The story of the New River is as old as the Everglades. It was home to the Tequesta People from prehistoric time. Later is was a refuge for the Seminole People. Even though it was claimed by Ponce De Leon for his King in 1513, it remained virtually untouched by the modern world until the late 1800s. Fort Lauderdale Historical Society operates 3 museums and a research library on the banks of the New River. Its campus features an open-air museum that demonstrates the best remaining examples of wood and masonry vernacular tropical architecture. Its Main, Pioneer House and Schoolhouse Museums explore the development of South Florida from virgin land to the present. Exhibits include Archaeology, Seminole Culture, New River Development, Flagler’s Railroad, WWI & WWII Military History, Fashion and Visual Art.

Fort Lauderdale Historical Society brings the stories of our diverse community to life through educational experiences, cultural exhibits, research, and preservation for future generations.

The Bryan family arrived on the New River in 1895. Henry Flagler had sent Philemon and his son Tom to oversee the construction of his rail bed from Pompano Beach to the New River. The Bryans and their team of 400 workers accomplished rail bed completion in a few short months despite the difficult terrain and living conditions. Mr. Flagler’s train pulled in to the Fort Lauderdale station for the first time in February 1896. The Bryans decided to stay and operate the Railroad boarding house which later became today’s New River Inn. In addition to operating the first tourist hotel, they branched out into farming, citrus groves, dredging, construction, first ice house, first electric company, first telephone exchange, and first radio station. Tom and Reed, Philemon’s sons, held elected offices, organized the board of trade, and were instrumental is negotiating the creation of the new Broward County is 1915. The Bryan family is one of many to meet at History Fort Lauderdale, where the river meets the railroad.