Historic Stranahan House Museum

Introduction to the Historic Stranahan House Museum

Located just off Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, the Historic Stranahan House Museum is the city’s oldest structure, rich with history. Frank Stranahan, an Ohio businessman who is regarded as Fort Lauderdale's founding father, constructed Stranahan House in 1901. Initially, it served as a trading post and community hall before becoming the private residence of Stranahan and his wife, Ivy.

The house underwent renovations between 1913 and 1915. Following Frank Stranahan's untimely death in 1929 during an economic downturn, Ivy Stranahan rented out rooms of the house and leased the lower floor to various restaurants. After Ivy's passing in 1971, the house was temporarily entrusted to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. In 1975, the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society acquired the property, restored it from 1980 to 1984, and subsequently opened it to the public as the Historic Stranahan House Museum.

Visiting Hours

Visitors can explore the museum through self-guided tours, which last around 45 minutes and are available every 30 minutes. Occasionally, the Historic Stranahan House Museum offers guided tours led by experienced docents. These guided tours require advance reservations. During your visit, you will learn about the compelling history of the house, the Stranahan family, and the broader context of Fort Lauderdale’s development.

Ticket Information

Admission to the museum costs $13 for adults, $8 for children aged 5 to 17, and $10 for students. The museum is particularly enchanting during the holiday season, when it is adorned with Victorian Christmas decorations and features live music along with tours conducted by costumed docents.

Recent visitors have expressed pleasant surprise at the museum's interesting exhibits, considering it to be a vital piece of Fort Lauderdale's history. They also appreciated the scenic location of the house along the New River. If the on-site parking lot is full, Stranahan House recommends parking at the Riverside Hotel public lots or along Las Olas Boulevard. For more details and to plan your visit, you can check out the museum's website.