About the Preservation Society
The Eustis Historical Museum and Preservation Society, Inc. governs and oversees the operation of the Eustis Historical Museum, located
in the Clifford House, Eustis, Florida. The Society is governed by a 5-person (minimum) Board of Trustees and 5 elected officers, comprising the Governing
Board which also serves as the governing board for the Museum.
The Society strives to expand their efforts to successfully implement the Mission Statement of the Museum:
"The mission of this museum is to unite and utilize the combined efforts, talents and resources of the members to collect, preserve and display historical, cultural,
educational artifacts pertaining to Eustis, Lake County, and the State of Florida, and conduct educational programs for the general public."
The Eustis Historical Museum and Preservation Society is pleased to have an effective and energetic Director, Wendy Houdek Erskine, as its Curator.
Finding, keeping and maintaining our local history is so important for present and future generations and that is what we do here at
the Eustis Historical Museum. The Clifford House, which is home to the museum, was built in 1910-1911, and remains much the
same today as the day it was built. The Citrus Museum tells a tale of Eustis’ early days and the booming citrus industry that brought
many settlers to Eustis.
The museum is a wonderful place for visitors to learn about local history, and the formation of the City of Eustis, but also a place for
locals to trace family history and see a picture of a relative from generations ago.
The Clifford House contains 18 rooms, 6 fireplaces and 4500 square feet of Eustis History. Each room has a theme, adorned with
many of the original pieces of furniture and family heirlooms. The “Indiana Jones Room” dedicated to the memory of Dr. Edgar J. Banks
is one of the most popular. Dr. Banks was a professor and archaeologist who spent time here in Eustis, Florida. He is the inspiration
for the “Indiana Jones” character in the movies and many say looks much like Harrison Ford.
There are three intricate models of historic buildings that no longer exist here in Eustis, such as the Ocklawaha Hotel, the Fountain Inn
and the Grand View Hotel. In the early 1900’s Eustis was known as a vacation paradise, catering to many wealthy northerners that
traveled here in the winter for rest, relaxation and the wonderful year-round sunshine.
Whether you want to browse at your leisure, or have an in-depth personalized tour, we are happy to accommodate you. From one to
groups of 101, the museum welcomes you for a visit.
The Eustis Historic Museum and the Citrus Museum is a 501c3 non-profit organization. We rely on memberships, grants, donations,
fundraisers and assistance from the City of Eustis to maintain the museum for future generations.
It is really an honor to be the Curator of the Museum and the keeper of so many of these fine things. Please plan a trip to visit us.
We are open to the public from 1-5 pm, Monday through Friday and from 12-4pm the first Saturday of every month, and admission
is free.
Hope to see you here in Eustis,
Wendy Houdek Erskine
Curator
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