Chinsegut Hill Historic Site
Chinsegut Hill Historic Site
4.5
About
Located atop one of the highest points in Florida, Chinsegut Hill is home to a historic house situated in a 114-acre preserve. From prehistoric people to pioneer settlers, from an agrarian plantation before the Civil War to the emancipation of enslaved people, Chinsegut Hill has witnessed thousands of years of Florida’s history. During the 1920s and 1930s, new owners of the home hosted progressive-era luminaries Thomas Edison, Helen Keller, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and others before eventually donating the property to the government. Explore the diverse stories of Florida’s past in one unique location: Chinsegut Hill Historic Site.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
43 reviews
Excellent
26
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10
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3
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1
maketrax
Altamonte Springs, FL288 contributions
Mar 2023
This building sits on one of the higher points of the Florida peninsula. Our tour guide said it was the second highest point of the peninsula, but Chinsegut Hill is actually the 10th highest point on the peninsula. He also said the highest point of the peninsula was where the Bok Tower is located, on top of Iron Mountain, except that Iron Mountain is only the 7th highest point of the peninsula. The highest point of the peninsula is Sugarloaf Mountain. A simple search of Google and a Wikipedia article on Florida's highest points can prove this. The fact that the people at the museum couldn't bother to fact check their own information is rather disappointing. If you got that simple detail wrong, what other information are you giving out as fact, but is actually wrong?
The information on the tour about the owners of the house was interesting, but I wasn't that impressed with the home. Very little of what is inside is actually original to the home. Most of the items are period pieces brought in to show "typical" furniture of that time period. It is notable for being one of the few Florida plantation homes that still exist, and the view from the hill is impressive (for Florida), but that's about it.
The information on the tour about the owners of the house was interesting, but I wasn't that impressed with the home. Very little of what is inside is actually original to the home. Most of the items are period pieces brought in to show "typical" furniture of that time period. It is notable for being one of the few Florida plantation homes that still exist, and the view from the hill is impressive (for Florida), but that's about it.
Written March 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mkemling2
Inverness, FL18 contributions
Aug 2022 • Solo
Nothing to write home about. Sorry folks but this museum needs updating. The free self guided tour was more interesting than the actual $5.00 tour of the inside. Had they just let us walk in the rooms and not repeat everything we already read outside, that in itself would be an improvement. “They” called the upstairs a “Working Museum” but in reality it was a huge junk room! (Should have been blocked off)! P.s. our tour guide was a bit forgetful and loooonnngg winded, we had to keep walking to get the tour over with.
Written August 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joanne P
Tampa, FL10 contributions
Dec 2020 • Friends
Our docent Garry Moore was excellent! He was well-informed, engaging, even read the books with the history of the ownership. Very articulate and fun. Yes if you want to bring small children they will have to bring in more period correct children's toys outside. But for those interested in history and facts I would highly recommend it. They were very kind to us to show us where to have picnics and where to see the best overlooks.
Written December 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gail A
3 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
Our tour guide was Garry Moore. He was extremely knowledgeable and excellent in taking us through the house. He knew quite a bit about the families and the history of the property as well as the state of Florida. Then during a thunderstorm which kept us on the front porch, we spoke to two of the other docents who were as well informed as Garry was. Because it was late in the afternoon and raining we didn't get to walk the grounds. I can't wait to go back and do that as well as ponder some of the books and history that could be found in the gift shop. I totally awesome experience I would recommend to everyone.
Written August 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmberLynnRN
Spring Hill, FL105 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Chinsegut Hill Historic Site recently reopened after a new partnership was established. The 2 groups have done a fantastic job working on mmit and I the building and the property. They have guided tours every half an hour from 10am to 4pm on the weekends and there is so much information given during those tours. Info about the families who have lived in the house and all the famous people who have visited through the years including Helen Keller, Thomas Edison and JCPenney! 😯 They literally just reopened today (August 1st) and did a phenomenal job. I can't wait to go back and learn even more about this hidden Hernando county gem!!
