John Gorrie Museum State Park

The John Gorrie Museum honors Dr. John Gorrie—physician, inventor, and father of modern air conditioning. During an 1841 yellow fever outbreak in Apalachicola, Dr. Gorrie discovered that cooling patients reduced fevers, leading him to invent mechanical refrigeration. The museum features exhibits on his life and work, including a replica ice machine, historic artifacts, and restored antique refrigerators. Dr. Gorrie’s tomb is located just across the street.

John Gorrie was a young physician when moved to Apalachicola in the early 1830s at a time when the town was a prominent port of trade, commerce and shipping in Florida.

Gorrie was deeply involved in his adopted community, serving as postmaster, city treasurer, town council member and bank director. By 1841, concern for his yellow fever patients motivated Gorrie to invent a method for cooling their sickrooms. He became a pioneer in the field of air conditioning and refrigeration by inventing a mechanical device that produced ice. In 1851, Dr. Gorrie received the first U.S. patent for mechanical refrigeration.

In 1899, Dr. Gorrie was honored for his invention of the ice machine with a monument to his achievement. The monument is located in the northern corner of the square. In 1956 ground was broken on the southern corner of the square for a museum to Dr. Gorrie.  The museum was completed and dedicated in 1957. It is presumed that is also when Dr. Gorrie’s remains were transferred from Magnolia Cemetery to Gorrie Square. His grave can be found in the eastern quadrant of the square – directly across 6^th Street from the museum.

Today, a replica of his ice-making machine and other artifacts are on display at the museum.

The Gorrie Museum sits on what is referred to as Gorrie Square in Historic Apalachicola. Gorrie Square is one of the original six city squares in Apalachicola. The original name for the square was City Square as identified on the 1834 Apalachicola Land Company Map. The square name was changed in the early 1900s- to honor Dr. John Gorrie. There is an interpretative display on the square where you can learn more.

Open: 9 am – 5 pm Thursday through Monday.