Sams House at Pine Island Conservation Area
Sams House is an historic home on Merritt Island, Brevard County, Florida.It is the Management and Education Center for the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program's Pine Island Conservation Area.
6195 N. Tropical Trail
Merritt Island, FL 32953
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Phone: 321-255-4466
Fax: 321-255-4499
eel-info@brevardparks.com
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Center Hours
Tuesday through Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 pm
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Trail Hours
October through April: 7:00 AM - 6:00 pm
May through September: 7:00 AM - 8:00 pm
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Latitude: 28.472785 — Longitude: -80.7183693
June 1, 2020
Sams House June 2020 Update
Sams House at Pine Island Conservation Area is officially back open for trail hiking and exhibit exploring!
Tuesday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm.
In the month of June we are offering several outdoor programs for you to enjoy. Please see flyer below for details.
In order to insure the well-being of both visitors and staff, please be aware of the following social distancing guidelines:
- Visitors are recommended but not required to wear masks.
- Visitors are recommended to stay 6 feet apart from those they are not already quarantining with both indoors and outdoors.
- No more than 10 visitors inside the cabin at a time.
- Inside the building there will be arrows taped to the floor and zones to direct the flow of visitors.
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In 1875 John H. Sams built the cabin which is considered the oldest standing home in Brevard County, FL. He brought it to this location in 1878 from Eau Gallie, deconstructed, floated up the Indian River Lagoon, and reassembled here. His family, in this 600 sq. ft. cabin consisted of 4 adults and 6 children.
The cabin originally had 3 rooms. It later spent time as a school, church and a workshop.
They built the large house in 1888. It is a classic Florida vernacular style that accommodated a family with 8 children, some of whom were grown at the time this house was built. Sam's older brother and sister lived here too.
This 1,260 sq. ft. home has two large rooms, a family room and an office on the first floor. Upstairs are three bedrooms and the bath. The kitchen was in a separate building. Until the 1930's there was no indoor plumbing, so an outhouse was located nearby. In the 1950's part of the large porch was turned into a kitchen. The interior woodwork and exterior siding are original. Both buildings are constructed of pine.
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Sams House August Events
Greetings!
Below you can find the list of events going on in August at Sams House
We will be still following CDC guidelines and conducting all programs outdoors with a strict limit on participants.
- All programs require registration. Please call to sign up.
- Masks are recommended for all participating in the program.
- Each participant will receive their own materials to reduce sharing.
- All groups/families will be place 6 feet apart from other groups.
Dino-mania
Saturday, August 1st, 10:30 am
Just because we can find dinosaur fossils in our backyard, doesn't mean you can't make your own. Join us for some salt dough fun!
Limited to 5 groups. Registration is required. Please call to sign up.
Clay Pots
Thursday, August 6th, 10:30 am
Come learn how Clay Pots were made in the ancient times. Make your own and decorate them as the Native Americans would have.
Limited to 5 groups. Registration is required. Please call to sign up.
Discover Florida
Saturday, August 15th, All Day
Discover fun facts about Florida and get an idea of what the land was like way back when. Grab a map at the top of the White House.
Tweet Tweet
Saturday, August 22nd, 10:30 am
Bird feeders are a great way to attract beauty into your yard. Come to the Sams House to create your own eco-friendly feeder to feed all of your birdie friends.
Limited to 5 groups. Registration is required. Please call to sign up.
Leaf in Color
Sunday, August 30th, 10:30 am
We are combining leaves and water colors. We will be using cool tricks to make awesome masterpieces that everyone will love.
Limited to 5 groups. Registration is required. Please call to sign up.
The Sams House at Pine Island Conservation Area was created and is managed under Brevard County's Environmentally Endangered Lands Program referendum. The Program was established by voters in 1990 and reaffirmed in 2004 to protect and preserve the rich biological diversity and native species of Brevard County for future generations.
The Sams House at Pine Island Conservation Area is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm. Please contact staff at 321-449-4720 with any questions.
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Historic & Environmental Value
The size and shape of Florida has changed dramatically through the Millennia. At times it was only a few islands, at others, twice today's size. Here at the Sams House site we have uncovered evidence of life about 20,000 years ago, 4,000 years ago, and recent history. Take yourselves down our paths and through our houses. Explore the past in our own back yard.
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John H. Sams Homestead
The Sams family came to Brevard County from South Carolina in 1875 to take advantage of the 1860 Homestead Act. The family consisted of John Hanahan Sams, his wife Sarah, their five children, John's brother William Sams, and his sister Catherine DeVeaux Sams. The Sams Homestead consists of two buildings. The first, a single story home, was originally constructed in Eau Gallie on property homesteaded by John H. Sams in 1875. The family decided to move nearer to other relatives on North Merritt Island and the house was rafted up the Indian River in 1878 to the present site. It is the oldest dated structure on Merritt Island and a prime example of Florida vernacular construction. In 1884 Sams was granted a homestead deed for 156 acres and by 1888, built the second two-story home adjoining the older house on the property. Sams served as Superintendent of Schools for the county from 1880-1920, while growing citrus and pineapples. John H. Sams died in 1923 and the homes were occupied by his descendants until 1995. Archaeological excavations at the site discovered a prehistoric Native American occupation site that dates from approximately 5,000 BC to 1250 Ad, and also a late Pleistocene fossil site.
A Florida Heritage Site
Sponsored by the Brevard County Historical Commission,The Brevard County Tourist Development Council, and The Florida Department of State — F-575 — 2006
Brevard County EEL Sams House website
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The Sams House at Pine Island Conservation Area was created and is managed under Brevard County's Environmentally Endangered Lands Program referendum. The referendum was established by voters in 1990 to protect and preserve the rich biological diversity of Brevard County for future generations. The Sams House at Pine Island Conservation Area is the Central Region location with the distinguished oldest standing structure in Brevard County and operates in partnership with the Pine Island Preservation Society. Over 8 miles of trails are available along with historical and environmentally educational exhibits and hands on learning opportunities. Admission is free, open Tuesday through Sunday 9 to 5.
4/22/2012
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