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Historic Stranahan
House Museum

Fort Lauderdale's Oldest Surviving Home

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We are open for at least 1 guided or self-guided tour per day, Monday through Friday. We highly suggest booking tickets in advance, even for self-guided tours. Our availability changes week to week. If there is a date you wish to attend that is not available, call our office for more information. Thank you for your understanding!

*Please note that like many metropolitan areas, parking is limited. We have 1 handicap accessible parking spot available to anyone with a handicap placard on a first come, first serve basis. For all other parking, please use the lot to the East of Boathouse at the Riverside (620 SE 4th Street) and then walk about 150 yards to our gate.*

 

The Historic Stranahan House Museum is Fort Lauderdale’s oldest and most historically significant surviving structure. This is where it all began. The Stranahan House holds the story of a family, a house, and the birth of a city.


See an interview with our caretaker, John Della-Cerra, about Ivy Stranahan in honor of Women’s History Month!


Stranahan House was built in 1901 by Frank Stranahan, credited as Fort Lauderdale’s founding father, and his wife Ivy Cromartie Stranahan, the area’s first school teacher. It is the oldest surviving structure in Broward County and has served as a trading post, post office, town hall, and home to the Stranahans.

The house is a wood-frame vernacular structure with wide porches and a stunning view of the New River. It was lovingly restored by the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society and the Fort Lauderdale Board of Realtors and opened to the public as a historic house museum in 1984.

Seminole Portraits - Stranahan House Collections
Ivy Stranahan - Stranahan House
Stranahan House 1910's
Seminole Boys at Franks Trading Post buying a bike
Frank Stranahan Trading Post
Frank and Ivy Stranahan - Stranahan House
Ivy Stranahan - Stranahan House

Photos Courtesy of Fort Lauderdale Historical Society / Stranahan Collection

The Stranahan House was built in 1901 by Frank Stranahan, credited as Fort Lauderdale’s founding father, and his wife Ivy Cromartie Stranahan, the area’s first school teacher. It is the oldest surviving structure in Broward County and has served as a trading post, post office, town hall, and home to the Stranahans.

The house is a wood-frame vernacular structure with wide porches and a stunning view of the New River. It was lovingly restored by the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society and the Fort Lauderdale Board of Realtors and opened to the public as a historic house museum in 1984.

Top-Rated Museum & Guided Tour in Fort Lauderdale

Historic Stranahan House Museum
Great place with lots of informative history.

We frequently visit historical places in our travels throughout the globe. This tour is a must see if you find your way to beautiful Fort Lauderdale.

– Joel W. | TripAdvisor
Historic Stranahan House Museum
Must see In Fort Lauderdale!

Splendid little piece of history in downtown along The River Walk. Tour guide “Sophie” was very knowledgeable and quite impressive with details of the history!

– Richard H. | TripAdvisor
Historic Stranahan House Museum
A Florida historic gem

What a gem! This beautiful museum anchors the Ft Lauderdale downtown core -- and Florida history itself. The family and I learned so much. A beautiful setting as well - right on the river, in the middle of Las Olas.

– Natasha M. | TripAdvisor
Historic Stranahan House Museum
Incredible Woodwork

We had a short time in Ft Lauderdale and chose the Stranahan House for a review. It was wonderful and highly recommend. The incredible woodwork is worth the tour.

– Tamaralgage1 | TripAdvisor
Historic Stranahan House Museum
Beautiful and great history

I had a wonderful tour with a guide that was personable and gave such wonderfully detailed information. I would definitely suggest this museum. It was wonderful to see history still vibrantly alive.

– Leslie B. | TripAdvisor

Major support for Stranahan House provided by the Broward County Cultural Division, the Cultural Council, and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. Educational programs are also funded in part by The State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, as well as, the Kiwanis Club of Fort Lauderdale.