1963, restoring Whitehall to its original appearance.

Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., noon - 5 p.m. Sun. Closed Mondays and major holidays


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DETAILS

Admissions Adults: $15 Youth ages 13-18: $8 Children 6-12: $3 Children under 6 are free Attractions Museums, Historic Sites Museums Historical Homes Parking Free lot, Free private parking Web site www.flagler.org Wheelchair Access first floor is wheelchair accessible

Important: Hours, prices and other information can change frequently. Please call ahead to confirm information.