The House of Refuge Museum
The House of Refuge Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
About
Step back in time to the turn of the century with a visit to the House of Refuge Museum at Gilbert’s Bar. Built as one of ten along the east coast of Florida, it is the oldest structure in Martin County and is the only remaining House of Refuge. Want to visit the wreck of the Georges Valentine? Only 100 yards from shore, you can walk from the House of Refuge and snorkel or dive the wreck. Looking for the ideal Beach Wedding or an Ocean side Event? We can make it happen! Select your many options below and DISCOVER WHAT POSSIBILITIES AWAIT YOU!
Duration: < 1 hour
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
267 reviews
Excellent
164
Very good
86
Average
15
Poor
1
Terrible
1
SALeeReview
Commerce Township, MI65 contributions
Mar 2021
I recommend this museum, which is really more of a house and surrounding area on the beach, because it is the actual house that was there (not a replica) and the history of shipwrecks is very interesting. I will say it will only take about an hour to go through, but you can get a ticket that allows admission to this museum and the Elliot Museum, which is a good deal and would take up 1/2 a day if you do both back to back. They are within 10 minutes drive from each other.
Written April 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carpediemejc
Gainesville, FL172 contributions
Jul 2021
This unique museum is actually located on Hutchinson Island, which is about a 15 minute drive from Stuart. It is a small property that will only take about an hour for you to see. But, it's very unusual and interesting and is a great way to kill an hour. There is a combination ticket that you can buy for $18 that will also give you access to the Elliott Museum, which is a mile away.
Unfortunately, on the day I visited, the docents were busy with a summer camp field trip so I had to take the self-guided tour. However, the signage on the outside of the property was excellent. It was informative and interesting. There were originally 10 of these houses built and this is the only one left. The idea of a formal program along the coast to assist shipwreck survivors is not something you will learn about anywhere else and it is really fascinating. There are old photos, artifacts that have been found, log books and other items to see. The actual house has been restored on the first floor. This allows visitors to see what the living conditions were like for the "keepers" who ran the houses. I would definitely recommend this place. Tip: There is very little parking. So, either go early when they first open to snag a space, or be willing to park at a beach parking area down the road and walk up to the museum.
Unfortunately, on the day I visited, the docents were busy with a summer camp field trip so I had to take the self-guided tour. However, the signage on the outside of the property was excellent. It was informative and interesting. There were originally 10 of these houses built and this is the only one left. The idea of a formal program along the coast to assist shipwreck survivors is not something you will learn about anywhere else and it is really fascinating. There are old photos, artifacts that have been found, log books and other items to see. The actual house has been restored on the first floor. This allows visitors to see what the living conditions were like for the "keepers" who ran the houses. I would definitely recommend this place. Tip: There is very little parking. So, either go early when they first open to snag a space, or be willing to park at a beach parking area down the road and walk up to the museum.
Written July 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SusanMikeTampa
Tampa, FL228 contributions
Nov 2020
We visited the House of Refuge Museum when we visited Stuart. Lots of very interesting history to read about and artifacts to see. Things are displayed nicely, and there is enough information that you get a real feel for the place, but not so much information that you're overwhelmed. There's a nice little gift shop there as well, and from outside the Museum you have really nice views of the rocks/beach/water.
There are combo tickets you can buy for the House of Refuge and the Elliott Museum and I would recommend both!
There are combo tickets you can buy for the House of Refuge and the Elliott Museum and I would recommend both!
Written December 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randy T
Palm Bay, FL2,083 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
Next time you’re in the area I can recommend a stop at the last remaining house of refuge on Florida’s East Coast. It was originally built to rescue shipwreck survivors. Staffed with a lone Keeper + family, he would patrol the beaches to gather survivors. Then, it was the only building on the barrier island. It later became US Coast Guard Station #207. During WW II, the tower was used to spot German Subs as Gilbert’s Bar house of Refuge was located between two top secret bases.
Open M-Sat 10-4 and Sunday 1-4.
Open M-Sat 10-4 and Sunday 1-4.
Written September 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
retrocraze
55 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
This was a very interesting historical tour on how things were done and how things looked back in the 1800s when sailors were being rescued offshore before the Coast Guard days. The refuges were built about 25 miles from each other on the shore, yet this one is the only one that remains. Truly special! Our tour was shortened to accommodate our family since we had a toddler with us, yet it was still very informative and tour guide answered all our questions. Area is stunningly beautiful! Don’t miss this historical treasure!
Written August 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randi H
Stuart, FL33 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Absolutely loved this place! Not only is the view spectacular, but also the drive and surroundings are interesting. The little gift shop has wonderful volunteers that are friendly and know a lot about the history. The museum is a self-led tour and we felt safe even with Covid because we went during a Monday morning and no one was around. Be sure to check out both sections of the House of Refuge, bottom and top. Head outside near the shore to see the huge (and sharp) Anastasia limestone. The view is beautiful!
Written December 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug Yankauer
Stuart, FL49 contributions
Jan 2020
My wife and I recently visited the House of Refuge Museum on Hutchinton Island in Stuart Fl. This is a great piece of FL history that will open one's eyes to how things were here in a totally different time. Very informative, excellent tour guide, learned things that we otherwise would never have known. Would highly recommend to anyone visiting the area.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MartyAcks
Downers Grove, IL3 contributions
Mar 2020
We enjoyed our stop in the early afternoon. The tour starts with a 10 minute talk with a volunteer docent. The rest is self-guided. Interesting story of the early history of the island. There are stories of pirates, shipwrecks, rescues, and service during WWII. What's not to like. They have exhibits and placards for younger children that are placed at their height. Nice touch. There is not much parking. As museums go this is a low tech, a bit underfunded gem.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ward D
Satellite Beach, FL3,559 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
This is located off the beaten path. It is associated with the Elliott museum and is located about 2 miles or a 5 minute car ride from the main museum. You can buy a combination ticket to see the Elliott and the House of Refuge museum. I think that is the best deal. You can coordinate for a museum staff member to drive you over and back. It was a good deal and very convenient. I would recommend going to the Elliott first and then the House of Refuge. You could drive yourself but there are very few parking spaces at the Refuge. The house is the only one of the original 10 houses built by Florida to helped shipwrecked people along Florida’s east Coast. You enter through the house by the small parking lot. The staff was very friendly. The entrance house serves as a ticket booth, a waiting area and a gift shop all in one. The small set of structures is located right on the beach and offers a lovely view. They have you start at the third house where a volunteer shows a movie and then describes more about the history of the people and the structures. The next house has individual rooms that describe each period in the history of the house. Overall, it was a very nice visit to a structure that is key in describing the true initial Coast Guard history.
Written May 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard R
Mukilteo, WA799 contributions
Feb 2020
A nice destination of you want to take a short bike ride. We rode from Hutchinson Shores (about 5 miles one way). An enthusiastic guide who gave us a nice overview of the perils of sailing, and coast guard support for those stranded over the last few hundred years..
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The directions from Debbie are right. Enjoy
Written March 3, 2015
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