This state park was named after John Gorrie, a physician who was deeply involved with his community as he served as a postmaster, city treasurer, town councilman, and even a bank director. During his lifetime, yellow fever was a big problem in the area, and he found that the cooler the room, the easier it was for patients to survive. He received the first U.S. Patent for mechanical refrigeration in 1851 and this ice-making machine sits in the museum on the this state park property. There are, of course, other artifacts throughout the lifetime of Gorrie that sit on display in the museum, as well as some history of the Florida Park Service, which is dedicated to preserving the natural areas of Florida. Along with the museum, people can picnic on the grounds when it’s a beautiful day outside.
Location: Northwest Florida
Additional Resources: Official Website