Manatee ribs, shark teeth, and the vertebra of a man: a historian and humanitarian shared his collection with the public, bringing the first museum to the Ensley community. T.T. Wentworth, Jr., a local land owner, tax collector, and Ensley citizen inspired locals to preserve their personal histories when, in 1835, he started the movement to mark historical spots in Escambia County and in Florida. Wentworth began collecting the contents in the museum in 1906, and opening day took place on April 6, 1957.

Wentworth had built a 25- by 60-foot building to house all of the collection. Later it was expanded to 60- by 80-feet, which still did not house all of Wentworth's collection, as some relics remained in his garage where he lived next door. Representatives of the State, county, city, Chamber of Commerce, civic organizations, and Historical Societies attended.

The museum began with more than 7,000 items of historical significance, including maps, early American, foreign and Confederate currency, local pieces, a large collection of artifacts, guns, antiques, and letters. Wentworth also included historic papers of the 1559 Spanish explorer, Don Tristan de Luna, in his collection. The community response to the museum was central to it fulfilling its purpose, and the locals were pleased. Civic organizations such as different churches, the Ensley Masonic Lodge, Woodmen of the World, the Exchange Club and the Lions Club all named Wentworth with various honors in the community. The museum only opened on Sunday afternoons and not only filled with volunteers and donations, but it also encouraged people to look into their own personal histories.