Unlocking our past to preserve our future.
Norman Haines Photography
Pursue the Past..... Enrich Your Future
Just think of Pensacola without Seville Square and its historic neighborhood, the historic Dorr house and the restored Barkley House. All of these areas are preserved, to be enjoyed today and into the future because of Pensacola Heritage Foundation.
The Pensacola Heritage Foundation, Inc. was established in 1964 by its founder Mary Turner Rule and is affiliated with the National and Florida Trusts for Historic Preservation. The Foundation is the oldest historic preservation organization in our area and continues to pursue its mission of preserving and protecting Pensacola’s rich history through educational programs and community activities.
Whether you are a newcomer to the area or a life-long resident, we promise that you will discover something new through our educational programs. If you are interested in and care about the rich heritage of our community, then we invite you to become a member of this Foundation.
Pensacola: Restoring Our Past
The Pensacola Heritage Foundation’s first project was to restore one of the oldest homes in downtown Pensacola to its original condition. That was the Dorr House, located right on Seville Square. Next was the restoration of Seville Square itself. The Foundation also undertook the restoration of the Barkley House from which we operated more than 15 years.
For 25 years the Pensacola Heritage Foundation had a long tradition of making Seville Square the center of our community as well as a gathering ground for the Evenings In Olde Seville Square concert series which offered free entertainment to the public with thousands of people attending the concerts every Thursday during the summer.
Mission Statement
To preserve and protect Pensacola’s heritage through advocacy, education and community development.
Promoting Education
Scholarship Essay Contest
Pensacola Heritage Foundation promotes education with our annual Scholarship Essay Contest. The Foundation awards two deserving college bound high school students, one student from Escambia County and one student from Santa Rosa County, $1000 scholarships towards their college education.
2023 History Fair
The Escambia County History Fair was held on February 4. PHF member Jim Gulley attended and judged the many great submissions from Escambia County students. The three winners chosen by Pensacola Heritage Foundation are Sarah Tanveer, Luke Tarnosky and Alice Zhang who were each awarded a $100.00 check from PHF at the ceremony on February 7.The Santa Rosa County History Fair was held on February 16 and Jim Gulley chose Kira Benton from Santa Rosa Online Academy as our PHF winner. Congratulations to all the students who participated!
Galvez Project
Norman Haines Photography
On March 22, 2016 The Pensacola Heritage Foundation announced our largest project ever, constructing a statue of General Bernardo de Gálvez. On March 18, 1781, Gálvez led the naval charge into the well-defended Pensacola Bay, a feat of daring that would earn him a royal patent adding the words “Yo Solo” (“I alone”) to his coat-of-arms. His forces landed near Bayou Chico and began a steady advance towards the city’s defenses, which included Fort George on Gage Hill (Palafox Street) and its two advance redoubts. After weeks of siege, a Spanish mortar detonated the powder magazine at the Queen’s Redoubt on May 8, devastating the British fortification. Gálvez accepted the surrender of British Governor John Campbell and claimed West Florida for Spain. By taking Pensacola, Gálvez stripped Britain of a key foothold on the Gulf Coast, which in turn benefited the American Colonists in their quest for independence. General Gálvez was named a "Great Floridian" in 2012. In 2014, the United States Congress conferred an
Honorary Citizenship on Gálvez, citing him as a hero of the Revolutionary War.
The monument is a life-size bronze statue of Gálvez astride his horse and facing the site of Fort George, his hat raised in victory.
The $450,000 statue was created by Retired Navy Captain Robert Rasmussen and his daughter, Kathryn R. Vincze. The statue was unveiled and dedicated on May 8, 2018 as part of the celebration of Galvez Day.
The event drew several hundred people downtown, including Spanish dignitaries from Gálvez's birthplace, the Spanish city of Macharaviaya.
If you would like to donate and receive on-site recognition, please contact pnsheritage@yahoo.com, or visit Galvezmonument.com for more information.
General Bernardo de Gálvez
Lecture Series
The Pensacola Heritage Foundation is pleased
to present its 2024 Lecture Series
with Dr. Norm Haines.