Written August 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Supporter of good
Trinity, FL24 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
We've lived in PInellas/Pasco counties since 1982 and never knew this gem existed until today! What an incredible find after hearing about it at the Blueberry Festival. Rick and Sandee gave such a hospitable welcome and amazing guided tour full of information. You could feel the history all around this beautiful plantation and property. Then we viewed the cottages! What an amazing place this would be for school, work, and personal retreats, reunions, gatherings and team building. Don't miss out on this unknown treasure. We are so happy to have "discovered" this new treasure in our area and look forward to returning.
Written April 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JULIA K
Weeki Wachee, FL46 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
We went here after hearing about this place during a local community meeting. It was nearly empty during our visit. We signed in but did not see or hear any employees during our one hour visit. There are two tours offered during the day, but we missed both. We signed ourselves in and made our $3 donation. The mansion is very bright with lots of windows, fresh paint, and period furnishings. There are some out buildings-- a dilapidated wash house and the grounds keepers one room cabin, circa 1933 and in ruins, but very atmospheric. There is a tiny cemetery on the grounds. The mature oak trees are very beautiful and heavily draped in Spanish moss. The mansion sits on high ground and has a commanding view of Hernando County to the southeast. You cannot see the mansion from the road, so if you miss the signage, you're lost. Worth a visit if you want to explore the local history.
Written January 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rkrieger3
Beverly Hills, FL1 contribution
Feb 2018 • Couples
We arrived around 10:00 AM on a Friday and proceed to the front door. We were met by a woman that told us the museum was closed that day. I mentioned the web site did not mention that and she immediately started to interrogate me as to what site I was looking at. After some discussion she said we could take a self guided tour which we did. We found the building and furniture very interesting. My wife and I have been visiting historical sites for near 50 years. I found that the building and grounds were in need of serious repairs. The entrance was not in great shape nor well marked and there was much information written on chalk boards that did not apply the day we were there. I would have liked to have seen more information about the grounds, location other buildings on the property,etc. I believe it could be a much better site with some work and staff training.
Written February 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ronflausa
Dade City, FL133 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
The volunteer’s presentation was very boring and all over the place making it hard to follow. I think there was a great story to be told, and a most interesting one, but what was presented was not that. I travel all over this country, and this was amongst the worst presentations I have ever experienced.
Written November 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am very sorry to hear that you did not have a good tour experience. Chinsegut history is fascinating and our guides normally communicate that to visitors. We will work to discover what happened that day and speak to the guide about what went wrong. I hope you are able to give it another shot - different guides work each day of the museum.
Written November 27, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
NLC67
Brooksville, FL47 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
Chinsegut Hill is a lovely former mansion with ties to the local community. Various educations seminars and lectures are often held there, as well as food events. Currently a gourmet lunch is offered 3 days a week and it is delicious.
If you're looking for a quiet , peaceful refuge, Chinsegut Hill is the place for you. You can visit for free, walk around , enjoy the surroundings, but there is a nominal fee to tour the house.
If you're looking for a quiet , peaceful refuge, Chinsegut Hill is the place for you. You can visit for free, walk around , enjoy the surroundings, but there is a nominal fee to tour the house.
Written November 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for visiting and taking the time to review us! We are thrilled you enjoyed the property as well as the lunch. See you again soon!
Written November 10, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sue H
Homosassa, FL34 contributions
If you just want to come to stroll around the grounds can you do this during the week or only on weekends?
Tampa Bay History Center
Tampa, FL
Hi Sue, Chinsegut Hill Historic Site is only open on the weekends. We hope to see you soon for a house tour!
debwi2022
Larsen, WI73 contributions
Memorial weekend this year-next month-what are the hours? I am going to be in the area and would like to visit the site
nkahler7
Brooksville, FL2 contributions
As of today, we do not have any events booked for that day. That means we will have the grounds open for regular Monday hours (10am-4pm). Call the office as the date gets closer for information about tour availability. There is no charge for walking the grounds.
debwi2022
Larsen, WI73 contributions
What are the hours it is open? Do you have to have a large group or advance reservations?
nkahler7
Brooksville, FL2 contributions
FLKenJan did a good job listing our current hours, but it is always good to call ahead as we can be closed for private events and certain weather conditions. We have begun to accept credit/debit, but cash is preferred for tours. We also prefer that large groups make reservations, so we can make sure to have enough guides to handle the group.
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