Tallahassee Museum

What Tallahassee Museum does

The Tallahassee Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution operating a 52-acre campus on Lake Bradford in Tallahassee, Florida. Founded in 1957 as the Tallahassee Junior Museum and rebranded to its current name in 1992, it combines wildlife exhibits, a working farm (Big Bend Farm), relocated historic structures (Old Florida Exhibit), a nationally significant sculpture collection (Jim Gary's Twentieth Century Dinosaurs), and three aerial adventure courses (Tree-To-Tree Adventures) on a single mixed-use site. The institution also operates an APPLE-accredited, Gold Seal Quality Care licensed preschool, and runs school-break camps, homeschool programs, birthday parties, facility rentals, community outreach, a museum store, and the Trail Break Café.

The museum serves a primarily regional audience in the Tallahassee–Big Bend area, including families with young children, K–12 school groups, homeschool families, seniors, and regional tourists. Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of general admissions (e.g., $17.50 adult), multi-tier memberships ($35 to $1,200+), Tree-To-Tree ticket sales, preschool tuition, summer and break camp fees, birthday-party and facility rentals, café and store sales, donations, and grants. Operations are supported by 55 employees and a documented volunteer base, with technology infrastructure limited to Blackbaud (ticketing/donations), JotForm (program registration), and Volgostics (volunteer management).

The institution has held American Alliance of Museums (AAM) accreditation continuously since 1985, most recently renewed in 2022, distinguishing it among regional peers. Leadership under President/CEO Russell Daws (since 1990) has emphasized program diversification, capital reinvestment (e.g., 2023 LED lighting retrofit across approximately 90% of buildings), and new partnership-driven exhibitions such as the 2024 America 250 Florida "The American Ideal" project.

Name

Tallahassee Museum

Legal name

Tallahassee Museum

Website

https://tallahasseemuseum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Tallahassee Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit operating a 52-acre Tallahassee, Florida campus that combines wildlife exhibits, historic buildings, aerial adventure courses, and an APPLE-accredited preschool, serving regional families, K–12 groups, and tourists through admissions, memberships, programs, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Museum and Nature Center

NAICS

Museums (712110), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Natural History Museums (THAJADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL), History Museums (THAJADAB), Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG), Wildlife Interpretation & Education Centers (Visitor Centers, Museums) (THAAAFAG), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG)

Keywords

• Nature museum exhibits
• Wildlife conservation education
• Historic preservation
• Early childhood education
• Aerial adventure courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Tallahassee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. General Admission Tickets: Visitors pay per-visit admission fees to enter the museum grounds and see exhibits. Ticket prices vary by age category (adults, seniors, college students, children). Members receive free admission as a benefit of their membership.
2. Tree-To-Tree Adventures Tickets: Separate ticketed activity for aerial obstacle courses and ziplines. Three course tiers available (Treemendous Adventures, Canopy Crossing, Soaring Cypress) at different price points. Combo tickets bundle Tree-To-Tree admission with museum admission.
3. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership tiers (Student $35, Basic $55, Dual $70, Friends & Family $95, Contributing $135, Habitat Club $235+, Naturalist $430+, Historian $600+, Patron $1,200+) provide free unlimited daytime admission, discounts on programs and Tree-To-Tree, guest passes, and store/cafe discounts. Memberships are the primary recurring revenue stream.
4. Educational Programs: Revenue from group programs, field trips, scout programs, homeschool programs, school break camps, and adult education experiences. Fees vary by program type and group size (e.g., $75 per program per 25 individuals for on-site programs).
5. Birthday Parties and Facility Rentals: Birthday party packages (indoor and outdoor) and facility rentals for events (company picnics, baby showers, reunions) generate venue rental revenue. Indoor parties run $400–$425; outdoor parties $285–$310.
6. Museum Store: On-site retail store selling local artisan works, museum-themed gifts, souvenirs, and products related to Big Bend area culture and natural environment.
7. Trail Break Cafe: On-site food and beverage service including seasonal mimosas on weekends. Open to museum visitors and the public.
8. Donations and Grants: Charitable donations from individuals, families, businesses, and sponsors; corporate matching gifts; endowment and planned giving; and special event/exhibit sponsorships. The museum also receives support from government entities.
9. Preschool Tuition: Early childhood education program with monthly tuition ($528 for morning class, $915 for full-day class for non-VPK students). VPK half-day is state-funded; parents pay a wrap-around fee for extended hours.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Tallahassee Museum operates a 52-acre outdoor museum featuring wildlife exhibits with native Florida animals, historic 19th-century buildings, a living history farm, Jim Gary's dinosaur sculpture collection, and an aerial adventure course. It sells admissions, memberships, educational programs including an APPLE-accredited preschool, school field trips, summer camps, birthday parties, and facility rentals, supported by an on-site store and cafe.

