Yesteryear Village

Step back in time at Yesteryear Village—a fascinating living history museum located in the city of West Palm Beach. Spanning a vast 10-acre site, the village recreates the history of the USA state of Florida between 1895 and 1945. It is a place where time seems to stand still, allowing guests to experience authentic artifacts and historical architecture.

The main highlight of the complex is its authenticity: the buildings presented here are not replicas—they are genuine historical structures transported from various regions across the state. Among them, you can find an old one-room schoolhouse, residences, and even specialized museums, such as the Telephone Museum and the Sewing Machine Museum.

This park is considered one of the city's most highly-rated historical attractions. It combines educational value with a cozy atmosphere, making history accessible and engaging for visitors of all ages. Here, you can see how daily life changed over half a century, from the first telephone sets to interior decor from the World War II era.

To clarify details about your visit or to inquire about special events, you can use the official contact information below. Museum staff are always happy to help tourists find their way around the complex.

The main activity in the village is a walk through the decades. You can step inside genuine homes and see how people lived a century ago. Be sure to visit the Telephone Museum, which features an impressive collection ranging from early 1922 switchboards to videophones from the late 1960s. It even houses a telephone once used by John F. Kennedy.

In the Sewing Machine Museum, located in a charming early 20th-century tourist cottage, you can explore not only machinery but also textiles, vintage hats, and kitchenware from that era. Families with children will enjoy peeking into the authentic schoolhouse and the mayor’s house to compare modern life with the living conditions of previous generations.

Tech enthusiasts will appreciate the collection of mechanical calculators, telegraph keys, and vintage modems. Admission to the grounds is typically paid (around $10 for adults, with discounts for seniors and children), but the investment is well worth it for the chance to see rare artifacts like explosion-proof phones for mines or unique operator consoles.

The attraction is located at 601-7 Sansbury's Way, on the grounds of the South Florida Fairgrounds. If you are planning to drive, it is best to use GPS coordinates or look for Gate 3 on the Sansbury's Way side to enter directly through the complex gates.

For those who prefer comfort, a taxi from downtown West Palm Beach or a drive from Palm Beach International Airport is a great option, taking about 20–25 minutes. Convenient parking for visitors is provided on the fairgrounds.

If you are using public transport, you can take the Palm Tran bus network. The nearest stops are just a few minutes' drive away, though a short walk or a quick taxi ride (about 10–15 minutes) may be required to reach the entrance of the historical village itself.

Yesteryear Village is a unique collection of historical buildings that were carefully relocated to West Palm Beach from various corners of Florida. Each house here has its own story: for example, the telephone museum building was constructed in 1931 in Lake Worth, while an old tourist cottage from Riviera Beach vividly demonstrates what the precursors to modern motels looked like in the early 20th century.

Special attention in the park is given to technological progress. Here you can see rare exhibits, such as a 1925 telegraph key and a 1922 cabinet that belonged to the daughter of Alexander Graham Bell. The Telephone Museum, which opened in January 2003, has become a true repository of memories from the era before automated communication, when every connection was facilitated by the work of telephone operators.

The park operates on the principle of a skansen—an open-air museum where architecture and everyday objects create a cohesive picture of life in the past. Exploring the exhibits, visitors can trace the evolution of life for South Florida residents from the pioneer days of the late 19th century through the end of the 1940s.

To leisurely stroll through all 10 acres of the grounds and peek inside every historical house, it usually takes about 2–3 hours. This is enough time to explore the main collections and soak up the atmosphere of old Florida.

If you are a passionate history or technology enthusiast, plan for a half-day visit. A detailed tour of the Telephone Museum and the Sewing Machine Museum, with their many small artifacts, can take much longer than a typical tourist walk.

The historical village has a fairly limited schedule, so it is best to plan your visit in advance. Typically, the complex is open to visitors on Thursday and Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The museum is generally closed on other days of the week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday). It is recommended to check the official website before your trip, as the schedule may change depending on events held at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

Your journey into the past can be perfectly complemented by a visit to modern entertainment and science centers located nearby. The area around the fairgrounds offers many options for active recreation and family leisure.