Located on the shores of the intracoastal just outside Palm Beach, Florida, the Flagler Museum is a remarkable and beautiful estate. We could not help but get the feeling of being transported to a French or Italian Villa while enjoying this gem in South Florida. Every detail is exquisite, and it’s definitely a must-see.
Henry Flagler originally had the 75-room, over 100,000-square-foot mansion built in 1902 as a wedding present for his wife, Mary. Whitehall, as it became known, was the winter home for the couple. They were avid entertainers, and you can see such names as Liberace in the guestbook on display.
After Flagler’s death in 1913, the estate was rarely used by Mary. Upon her death, it was left to her niece who sold the property to a group of investors. They added an 11-story extension with 250 rooms and used it as a hotel from 1925-1959.
The investors ran into financial trouble and in 1959 the building risked being destroyed. Upon hearing this, Henry Flagler’s granddaughter Jean Flagler Matthews came to its rescue purchasing the estate. She had the added floors removed and restored it to its former glory. It is now open to the public as the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum.
Designed by the same architects as Flagler’s Ponce de Leon Hotel in St. Augustine and the New York Public Library, no expense was spared in creating Whitehall. From the impressive wrought iron fence around the property, to the marble entrance hall with grand staircase, every detail is exquisite. As you explore the rooms, note that they are decorated in various styles from Italian Renaissance to Louis XVI. Look at the ceilings, the woodwork on the floors, the detail in the workmanship. Truly a work of art.
Henry Flagler’s private railcar was added as an exhibit and can be visited and even boarded as part of the museum. Built in 1886, Railcar No. 91 has been restored to the period when Flagler would travel along the over-sea railroad from St. Augustine to Key West. A true piece of Florida history.
Visiting the Flagler Museum
You can visit the first two floors of Whitehall, as well as the outside grounds and the added railcar exhibit. Do take the time to admire the details. Many of the rooms showcase works of art as well as Henry Flagler’s collections of lace, pocket-watches to name just a few.
Explore the inner courtyard and take a look around the grounds in addition to admiring the interior rooms. We spent about 2 hours touring the museum and grounds.
At the time of our first visit only self-guided tours were available but now guided tours have resumed at the Flagler Museum. These are free and actually quite interesting. However, if you prefer to self-guide there are pamphlets at the entrance with information to get a short overview of what to expect. Do read the handouts as some key artifacts are highlighted that might otherwise be missed. An audio guide and downloadable app are also available in multiple languages.
Flagler Museum visiting hours
- Tuesday – Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
- Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years
Flagler Museum entry fees
- Adults and Youth (13+): $26.00
- Children (6 to 12): $13.00
- Children (5 and under): FREE
- Flagler Museum members: FREE
- Parking: FREE (Accessible parking and elevator available)