Product overview

The Tallahassee Museum is a 52-acre nature and history museum offering a diverse portfolio of interconnected products and services. The core experience includes general museum admission providing access to outdoor wildlife exhibits (Wildlife Florida trail with native animals), historic buildings (Old Florida with plantation house and church), and Big Bend Farm recreating 1880s farm life. The museum features distinctive attractions including Jim Gary's Twentieth Century Dinosaurs (automobile-part sculptures) and a Guest Animal Exhibit showcasing exotic species. Tree-To-Tree Adventures provides aerial zipline courses at three difficulty levels as a major recreational add-on. Educational products include an APPLE-accredited Preschool program, School Break Camps, Birthday Party Packages, Community Outreach Programs, and an Adult Lecture Series. Support services include the Museum Store and Trail Break Café. All offerings are unified under the museum's mission to connect visitors with natural and cultural environments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tree-To-Tree Adventures: Aerial adventure course featuring ziplines and obstacle courses in the trees
• Jim Gary's Twentieth Century Dinosaurs
• Tallahassee Museum Preschool
• Trail Break Cafe

Products and services

• General Museum Admission Entry to the 52-acre museum grounds featuring wildlife exhibits, nature trails, historic buildings, and various animal displays. Ticket prices vary by age category (Adults $17.50, Seniors 65+ $16.50, College Students w/ID $16.50, Children 4-15 $12.50, Children 3 and under free). Members receive free admission.
• Tree-To-Tree Adventures Aerial adventure courses featuring ziplines and obstacle courses through the trees, with three course options: Treemendous Adventures (11 obstacles, 11 platforms, 1 zipline; 30-45 min; Member $20/Non-Member $25), Canopy Crossing (13 obstacles, 24 platforms, 7 ziplines; 45-90 min; Member $45/Non-Member $50), and Soaring Cypress (20 obstacles, 39 platforms, 12 ziplines; 90+ min; Member $55/Non-Member $60). Uses the Quick Trekker Continuous Belay System for safety.
• Wildlife Florida Exhibit Elevated boardwalk trail showcasing 100+ native Florida wildlife species including American Alligator, Red Wolf, Black Bear, Cougar, North American River Otter, Bobcat, White-tailed Deer, Grey Fox, various birds of prey, snakes, and turtles in natural settings.
• Old Florida Exhibit Historic buildings including Bellevue plantation house, Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Seaboard Airline Caboose, and Concord Schoolhouse representing two centuries of North Florida history and 19th century Southern life.
• Big Bend Farm Living history exhibit recreating 1880s rural farm life with authentic farm buildings, animals (mules, sheep, cows, chickens), and demonstrations of farm activities.
• Jim Gary's Twentieth Century Dinosaurs Large colorful dinosaur sculptures made from discarded automobile parts, featuring 23 exhibit pieces including specimens spanning up to 43 feet in length and weighing up to 4,000 pounds.
• Tallahassee Museum Preschool APPLE Accredited and Gold Seal Quality Care preschool program for ages 3-5 offering nature-based education. Non-VPK Morning Class $528/month (Mon-Fri 9am-12pm); Non-VPK Full Day $915/month (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm); VPK wrap-around fee $615/month.
• School Break Camps Day camp programs for Kindergarten to 5th graders with themes including Red Wolf recognition, wildlife exploration, farm life, ziplining, and Junior Zookeeper experiences. $60 members / $65 nonmembers per day. Extended care (7:45am-9am and 4pm-5:30pm) $10/day additional.
• Birthday Party Packages Indoor and outdoor birthday party venues with themes including Woodland Creatures, Dino-Mania, Under the Sea, Pirate Adventure, and Farm, with optional animal encounters and Tree-to-Tree add-ons. Outdoor $285 members/$310 nonmembers (up to 25 guests); Indoor $400 members/$425 nonmembers (up to 35 guests).
• Community Outreach Programs Off-site programs bringing animals and educational content to schools, organizations, and events including Animal Encounters on the Go ($150 for 30-min session up to 50 people) and Educational Booths ($300 for up to 3 hours). Mileage fees of $0.75/mile apply beyond 20-30 miles round-trip.
• Adult Lecture Series Educational programs for adults featuring speakers on topics including history, demography, ocean science, and museum professionals.
• Night Prowl and Overnight Adventure Programs Night Prowl guided tours and overnight adventure experiences allowing groups to explore the museum after closing. Group Night Prowl: $275 for group of 25 (additional $10/person); $500 for 50 people (additional $9/person); $900 for 100 people. Overnight Adventure: starts at $525 for up to 15 individuals (additional $33/person), maximum 100 people.
• Museum Store Retail store featuring local artisan works, museum-themed gifts, souvenirs, and products related to Big Bend area culture and natural environment.
• Trail Break Cafe On-site food and beverage service including seasonal mimosas on weekends. Open to museum visitors and the public.
• Guest Animal Exhibit Rotating exhibit featuring exotic animals not native to Florida, currently home to a fishing cat from South and Southeast Asia.
• Annual Museum Membership Annual membership tiers (Student $35, Basic $55, Dual $70, Friends & Family $95, Contributing $135, Habitat Club $235+, Naturalist $430+, Historian $600+, Patron $1,200+) providing free unlimited daytime admission, discounts on programs and Tree-To-Tree, guest passes, and store/cafe discounts.
• Homeschool Program Monthly 2-hour homeschool programs for K-5th grade taught by museum educators, allowing parents to leave and return. $18 nonmember / $16 member per child per session.
• On-Site Group Programs On-site educational programs at the museum for K-5th grade groups: $75 per program per 25 individuals. Programs include Animal Quest, Animals On the Farm, Habitat Hunt, Down on the Farm, Florida Wildlife Tour, Big Bend Farm Tour, Night Creatures, and more. Aligned with Florida State Standards.
• Senior Programs Senior programs at $75 per program at the Museum / $100 at your site (plus $0.75/mile for trips over 20 miles). Programs include Artifacts Program, Butter-making, and Quilt Making.

