The Stephens House

Built in 1912 by the Will Stephens family, this home is a prime example of the “Cracker Gothic” style and an excellent representation of a Florida rural frame house from the period between the 1870's and World War I. It was the third home on the Stephens homestead, established in 1894, in what has become western Hardee County. The pine timber and heart pine blocks used in its construction were cut on the homestead. The house had no electricity, and the fireplace provided heat. For cooling, it was raised about 2-1/2 feet so air could circulate from beneath the house into the interior through cracks in the floor. A pitcher pump on the back porch supplied water. Porches on three sides shaded and cooled the breeze before it entered the house, and the large central hallway, or “dog-trot,” with a high ceiling funneled the cooled air through the house. The International Minerals and Chemical Corporation later acquired the homestead and donated the house to the Manatee County Historical Commission. It was moved to the park in February 1982, restored by volunteer labor with funds contributed by the community, and opened to the public in 1984.

Bradenton, Florida · United States