This historic house was built in 1900 for Isaac Ellwood of DeKalb, Illinois. It was designed to be reminiscent of villas in ancient Pompeii, a Roman city destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

​

Today the Villa is available to tour or rent for special occasions. The house is furnished with beautiful 19th Century furniture.

Tours are available for groups of 10 or more with advance notice. Click on the link below to learn about educational programs at the Museum.

The Museum hosts three Popular Culture galleries featuring notable personalities of the Gulf Coast. The Music Hall of Fame features more than 60 music legends representing a wide array of genres. The Sports Legends Gallery highlights more than 60 athletes. Finally, the Notable People Gallery highlights 35 individuals who have achieved national and/or international recognition in a professional endeavor.

What you see on exhibit at the Museum is only the tip of the iceberg. The Museum has more than 35,000 items, many of which are rarely on display.

The Museum collects photographs, documents, and physical objects representing the biology and history of the Gulf Coast region ranging from prehistorict to present.