House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar

Infobox_nrhp | name =House of Refuge Museum
House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar
(Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge)
Hutchinson Island, Florida
nrhp_type =


caption =
location=301 S.E. MacArthur Boulevard

Hutchinson Island

Stuart, Florida
area =
built = 1876
added = May 3, 1974
governing_body = Local government Martin County, Florida
mpsub=
refnum=74000651 cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

The House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar, also known as Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge, the House of Refuge Museum, or more simply by locals the House of Refuge, is an historic site on Hutchinson east of Stuart, in Martin County, Florida. It is located at 301 S.E. MacArthur Boulevard, south of Indian River Plantation and north of Bathtub Beach.

The House of Refuge is the last remaining shipwreck life-saving station on Florida's Atlantic Coast. Built in 1876 to help stranded sailors, its long colorful history spanned nearly 70 years. Today it is owned by the Martin County government and leased to the Martin County Historical Society which operates it as a museum exhibiting life-saving equipment used over the years and showcasing the keeper's quarters, circa 1904. On May 3, 1974, the House of Refuge was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

National Register listing

*House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar
* (added 1974 - Building - #74000651)
*Also known as Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge
*North of Bathtub Beach on Hutchinson Island east of Stuart, Florida, Stuart
*Historic Significance: Event
*Area of Significance: Social History
*Period of Significance: 1875-1899
*Owner: Local Gov't
*Historic Function: Domestic, Government
*Historic Sub-function: Hotel, Public Works
*Current Sub-function: Museum, Research Facility

History

The House of Refuge is situated on the coastal rocks of the Anastasia formation, one of the most prominent geologic outcroppings along the entire Eastern seaboard. The house was one of ten commissioned by the U.S. Treasury Department as havens for shipwrecked sailors and travelers along the barren east coast of Florida. It is the only one that remains today. The facility also served as a lookout for enemy submarines in WWI. It was saved by the Historical Society of Martin County in 1955, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

With the permission of the Martin County Historical Society, Florida Ghost Team investigated this historic site in 2004. There were a couple events during the investigation that rose suspicion of paranormal activity here.

http://floridaghostteam.com/

Museum exhibits

The House of Refuge Museum at Gilbert’s Bar provides a look at turn-of-the-century living along the coast. Areas available for public viewing are the boathouse, kitchen, dining room, parlor, bedroom and a lookout tower constructed during WWII. New exhibit space includes a timeline of Hutchinson Island dating from 2000 B.C. to the hurricanes of 2004.

Gift Shop

The naturally challenging and scenic location of the House of Refuge has served as the inspiration for a number of paintings and photographs. The late local artist Howard Schafer was commissioned to paint the House of Refuge as it looked after it was built in 1876. Limited edition giclees of this print are available in our gift shop, as well as a variety of gifts, books, souvenirs, photos and artwork.

ee also

* List of Registered Historic Places in Florida
* Elliott Museum

References

External links

* [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/FL/Martin/state.html Martin County listings] at [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com National Register of Historic Places]
* [http://www.flheritage.com Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs]
** [http://www.flheritage.com/facts/reports/places/index.cfm?fuseaction=ListAreas&county=martin Martin County listings]
** [http://www.flheritage.com/services/sites/fht/record_t.cfm?ID=620&type=c&index=43 Historic House of Refuge]
* [http://www.goodnature.org/?f=cyber-sites&p=member&id=1132 Elliott Museum / House of Refuge] at [http://www.goodnature.org Stuart / Martin County Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://216.234.165.87/gilbert_house.htm Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge panoramic view] from [http://i-ota.net i-ota.net's Panoramas of the Treasure Coast, Kennedy Space Center, Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, and Stuart]
* [http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/STATIONS/GILBERTS%20BAR.html Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge LSS] at [http://www.uscg.mil United States Coast Guard]
* [http://www.houseofrefugefl.org/houseofrefuge/index.html House of Refuge website]