Barberville is a unique experience, it’s a great place to visit with the whole family to see and learn about Florida Pioneer history. There are model trains, a blacksmith forge, animals and tons of beautiful and rustic histrionic buildings.
Absolutely love this place I have so many memories on field trips here! So many awesome things to see and learn about with a lot of hands on experiences you can’t find anywhere else! The staff is always so kind and helpful I recommend everyone stop in for a visit!!
Always a great experience when we have visited here. Staff, volunteers, performers, visitors are always courteous and kind to others. There is so much history shared, hands on education and a true value to the community. Support this non-profit!
I love Barberville Pioneer Settlement!
My husband and I first volunteered there in 2018. I am a weaver and he is Mr Fix it and a woodworker.
We are now back and call the area our home.
The grounds and buildings are all historic.
It is enjoyable to walk the Settlement and learn the history of each structure.
You are able to learn even more during events when demonstrators are working.
There is more than music and food during special events. Spinners, weavers, candle makers, woodworkers, blacksmiths, etc. may be working and sharing their knowledge.
There are also farm animals and some friendly cats on the property.
I am attaching is of Lassie Cake, Settlement cat extraordinaire! She even has her own Facebook page and posts about the Settlement. I am also attaching a photo at one of the looms in the Weaving room from the weaver’s view.
We LOVE ❤️ this place. We found it driving down Florida 40 one afternoon. We stopped in, paid the entrance fee and wandered around. It was a wonderful historical educational place with old furnished buildings, and complete history. Quiet and away from the noise, we spent hours in contentment.
Afterwards we went into the office at the Bridge / Gate building where we transferred our admission price into a yearly membership.
Two weeks later we returned for the Spring Frolic which was an extremely fun weekend of music, history, and games. Love love love the Spring Frolic event.
We have returned for the Music on the Porches events too. Wandering the village listening to free music!
We renewed our yearly membership.
OH!! We don’t live in Florida. We live in Michigan and spend only our winters in Florida….. we feel a yearly membership is worth the money to a place 1100 miles from our home.
Such an amazing place. Rich with history, culture, and preservation, The buildings and grounds are cared for with a passion that is a testament to the organization's commitment to its mission statement.
I had the honor of volunteering at the Settlement for two years. The impact on the students that came on field trips to Barberville was substantial. Every age group went away with a greater understanding of what life was like on the Florida frontier in the 1800's.
The Fall Jamboree and Spring Fling give folk musicians an opportunity to showcase their talent in an engaging environment that cannot be experienced anywhere else in Central Florida.
The patrons to the museum have an opportunity to delve into the past and see how the pioneers survived off the land and raised their children. This is a unique and well cared for museum that has so much to offer to the community. You need to go!!
You are most definitely on my Bucket List! Love what you do on social media and I just KNOW the in-person experience will be as fantastic. Someday I will be able to get there.
As the volunteer (not professional LOL ) social media/ webmistress for the Historical Society of Sarasota County, I truly am in awe of all you do. I can tell how much love and passion your group has for your local history. Bravo!
My husband & I really enjoy visiting and learning the different ways of everyday living from back when our forefathers lived in Central Florida.
We've even brought friends and family to the Settlement during Pioneer Days to learn and experience just how things were done back then.
The preservation that you have done and continue to do is wonderful. Our children need to learn all of these amazing things.
I can't say enough good things about the Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts in Barberville, FL!
I first visited many years ago (in the 1970's) when my children took tours of the settlement as 4th grade students in the Volusia County Schools. I was impressed then with the fact that everyone that we met was helpfully involved in teaching about the past... not only the crafts but the whole feeling of times gone by. They encouraged the children to try out weaving, candle making, etc. and taught why these skills were necessary. I've volunteered several times over the years (wish I could do more!) and am always happy that the settlement staff and volunteers continue to make it a welcoming and educational place full of unique experiences for all.