Living history seeks to educate visitors by interpreting how people lived in the past through demonstrations and interaction. Our colonial programming depicts life in the early 19th century when Pensacola was a colony under Spanish rule. Activities include open hearth cooking, butter churning, gardening, candle making, laundry and more.

Our Victorian programming depicts life in the late 19th century in the boom years of Pensacola’s industries. Focusing on the leisure activities of the middle and upper classes, programs include lawn games, picnics, bicycling, garden parties, and tea.

The first floor of the Tivoli House serves as a ticket outlet and museum store offering unique Historic Pensacola items, books, souvenirs and refreshments. Reconstructed from photographic and archaeological evidence for Pensacola’s bicentennial in 1976, the original 1805 Tivoli House was once a boarding and gaming house and tavern. To the east of the original structure was a large octagonal theatre and ballroom that served as a meeting place for early Pensacolians.