The House of Refuge at Gilbert?s Bar is a maritime museum in Hutchinson Island, Florida. The name may not sound like it, but the site is actually a former shipwreck life-saving station.

Also known as the Gilbert?s Bar House of Refuge and the House of Refuge Museum, the House of Refuge at Gilbert?s Bar, features the last remaining shipwreck lifesaving station in the Atlantic Coast of Florida. The structure dates back to 1876 when it was completed to help stranded sailors. It was used for seventy years before it was abandoned.

One of only ten shipwreck lifesaving stations in the state, the Gilbert?s Bar House of Refuge is truly a piece of history, even for just the structure alone. Luckily, it is now operated as a museum, featuring displays about the site?s purpose back in the 1800s, complete with life saving equipment used over the years.