Explore the History of Clermont at the Village Museum
Historic Village Museum
If you have not yet visited the Historic Village of Clermont, Florida, it should be on the top of your list of historical things to do in Central Florida. The Historic Village is located at the corner of West Avenue and Osceola Street. This historical area was established and is maintained through a joint effort of the South Lake County Historical Society and the City of Clermont.
The Historic Village Museum makes for a great outing with family or friends. There are a few different areas to visit, making it easy to turn it into a day adventure with a picnic lunch and rich Clermont history.
- Townsend House
- An Outhouse
- Train Depot (the original)
- Herring Hooks Schoolhouse
- Cooper Memorial Library
- Quonset Hut WWII Museum
- Kern House
Each of the buildings shares a snippet of history and why it is significant to Clermont. Some of the buildings have been moved from their original locations into the Historical Village.
The Townsend House
A must-see at the Clermont Historical Village is the Townsend House. The Townsend House is Clermont’s most historical home. Its original location was off of today’s Highway 50. The front of the home faced Highland Avenue and the back overlooked Crystal Lake. However, in 2002 the home which is now a historical landmark was moved to its current location. James and Sally Townsend were the original owners and built their home around 1895 making them the first African-American couple to make their home in Clermont.
As Clermont’s oldest home the Townsend House is one to explore.
The Outhouse
The Outhouse was an Eagle Scout project. It was built to recreate a traditional outhouse, and placed between the Townsend House and Kern House. All of the materials were donated and additional funds were also raised. It’s a perfect addition to the Historical Village!
The Train Depot
The original Train Depot is the center of the Historic Village. It was built around 1925 and is still in its original location. There have been updates made to include restrooms, a concession, a picnic area, and a meeting room. This is also the main office of the Historic Village.
The Train Depot has distinct Russian architecture details. This is because the man who purchased it, Peter Demens, was Russian. He also owned a sawmill in Longwood.
The Herring Hooks Schoolhouse
This is the most recent addition to the Historical Village. The one-room schoolhouse is a replica of the original. When it was first built, the original Herring Hooks Schoolhouse was used as a hunting lodge. Once it was converted into a schoolhouse, Mrs. Thomas J. Hooks was the first teacher.
The Cooper Memorial Library
Built in 1914 the Cooper Memorial Library was originally located downtown near the current city hall. It went through a restoration and was moved to the historical village in 2009. It’s now a local/world history museum.
The Quonset Hut WWII Museum
In 2012 an original Quonset Hut was renovated to be home to a WWII museum. Quonset huts were originally used for bunks, the mess hall, offices, and other inside activities. The artifacts inside this museum have all been donated by local veterans.
The Kern House
The Kern House, built around 1885, was relocated in 2006 from Montrose Street to the Historic Village. Alexander and Eleonora Kern, the original owners, relocated to Central Florida with their two children from New Jersey. Mr. Kern was know for building a water tank in his backyard, pumping water by hand, from Crystal Lake into his home for their water supply.
The Little Library
The Historical Village recently became a location point for the nonprofit Little Library program. This literacy program provides book trading points throughout communities in an effort to encourage a love for reading. So, when you plan your visit to the Historical Village, make sure to bring a book or two that you can trade out for a book you haven’t read yet.
The Historic Village is Open for Tours
- Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Private tours can be arranged.)
There is no charge to tour the Historic Village. However, it is suggested that people over 12 give a donation of $5. So pack a lunch and enjoy the weather and take in some Clermont history.
Other Fun Places to Explore in Clermont, FL
The small city of Clermont is growing fast. People are moving to the area from all over the country for various reasons. Many athletes are drawn here because the natural landscape provides top-notch training grounds for physical fitness. In fact, Clermont has received a pretty athletic slogan due to the athletes it attracts “Choice of Champions.”
Downtown Clermont
The cities growth has provoked some attention to be made in some of the areas of Clermont that were beginning to lose their popularity. Places like downtown Clermont are receiving a facelift and attracting local businesses once again.
Suncreek Brewery
Hang out like a local at Suncreek Brewery. This local craft brewery is one of a kind with an industrial vibe and a family-friendly environment. Locals love swinging by after work to grab a beer with friends and enjoy a slice of pizza. Its location in the historic downtown area of Clermont is ideal. The Erica Diaz Team agrees that it is a great addition to the revitalization of the downtown area.
Citrus Tower
The Citrus Tower is an iconic Clermont monument. It was built in the ’50s during the huge citrus industry boom. It’s still a very special piece to Clermont and it recently got a little sweeter with the addition of a coffee shop on the bottom level. It’s visible from many parts of Clermont. Take a ride to the top of the tower and enjoy a coffee from Citrus Coffee Co. while you look out across the town for as far as the eye can see.
The Erica Diaz Team – Explore the History of Clermont at the Historic Village Museum
If you’re considering moving to Clermont or a surrounding area, you should visit the Historical Village. It’s a great place to learn some local history.
We have some amazing homes for sale in the Clermont area. We would love to chat and show you around!
