The Grove Museum is a free historic-house museum at 902 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32303, on the North Monroe corridor just north of downtown. Centered on the ca. 1840 Call-Collins House, built by enslaved craftspeople for the Call family, the site traces Florida history from slavery through the civil-rights era and preserves the home of Governor LeRoy Collins and Mary Call Collins. Travelers come for its candid, guide-led interpretation, intact antebellum architecture, and 10.5 wooded acres.
What to Expect at The Grove Museum
The experience begins with an hourly guided house tour, offered from 10 a.m. through the 3 p.m. final start Wednesday through Saturday. Lasting about 40 minutes, the tour uses the Call and Collins families’ lives to examine enslavement, Reconstruction, segregation, and the modern civil-rights movement. This is not simply a decorative period-home visit: interpretation puts the labor of the enslaved people who built and sustained the property at the center of the story.
The Call-Collins House is among Florida’s best-preserved antebellum residences. Its two-story, Greek Revival-influenced form, broad porch, and historic rooms set a valuable scene for discussing the territorial and statehood-era elite who lived here, including Richard Keith Call, Florida’s third and fifth territorial governor. Later residents included LeRoy Collins, Florida governor from 1955 to 1961, whose administration coincided with pivotal desegregation battles. Allow time after the tour for the wooded landscape, archaeology interpretation, and the Call-Collins family cemetery.
- Call-Collins House: A ca. 1840 residence constructed by enslaved craftspeople and preserved as the museum’s central artifact.
- Slavery to civil rights tours: Hourly, guide-led 40-minute tours connect personal histories at The Grove with the larger American struggle for civil rights.
- LeRoy and Mary Call Collins legacy: Learn how the former governor and first lady fit into Florida’s twentieth-century political history.
- Call-Collins family cemetery: A contemplative historic feature within the museum’s 10.5-acre property.
- Archaeology and grounds: Outdoor interpretation adds evidence of the site’s earlier landscape and working history beyond the house rooms.
The Grove Museum at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 902 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32303 |
| Neighborhood / Area | North Monroe corridor, just north of downtown Tallahassee |
| Operating Hours | Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sunday-Tuesday. House tours begin hourly, with the last at 3 p.m. |
| Admission / Price Range | Free general admission; prearranged groups of 10 or more pay $1 per guest. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 45 to 75 minutes, including the 40-minute house tour and grounds. |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Visitor parking is on site at 902 N. Monroe St.; StarMetro service runs along the N. Monroe Street corridor. |
| Official Website & Phone | thegrovemuseum.com & 850-245-6100 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive shortly before an hourly tour begins, particularly on Saturday, when the four-hour opening window can make timing important. General admission is free, but groups of 10 or more need advance arrangements through the museum. Use the dedicated visitor parking entrance at the street address rather than looking for downtown garage parking. The museum’s official visit page has current tour and group-planning details.
This is a historic two-story house within wooded grounds, so mobility needs deserve advance planning; call before arrival to discuss access to the house tour and outdoor routes. The cemetery and grounds are most comfortable in cooler morning hours. Pair the visit with the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library about 12 minutes away on foot, Lake Ella and its surrounding cafés roughly 15 minutes north, or a short drive south to the Museum of Florida History and Florida’s Historic Capitol.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is The Grove Museum open, and what is the best time to go?
The museum and grounds open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. House tours start on the hour, and the final tour begins at 3 p.m. Choose the 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. tour for quieter grounds and time to explore outdoors before the afternoon heat.
Is admission free, and do I need a reservation?
General admission is free, including the regular guided tour program. Individuals and small parties can attend during open hours; groups of 10 or more must arrange a tour in advance and are charged $1 per guest.
How long should I budget for a visit?
Plan 45 to 75 minutes. The guided house tour takes approximately 40 minutes, while visitors who want to walk the 10.5-acre grounds and see the family cemetery should allow additional time.
Is The Grove Museum suitable for families and visitors with mobility needs?
Families interested in Florida history will find the guided format especially useful, though the subject matter directly addresses slavery and civil rights. Because the site combines a historic two-story residence with wooded outdoor areas, contact the museum before visiting for current mobility accommodations and route guidance.
When planning your Tallahassee travel guide or comparing verified attractions and museums in Tallahassee, pair this stop with standout local spots including Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail, The Capitol Inn, Tallahassee Automobile Museum, and Hotel Duval, Autograph Collection (0.6 km away).
