The Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts in Barberville, Florida was founded in 1976. Lynn and I first went there when our kids were little – sometime in the 1980s. It’s grown a lot since then and the non-profit organization that runs it has kept it up and added many more buildings and displays than I remember.
Three of us from the retired chapter of the Photography Interest Group went over on November 19th. The centerpiece of the campus is the original Barberville High School.
The Schoolroom – This is in the Barberville Central High School, built in 1909. It was added to the National Register for Historic Places in 2002. The window light and the wooden floors and desks were lovely the morning we were there.
The photos in this post are from just four of the buildings / displays that you can tour. There are 22 in all. I have photos of several more that I haven’t processed yet. As I finish them, I’ll add them to this Barberville set on Flickr.
The store below was originally at the turpentine operation in Bakersburg, Florida. It was moved to Barberville in 1984.
The H. L. Wynn Country Store – Get your insurance and your livestock feed, all in one place!
The only building at Barberville that isn’t from Florida is the log cabin. It was built by Mr. Jim Lewis in 1875 in southern Georgia, and moved to Barberville in 1992.
Log Cabin Porch – complete with laundry!
The blacksmith’s shop was built in 1987. The Florida Artist Blacksmith Association uses it for their monthly meetings and to work on their projects.
Tools of the trade – I love the huge bellows and the overwhelming number of tools available.
Check out the Pioneer Village web site for much more information. They have many special events scheduled including their upcoming annual “Florida Christmas remembered”. I think it’s worth another visit back to see the decorations.
Barberville is only about an hour from Orlando – right where SR 40 crosses US 17. It’s well worth the trip. If you have kids, they’ll like the exhibits, demonstrations, and animals. Adults will enjoy seeing how Floridians used to live. And as a photographer, it’s another “target rich environment”.
Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Now – go make some photos!
©2014, Ed Rosack. All rights reserved.
Hi Ed! Just came across this site and wanted to say thank you, this is an awesome resource for finding interesting things to photograph in Florida! Your work is appreciated, keep it up!
You’re very welcome, Jason. I’m glad you like it and thanks for stopping by.
I feel the same way. Thank you for your helpful information and wonderful images! I always enjoy reading your blog and finding out about new places to explore.
Thanks so much, Dorothy. I write the blog mostly for myself, but it’s very encouraging when other people read and like it!