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All the United States Florida Apalachicola John Gorrie Ice Machine Museum

John Gorrie Ice Machine Museum

Of course the guy with the first patent for an ice machine lived in Florida.

Apalachicola, Florida

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Rachel M
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3/4 scale replica of Gorrie’s patented ice machine, on display at the Museum.   Florida State Parks, Gorrie Museum
John Gorrie Museum, including his ice maker.   momoja (Atlas Obscura User)
The John Gorrie Museum. Like the sign says, “Welcome to the real Florida”   Katy Warner
Portrait of a young John Gorrie.   Florida State Parks Collection, Gorrie Museum
Gorrie’s patented method of making ice, granted in 1851.   U.S. Patent No. 8080
Gorrie Monument.   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
Inset of the monument.   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
Gorrie’s headstone.   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
Gorrie in National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol.   Architect of the Capitol
John Gorrie’s Ice machine (3/4 replica)   Gottem127 / Atlas Obscura User
  Gottem127 / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Far picture of Gorrie’s Monument   Gottem127 / Atlas Obscura User
Gorrie Square   nfernandez / Atlas Obscura User
Dr. John Gorrie plaque.   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In 1833, John Gorrie was a young physician looking for a place to practice. He found it in the port city of Apalachicola, Florida. There, although he was a tireless resident at two hospitals, he found time to serve (at various times) as postmaster, bank director, councilman, city treasurer, and even mayor. But it’s his research into tropical diseases and treatments for yellow fever that had the most lasting effect, on both locals and far beyond.

Dr. John Gorrie is remembered as the father of air conditioning.

Gorrie’s hypothesis was that “bad air” was the cause of many of his patients’ diseases. His innovative treatment required the cooling of sickrooms, which he achieved by placing blocks of ice in basins suspended from the ceiling. Since ice had to be transported by boat from northern lakes, and the treatment needed large quantities of ice, Gorrie began experimenting with making it artificially. In 1845, he gave up his medical practice to focus on inventions, and in 1851 was granted the first U.S. patent for mechanical refrigeration.

Unfortunately, after a financial partner died, Gorrie was unable to find anyone else to back his machine, and he died at the age of 52, secluded and nearly penniless. Though there are disagreements over who invented the air conditioner, it is widely agreed that Gorrie’s ice machine, and his patent for mechanical refrigeration, were major steps toward its development.

Originally buried in Magnolia Cemetery, after breaking ground for a museum in his honor, Gorrie’s body was moved and the John Gorrie Museum State Park was dedicated in 1958. It is across the street from the new gravesite and heritage marker in Gorrie Square, and also near a large monument that tells his story.

His influence and achievements meant so much to Floridians, in 1914 he was chosen to represent the state in the National Statuary Hall Collection at the U.S. Capitol. You can still see him on the tour today, where it’s nice and cool.

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Museums Museums And Collections Inventors Ice

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Admission to the museum is $2 for those over the age of 6. Open 9-5 every day except Tuesdays and Wednesday.

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Mom0ja

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Collector of Experiences, Gottem127, nfernandez

  • Collector of Experiences
  • Gottem127
  • nfernandez

Published

April 24, 2017

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  • https://todayinsci.com/G/Gorrie_John/GorrieJohn-Apalachicola(1958).htm
  • https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/john-gorrie-museum
  • https://www.flickr.com/photos/sundazed/5479769489/in/photolist-9mefyi-9mhkHd
John Gorrie Ice Machine Museum
42-60 6th Street
Apalachicola, Florida
United States
29.724649, -84.985202
Visit Website
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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Florida

Florida

United States

Places 435
Stories 47

Nearby Places

Crooked River Lighthouse

Carrabelle, Florida

miles away

World's Smallest Police Station

Carrabelle, Florida

miles away

Carrabelle Bottle House

Carrabelle, Florida

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Florida

Florida

United States

Places 435
Stories 47

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