Visit the Historic Stranahan House Museum

Step into the story of Fort Lauderdale at the Historic Stranahan House Museum, the city’s oldest surviving home and one of its most treasured landmarks. This beautifully restored riverfront home invites you to discover the origins of a community that would grow into one of the best getaways on the Florida Gold Coast.

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The Stranahan House Is Where Fort Lauderdale Began

The Historic Stranahan House is more than just a museum in Fort Lauderdale. It is the birthplace of Fort Lauderdale’s civic spirit. Frank Stranahan was a businessman and the city’s founding father, while his wife Ivy Cromartie Stranahan was its first schoolteacher and a lifelong advocate for education and social progress. Together, they built a home that became a trading post, post office, community center, and gathering place for early settlers and Seminole neighbors.

Their story reflects the heart of Fort Lauderdale: a blend of resilience, generosity, and connection to the river that runs through it.

Take a Tour Through Time at the Historic Stranahan House

Visitors can explore the Stranahan House Museum through self-guided audio tours offered in English, Spanish, and French. Move at your own pace through each room and listen to stories of the Stranahans, the city’s early days, and the evolution of the surrounding neighborhood.

Knowledgeable volunteers are available throughout the house to assist and answer questions during tours that last about 45 minutes.

You Can Get There Through a Scenic Water Taxi Ride

The Historic Stranahan House Museum is located on the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Parking is limited, so plan to use the nearby lot to the east of the Boathouse at the Riverside (620 SE 4th Street). From there, it is an easy 150-yard walk to the museum gate.

If you want to skip parking altogether, consider arriving by Water Taxi. The scenic ride offers a unique way to experience why Fort Lauderdale is often called the “Venice of America.”

Join the Annual Historic Stranahan House Museum Events

– Victorian Christmas Tours at the Stranahan House Museum invite guests to experience the house decked in festive holiday décor while docents share stories of early 1900s celebrations.

– Pineapple Jam is the museum’s signature fundraising gala, featuring live music, local flavors, and a lively atmosphere that supports historic preservation programs.

– The Founding Families Fall Festival offers fun for all ages with food trucks, music, games, and free Water Taxi rides along the river.