The Amelia Island Museum of History is located in the former Nassau County jail in Downtown Fernadina Beach. It shows 4000 years of history.
Starting with the Timucua Native American tribe, on to the Spanish and French explorers, Pirates, Victorian residents and the famous African American vacation spot, American Beach . An unbelievable 8 distinct nations have flown their flags over the Island since 1562.
The museum also shoes the importance of shipping to the island and the role the Shrimp Industry has played.
The special exhibits, that change, are nice Some interesting art work as well. One exhibit showed the history of José Martí, a Cuban poet and revolutionary. He stayed in Fernadina Beach in 1893 and tried to get weapons to aid rebels seeking freedom from Spanish rule. His plan failed because the boats he chartered for the weapons never made it to Cuba. He returned to Cuba to fight in 1895 and was killed in the Battle of Dos Rios. Marti is still revered in Cuba.
