The staff at AIMH aims to provide an accessible environment for all guests. Below is information that we hope will help you plan your visit. For any questions that may arise, do not hesitate to contact us at (904)261-7378.
Preparing for your visit
- Open: Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm / Sunday: 1 pm – 4 pm
- Docent-led tours Monday – Saturday at 11 am and 2 pm / Sunday at 2 pm.
(included with ticket purchase) - The Museum is wheel-chair accessible. Most doorways measure 36” inches with the narrowest doorway measuring 27 inches.
- A wheel-chair is available at no charge that will fit through all doorways.
- All restrooms are ADA accessible and feature a changing table for infants and small children.
- School groups may be seen in the Museum. During these visits the Museum may be louder than normal. School groups are seen most often in the morning and typically in the spring months.
- Sensory tips: You may bring your own fidget spinners, noise-canceling headphones or other items to help you have a more pleasant experience.
Arriving at the Museum
- The Museum is located at 233 South 3rd Street, Fernandina Beach, Florida, 32034. The entrance is in our main parking area located on the north side of the building.
- One spot is designated for physically challenged guests. There is an ADA accessible ramp at the front entrance.
- There is a large xylophone that guests like to use. This can sometimes be loud and children may be particularly excited to play it.
Front Lobby
- The front lobby is where you can purchase tickets or, if tickets were purchased online, show your receipt to the Greeter.
- This space can sometimes get crowded, particularly if we have a large group visiting.
- It may take a few minutes to check-in during busy times. Our volunteer Greeters work quickly to assist all guests and are appreciative of your patience.
- When you check-in with the Greeter you will receive a Museum guide with a scavenger hunt on the back.
The scavenger hunt can be enjoyed by people of all ages but smaller guests may need assistance. Once you have completed the scavenger hunt, you may get a toy from our toy chest located at the Greeter’s desk. - A guide for the hearing impaired may be found at the Greeter’s desk to allow you to follow along on the docent-led tours that occur at 11 am and 2 pm.
Exhibit Spaces
- Throughout the Museum you will encounter TV screens and computer stations. Some of these play video with sound. There are also areas with audio background sounds.
- Water’s Edge: The first room you are likely to enter is the Water’s Edge. This room has a looping set of videos with sound and closed captioning. There are also lights aimed at the floor to simulate water.
- Main Exhibit Area: In the main exhibit area you will find The Margery. This is a re-creation of a ship which many children like to play on. There are costumes which can be worn, audio background noises including the sounds of birds and boat horns, and a push button station which plays nautical phrases in different languages.
- There is also an authentically carve canoe that children can climb into and have their picture taken. This area also includes a video showing the Florida Seminole artist, Pedro Zepeda, carving the featured canoe. You will hear the sounds of carving and tapping.
- Jail Cell: Just off of the main exhibit area is a jail cell re-creation (the Museum was once the Nassau County Jail). To get to this exhibit you must enter through doorways that may not be wide enough for your wheel-chair. The Greeter can provide you with a wheel-chair that is available at no charge which will fit through these doorways.
- This exhibit can be noisy as children and adults like to bang the jail cell door. Please be careful of small fingers in this exhibit.
- Turn of the Century: In this exhibit there is background audio featuring the sounds of a train station. There are also two computer stations which highlight the history of the Fernandina Beach working waterfront. There is no sound at these stations.
Amelia Next: The Amelia Next room features a computer station with character interviews highlighting people from the past. There is sound but no closed captioning.
Temporary Gallery: This gallery features quarterly rotating exhibitions. There is a small downward transition into this room. Due to the rotating exhibit status, the layout in this room may change.
Gift Shop
- The gift shop is a fairly small but well lit space. It can get crowded at times.
2nd Floor
- The second floor of the museum, accessible by elevator, is a working area and a meeting room “Baker Hall” hosts scheduled lectures and events.
You can tour the museum virtually by clicking this link.