Quantifiable outcome

• Membership pays for itself in 2-3 visits
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jim Gary FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011In 2011, the Jim Gary Foundation and Tallahassee Museum joined together to make the museum the permanent home of Jim Gary's Twentieth Century Dinosaurs, the largest restored collection of his dinosaur works in the world. The foundation preserves Gary's legacy while the museum hosts and maintains the 23 sculptures.
• Florida Youth Conservation Centers NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe museum is partnered with FYCCN to provide continued education and certifications for museum staff. This partnership enables unique opportunities for museum guests including special wildlife programming and archery skills training.
• City of Tallahassee (TAPP Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe museum partners with the City of Tallahassee's TAPP (Tree and Landscape Technical Assistance Program) and the Leon County Environmental Services Division in developing Tallahassee's Green Infrastructure Education and Outreach Program at the museum site. This program educates community members on stormwater best management practices and water conservation.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe museum is a Conservation Partner of the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch Program. As a Conservation Partner, the museum promotes sustainable seafood messaging through public programs, community outreach events, exhibits, and animal feeding programs.
• Visit TallahasseeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe museum works with Visit Tallahassee, the local convention and visitors bureau, to promote tourism to the museum as part of regional travel itineraries. Featured in their promotional materials and on the 'Stay in Tallahassee' section of the museum website.
• Florida Division of Arts and CultureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Florida Division of Arts and Culture, a state agency, provides funding and promotional support for the museum's cultural programs and exhibits, including the Phipps Gallery and cultural heritage programming.
• Florida PrepaidminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFlorida Prepaid promotes the museum as part of its promotional partnerships, featured on the museum's footer alongside other community partners including City of Tallahassee and Visit Tallahassee.
• America 250 FloridaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe museum is affiliated with America 250 Florida (the state's America 250 Semiquincentennial celebration), hosting programs like 'The American Ideal' exhibition that commemorates the nation's 250th anniversary. The museum is listed as a partner on the America 250 Florida website footer.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Museum of Science & History (MOSH): MOSH is a regional Jacksonville, Florida science and history museum with similar exhibits, educational programs, and an IMAX/giant-screen theater. It is one of the closest direct comparables to the Tallahassee Museum's combined nature-and-history format, serving the same North Florida audience.
• Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary: A 289-acre nature museum and wildlife sanctuary in McKinney, TX with native wildlife trails, historic preservation, and educational programs. Strong analog for the Tallahassee Museum's outdoor nature trail + education + historic buildings combination.
• Brookgreen Gardens: A 9,100-acre cultural and nature preserve in Murrells Inlet, SC combining native wildlife exhibits, sculpture gardens, and historical interpretation. Closely comparable to the Tallahassee Museum's nature/history/sculpture overlap and educational programming.
• Florida Museum of Natural History: Located in Gainesville, FL, this is the state-level natural history museum featuring Florida wildlife exhibits, biodiversity collections, and educational programs. Closely comparable to the Tallahassee Museum's wildlife trail and natural history collections offering.
• Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium: A Southwest Florida nature center featuring native animals, a planetarium, and educational programming in a comparable mid-sized nonprofit structure. Closely comparable in mission, scale, and educational programming model.

Regional players

• Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens: A regional zoo and botanical garden in Sanford, FL combining animal exhibits, education programs, and aerial adventure attractions (treetop trekking). Closely comparable to the Tallahassee Museum's combined wildlife + aerial adventure footprint.
• Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens: An AZA-accredited zoo in Jacksonville, FL exhibiting 2,000+ animals and botanical gardens. Operates in the same North Florida geography and similarly emphasizes native species, education, and family admissions/membership revenue.
• Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens: A Florida zoo with a historic botanical garden, native wildlife exhibits, and educational programming. Comparable size and operating model to the Tallahassee Museum's wildlife and educational offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Stone Mountain Park: A major Southeastern outdoor attraction in Georgia combining historical sites, nature areas, and adventure rides. Comparable as a regional outdoor destination combining heritage, nature, and adventure entertainment, though at a significantly larger scale.
• Silver Dollar City: A larger themed outdoor attraction in Branson, MO combining historical crafts exhibits, adventure rides, and shows. Comparable as a multi-attraction outdoor destination combining heritage, recreation, and family entertainment, though at a much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tallymus
• Facebookfacebook.com/tallahasseemuseum
• Instagraminstagram.com/tallahasseemuseum/?hl=en
• Pinterestpinterest.com/tallymuseum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tallahassee-museum

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tallahassee Museum