In 1967, a Florida State Bill created the Pensacola Historical Preservation and Restoration Commission. This organization, independent from the government, was mandated to “acquire, restore, preserve, maintain, reconstruct, reproduce, and operate for the use, benefit, education, recreation, enjoyment, and general welfare if the people of this state and nation.”

Recognizing the benefits of having a restoration commission, in 1969, the commission reorganized into the Historic Pensacola Preservation Board of Trustees under the control of the Florida Department of State. This new Board of Trustees acquired the collection of the late T.T. Wentworth Jr., and began began expanding its holdings of historic structures in downtown Pensacola.

By 2000, the Historic Pensacola Preservation Board of Trustees was the last remaining preservation board in state of Florida. In 2001, the Board of Trustees was absorbed by the Univeristy of West Florida and renamed West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc. Through this university partnership West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc. gained the Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site in Pace, Florida in 2007 and continued to expand operations in downtown Pensacola.

Renamed UWF Historic Trust in 2014, the organization continues to operate the Historic Pensacola Village, Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site, the Pensacola Children’s Museum, and the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum.

Image courtesy of West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc.

Credits and Sources:

B. Lynne Robertson, “A Few Interesting Facts About West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc.,” Pensacola History Illustrated: A Journal of Pensacola and West Florida History 3, no. 1 (Summer 2013).

This project received financial assistance from VISIT FLORIDA