Coastal Heritage Museum

Crystal River Heritage Council

532 Citrus Avenue
Crystal River FL 34428
(352)795-1755
E-mail: crcoastalmuseum@aol.com

The Crystal River Heritage Council, a council of the Citrus County Historical Society, Inc., was formed in 2001 to operate the Coastal Heritage Museum. Located in Crystal River, the Coastal Heritage Museum was established in the now Historic 1939 City Hall on Citrus Avenue. This picturesque building was originally a WPA structure and was listed on the National Register in 1998. The Museum features numerous local history exhibits, is free to the public, and group tours are welcome.

Coastal Heritage Museum
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Admission is Free ­ Donations Welcome

The Coastal Heritage Museum opened in 1986 under the direction of the Citrus County Historical Society, Inc. On May 29, 1998, the old City Hall was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Museum was closed in 2000 for repairs and reopened in 2001 under the direction of the volunteers of the Crystal River Heritage Council.

The Museum features an array of exhibits, artifacts, furniture and photographs of the early history of the west side of Citrus County, Florida. Unique features include a 1929 diorama of downtown Citrus Avenue, a fish house facade, and one of the original jail cells.

The historic building was built in 1939 by the Workers Progress Administration (WPA) labor. The exterior is constructed of natural limestone quarried locally, and the interior ceilings are made from magnolia wood. It served as the first permanent home for the Crystal River City Government and was used by the city until 1970. It has housed the Mayor¹s Office, the Police Department, the jail and the fire truck. Today, it is owned by the City of Crystal River and leased to the Citrus County Historical Society, Inc.