Destin History & Fishing Museum

The Destin History & Fishing Museum is dedicated to preserving, documenting and sharing the stories of the little fishing village that was founded on the sandy shores of East Pass in the 1830s. Experience the feeling of swimming in the Gulf of Mexico with award winning examples of fish caught in Destin. This exhibit is displayed on a 100 feet of wall space depicting the Gulf floor. View a large collection of antique fishing rods and reels; the most unique is constructed of split bamboo with an original Penn Reel that belonged to Ernest Hemingway. Get an idea of life in Destin before the arrival of electricity in the 1930s. Visit the original Destin Post Office building located adjacent to the property. See the oldest seine fishing boat still in existence, The Primrose, built in 1925. Enjoy vintage photographs of early Destin settlers, boat captains and their boats, beach scenes, businesses, and much more.

The Destin History & Fishing Museum is a 501 C-3 Non-Profit run by a Board of Directors opening to the public October 1, 2005. The museum is a tourist destination and key historical repository for the Destin area. The exhibits present the history of Destin and journey from a small fishing village to a major tourist attraction.

The museum includes:

5,500 sq. ft. of exhibit space in the main building covering early Indians through development and growth of the village.

Exhibits in the outdoor Museum Historic Park Complex including the historic seine boat “Primrose”, mullet boat “Lil Jimmy”, seine net reel, and the original Old Post Office as well as the “Footprints in the Sand” memorial walkway.

Over 75 mounts of locally caught fish.

Historic photographs, artifacts, fishing equipment and documents of early Destin and the Fishing industry.
Mike Long Memorial Fish Wall featuring many fish mounts on a mural showcasing the science why the local fishing is so good.

Science of “Why Destin Sand is White”.

Historic and genealogical data on the founding families and those that shaped the growth of early Destin.

Destin Fishing Rodeo Gallery featuring “all things” Rodeo in videos, photos and artifacts.

Ways to Experience the Museum:

Scavenger Hunts for the “young” and “young at heart”.
Self-guided on your own.
Staff and/or volunteer lead personal tour.
Self-guided tour with MP3 Player and headset.
Personalized tour utilizing QR codes downloaded on your phone.

Group Tours Available:
Student tours available with focus on specific objectives.
Group tours with overview in the Rodeo Gallery, door prizes, and guided tour throughout the museum.

Hours and Admission:
Hours: The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Admission Costs: Adult $5; Seniors & Military $4; Children/Students (Age 7 Through College) $3; Children under 6 & Members are Free.