Dr. Haines is giving lectures on the History of Pensacola. The lectures are
held every other Tuesday at The Wright Place, 80 E. Wright Street, Pensacola, Florida.
Doors open at 11:00 and lunch is served at 11:30. The lecture starts at 12 noon and lasts 1 hour. Lecture cost is $5.00 for non-members and is free to members. Lunches are $12. Reservations are required for planning purposes (please make your reservations ahead of time) and can be made by contacting Pensacola Heritage Foundation by email pnsheritage@yahoo.com or phone reservation 850-380-7759.
The deadline for the lunch reservation is the Friday prior to the lecture.
2024 Schedule of Lectures
March 19: On the Corner of Trials & Tribulation: A Virtual Tour of the Old Warrington & Woolsey Cemetery
Apr. 2nd: Pensacola's Street: Whats in a Name?
April 16: The Battle of Santa Rosa Island
April 30: East Hill versus North Hill
May 14: The Battle of Antietam: Lessons in Leadership
May 28: Pensacola's Mid Century Architecture by Professor Brian Rucker, Pensacola State College
Special Events
PHF's Spring Fling
Was held on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the Island Cove Marina Clubhouse. We had the largest attendance and it was an evening of fun, fellowship and great food!
Galvez Day
For the past 5 years Pensacola Heritage Foundation has honored General Gálvez with a ceremony at the Galvez monument. The May 6, 2022 celebration featured the Sons of the American Revolution from at least 3 states wearing their uniforms marching down Palafox Street from Ft. George. PHF President Barbara Fitzpatrick opened with a welcome speech, followed by speeches by Mayor Grover Robinson and visiting Spanish dignitary, Francisco Salado Escano. Capt. Bob Rasmussen spoke about the work involved in sculpting the worlds largest monument to Bernardo de Gálvez. Children from the Episcopal Day School entertained with a song sung in Spanish. PHF's two Galvez essay winners were honored and the ceremony closed with the two mayors, Grover Robinson and Antonio Campos of Macharaviaya, laying the wreath at the monument.
Second North Hill Tour
On January 28, 2023, we toured the 1895 Charles Hill Turner Cottage owned by Lisa and Tommi Lyter. Contractor Nanette Chandler conducted the tour and explained the various techniques that she and her crew used to renovate this house and restore it to its former beauty. The tour was followed by a lunch at Seville Quarter.
North Hill Tour
On June 25, 2022 we had a tour of the amazing 120 year old historical home of Melanie Nichols and Jeff Dearth, complete with a piano player and refreshments for our enjoyment. PHF has plans for more of these member benefits. The summer is hot and so is PHF.
Brick Street Tour
Our first Brick Street Tour was held on January 8, 2022. PHF Members visited houses in Old East Hill and heard from the owners how they renovated their homes while retaining their historical beauty. Afterwards, we had a lovely brunch at Nick's Boathouse. We plan to offer more tours like this in the near future.
Become a Member
Benefits & Dues
Pensacola Heritage Foundation
Become a part of an organization whose work is never finished. As long as our community's heritage is threatened, we will be there to encourage preservation and remind others that our heritage is what makes Pensacola a unique and very special place.
Individual: $40/annual
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Free admission to the lecture programs for one individual
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Heritage Times Newsletter
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Free admission to the Annual Members Party
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Access to Members-only Historical Tours
Family: $70/annual
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Free admission to the lecture programs for two adults and all children in the household
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Heritage Times Newsletter
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Free admission for two adults to the Annual Members Party
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Access to Members-only Historical Tours
Lifetime Member: $500/one time
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Same benefits of Family membership for a lifetime
Historian Level: $1,000/one time
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Same benefits of Lifetime Membership plus
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Two free Historical Home Tour & Luncheon Tickets
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PHF Swag Bag with miscellaneous perks
* Existing "Lifetime" Level Members may upgrade their membership to "Historian" Level with an additional $500 donation.
Pensacola, Florida 1885