Destin History & Fishing Museum

This maritime museum was opened to the public on October 1, 2005, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization run by a board of directors. The museum building was originally home to the Destin Library before it moved to its new location on Silbert Avenue. As one of the few key his​torical repositories for the city of Destin, it is a popular destination for both residents and tourists alike. It contains exhibits depicting the history of the town and the fishing industry in relation to it.[2] According to the museum’s official website, the exhibits “present the history of Destin and journey from a small fishing village to a major tourist attraction."[3] Moreover, the exhibits include historic photographs, artifacts, fishing equipment, and documents of early Destin and the fishing industry. In addition, the original Destin Post Office Building is located nextdoor.[4] The museum’s collection includes a mix of vintage photographs, antique fishing rods and reels, fish mounts and replicas, an original Pen Reel that belonged to Ernest Hemingway, and the oldest seine fishing boat still in existence, the Primrose. In terms of accreditation, the Destin History & Fishing Museum is not currently an accredited museum according to the American Alliance of Museums (AAM).[5]

Destin History & Fishing Museum, 2022.

The museum celebrates and documents the history of Destin. As a private non-profit, its mission is to preserve local history and “share the story of how our small fishing village became a major tourist attraction."[6] This community museum showcases the past of the beach town, invoking Destin’s history as a small fishing village. It is dedicated to preserving, documenting, and sharing the story of the village founded in the 1830’s. The museum offers different ways to experience the museum including scavenger hunts, self-guided in-person tours, staff and/or volunteer led personal tours, self-guided tours with MPS player and headset, and personalized tours utilizing QR codes downloaded on smartphones. In addition, group tours are available in addition to student tours with a focus on specific objectives. Individuals may support the museum with a membership, donation, or annual corporate sponsorship. Through its different partnerships, the museum offers programs for lifelong learning.

The museum’s annual corporate sponsors include the following businesses/organizations: Okaloosa County, Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council, Ariel Seafoods Inc., Boshamps Seafood & Oyster House, Dewey Destin Seafood Restaurant, Harry T’s, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, La Paz, Okaloosa County Charities Inc., Pump Out USA, Resort Quest, and SLS. In addition, the museum has individual partnerships centered around specific projects. The museum also regularly partners with the Destin Library and Destin Community Center for local events. There is a link on the official museum website that provides more information about corporate membership, forms, and fees. In addition, business members receive the following benefits for corporate memberships: an engraved company plaque, recognition in media, logo display, reduced admission prices, free use of the museum's meeting facility, a free corporate guided tour, and a tax-deductible contribution.