Mandarin Museum & Historical Society

Take a stroll through the beautiful 10-acre Walter Jones Historical Park on the banks of the St. Johns River and visit five historic buildings. Exhibits provide an intimate venue to discover the history of the area.

The park walk includes the 1876 barn and farmhouse, a boardwalk along the river, a sawmill, and the Losco Winery building.

The St. Joseph’s Mission Schoolhouse for African-American Children is a favorite of visitors. Built in 1898, it is the area's last remaining one-room schoolhouse of this era. It was used to teach African-American children by the Sisters of St. Joseph, continuing the mission they started in 1868.

The Mandarin Museum will be closed due to continued renovation. However, the Gift Shop will be open featuring art prints and books by Mandarin artists and authors, as well as Mandarin Frogs.

In addition, the Mandarin Store and Post Office will be open. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Displays include some of the original furnishings and other memorabilia.

Check https://mandarinmuseum.net for updates on specific times.

Exhibits

All buildings in the park will be open for viewing on Museum Day from 10-2:

Visit the 1898 schoolhouse to learn about the history of the building and African-American education in Mandarin and the greater Jacksonville area. The exhibit tells the story of the French Catholic Sisters who came to America to work as educators and honors African-American families of Mandarin, whose drive for learning surpassed all challenges put before them.

The barn and winery have artifacts related to agriculture and wine production in the early 20th century. 1875 Webb/Jones Farmhouse is furnished with objects that illustrate family life in rural north Florida during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Webb/Jones farmhouse was built in 1875 by Major William W. Webb - you will feel like you have been dropped back in time!

The Losco Winery is a log cabin that was owned by Francisco Losco, who made 40 barrels of wine/year.

Participation in Museum Day is open to any tax-exempt or governmental museum or cultural venue on a voluntary basis. Smithsonian magazine encourages museum visitation, but is not responsible for and does not endorse the content of the participating museums and cultural venues, and does not subsidize museums that participate.