Julie F.
Yelp
I hadn't been here in a number of years. The last time was with a girlfriend on Founders Day when they offer free admission. It was so packed then, that I really didn't get a chance to see everything I wanted to see...
Today, we were invited as guests of a friend celebrating her birthday -- a tour first then tea afterwards. As we were comped everything, we didn't have to pay, but the current admission is $18 for each adult.
Henry Flagler is most well known in Florida for his East Coast Railway, as a developer, and as a huge tourism promoter to the state. His wealth from Standard Oil, allowed him to spare no expense in building various homes, hotels, resorts, etc.
Flagler built Whitehall in 1902. It was a wedding present for his third wife. The best way to see the museum is with a guided tour. Even then, you can come back many times as you will not really see everything.
The tour only covers the first floor. We started in the grand hall, then to the library and music room; passed the billiards and grand ballroom onto his dining room. As we had a luncheon commitment at 2 pm, we didn't even get a chance to see the second floor and it's gallery of exhibits. But we did get to see his private rail car out back.
After his death was the hotel era (1925 to 1959). Part of the hotel built out back (which was torn down) was designated historical, so it was kept. In 1960, Whitehall began as the Flagler Museum (after his granddaughter bought it in 1959 and restored it.) An additional separate pavilion was built in 2005 to house his private rail car no 91 and the Cafe which is open seasonally.
If you like art and/or history or just want to see how the very wealthy lived, this grand estate is for you.