Hotel Royal Poinciana, Palm Beach, 1908. Flagler Museum Archives.

2024 Fall Exhibition

In the Golden Dreamland of Winter:
Henry Flagler’s FEC Hotel Company 

October 15, to Sunday, December 29, 2024

The Flagler Museum will open its 2024 - 2025 Season with the exhibition, In the Golden Dreamland of Winter: Henry Flagler’s FEC Hotel Company. The exhibition focuses on the work of Henry Flagler and his transformative impact on the Floridian economy through the Florida East Coast Hotel Company through an in-depth exploration of Flagler’s pioneering spirit and his role in opening up Florida as a premier travel destination.

Henry Flagler, often referred to as the inventor of modern Florida, embarked on a bold journey that reshaped the State’s landscape and economy. This exhibition reveals his innovative venture, starting with the establishment of the Hotel Ponce de Leon in St. Augustine, expanding down the coastline, including the Hotel Royal Poinciana, the largest wooden structure in the world, the Palm Beach Inn, later renamed as The Breakers, and the Hotel Royal Palm in Miami. Florida’s hotels were more than just accommodations; they represented a gateway to discovery, inviting guests to explore a new and enchanting part of the country.

Flagler’s FEC Hotel Company was a testament to his belief in making the most of life, seeing Florida’s untapped beauty, and taking bold chances to create a thriving hospitality industry that continues to be a mainstay of the State’s economy to this day.

In the Golden Dreamland of Winter: Henry Flagler’s FEC Hotel Company runs from Tuesday, October 15, to Sunday, December 29, 2024.

Sponsored by: