 Museum LocationFlorida State Fairgrounds 4700 Orient Rd. Tampa, Florida 33610 Getting here
 Museum Admission
Next public opening: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day on September
28, 2013 $7 Adults, $6 Seniors, $6 Students
(ages 6-12),Children 5 and younger
Admitted FREE.
Members Admitted FREE.
 Contact Info
813.627.4225 main number
813.627-4348 classes & tours
813.740.3518 fax
 Regular Museum Hours
The Museum is open to the public on
select days throughout the year.
View 2012-2013 public openings.
Museum office is open
week days 9am-5pm.
Connect
Find us on Facebook.
rship fee goes towards helping us develop our hands-on educational curriculum, and towards helping us maintain our collections and historic buildings. Becoming a member is great for you, too! ALL members enjoy:
A 10% discount at the General Store
Reciprocal benefits—including free or reduced admission and a gift shop discount— with local and national museums participating in the Southeastern Reciprocal Program (for a full list, click here)
Announcements of upcoming programs and events
Bi-yearly newsletter
The satisfaction of knowing you are aiding in the preservation of Florida’s rural pioneer folklife!
Below is a full list of membership levels and benefits. About Us
Cracker Country is
Tampa’s only living history museum and is located on the Florida State
Fairgrounds. It was founded with
the purpose of preserving Florida’s rural heritage in 1978 by Mildred W. &
Doyle E. Carlton, Jr. The museum holds a
collection of 13 original buildings dating from 1870-1912 which were relocated
from across the state of Florida. Our buildings range from public buildings like our Terry Store and Okahumpka Train Depot, to
private buildings like our Carlton and Smith homes. Today, the
historically furnished buildings recreate the lifestyles of the past, and
costumed interpreters portray daily living as Florida pioneers.
Cracker Country focuses on providing educational
opportunities for the public to learn about Old Florida.
Every year we see
around 20,000 school children who learn about farm & household chores,
community buildings, and the skills and trades of early settlers.
Our interpreters are a huge part of making our museum
come to life.
These volunteers
give their time to promote the preservation and public education on Florida’s
unique past. We are seeking more
volunteers to help share our history. If you have an interest or know anyone
who might have an interest in becoming a volunteer please contact Jennifer Becker.
Additionally, every February during the Florida State
Fair, Cracker Country opens its gates to the Fair’s guests!
The 2013 Florida
State Fair will take place February 6-17, 2014. Come visit and take a stroll back in
time as you experience the sights, sounds, and smells of Florida’s history.
What is a Florida 'Cracker'?
“Crackers” derive their name from the rugged 19th century pioneers who developed the wild territory now known as Florida. Cattle roamed freely in the Florida woodlands and had to be rounded up before being sold and shipped up north or to Cuba. Lariats, or lassos, didn’t work in the thick underbrush—instead, cow hunters used whips to round them up. The whips were not used to strike the cattle, but were actually popped or “cracked," resulting in a sound similar to a rifle shot. These cracking whips would get the cattle moving and could be heard over very long distances. When early settlers heard the sound they would say, “Here come the Crackers.” The name has stuck and the term “Florida Cracker” is still used today to describe native born Floridians.
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