 Sams House at Pine Island
Conservation Area
Sams House is an historic home on Merritt Island, Brevard County,
Florida. It is the Management and Education Center for the Brevard County
Environmentally Endangered Lands Program's Pine Island Conservation Area.
6195 N. Tropical Trail
Merritt Island, FL 32953
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Phone: 321-255-4466
Fax: 321-255-4499
eel-info@brevardparks.com |
| Center Hours
Tuesday through Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 pm
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| Trail Hours
October through April: 7:00 AM - 6:00 pm
May through September: 7:00 AM - 8:00 pm
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Latitude: 28.472785 — Longitude: -80.7183693
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| In 1875 John H. Sams built the cabin which is
considered the oldest standing home in Brevard County, FL. He brought it to this
location in 1878 from Eau Gallie, deconstructed, floated up the Indian River Lagoon,
and reassembled here. His family, in this 600 sq. ft. cabin consisted of 4 adults and
6 children. The cabin originally had 3 rooms. It later spent time as a school,
church and a workshop. They built the large house in 1888. It is a classic Florida
vernacular style that accommodated a family with 8 children, some of whom were grown
at the time this house was built. Sam's older brother and sister lived here too.
This 1,260 sq. ft. home has two large rooms, a family room and an office on the first
floor. Upstairs are three bedrooms and the bath. The kitchen was in a separate
building. Until the 1930's there was no indoor plumbing, so an outhouse was located
nearby. In the 1950's part of the large porch was turned into a kitchen. The interior
woodwork and exterior siding are original. Both buildings are constructed of pine.
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September 2025 Events at Sams House
Bring Your Own Kayak-Monday, September 15, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM-Meet us at the Thousand Islands Conservation Area for our monthly water tour. Meet at 599 Ramp Road, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. Register on Eventbrite.
Frontier School: Orienteering and Navigation-Friday, September 19, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM-Explore the ways people have navigated in the past and how we navigate today. Find the Sams House treasure using only a compass and a map! Recommended for ages 6 -12. Register on Eventbrite.
Wild and Watercolored-Sunday, September 21, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM-Splash, Swirl, and roar! Join us anytime and create colorful wildlife art with coffee filters and watercolors. Supplies are provided.
Hands-on Nature Hike-Saturday, September 27, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM-Join the Sams House Naturalists on a “Sensory Stroll" through the Sams House trails. Let explore the natural world using our senses. All ages are welcome
Saturday Bird Walks at Sams House-Every Saturday 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM-Join the Naturalist Staff (weather permitting) as we look and listen for birds around the park. From beginner to expert, all levels of birders are welcome. We encourage you to bring your own binoculars, if possible. We have a limited supply to borrow if necessary. Please meet out front between the cabin and the white house prior to the 9 AM walk.
Scavenger Hunt-Every Sunday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM-Stop by the 1888 house to pick up your nature hunt. Enjoy the afternoon exploring the grounds.
House and Cabin Tour-Every Thursday and Saturday at 3:00 PM-Tour the inside of Brevard County’s oldest standing home (1875) and the adjacent 1888. Florida Vernacular-style home to learn about the Sams Family
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Historic & Environmental Value
The size and shape of Florida has changed dramatically through the Millennia. At times it
was only a few islands, at others, twice today's size. Here at the Sams House site we have
uncovered evidence of life about 20,000 years ago, 4,000 years ago, and recent history.
Take yourselves down our paths and through our houses. Explore the past in our own back
yard.
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| John H. Sams
Homestead The Sams family came to Brevard County from South Carolina in 1875 to take
advantage of the 1860 Homestead Act. The family consisted of John Hanahan Sams, his wife
Sarah, their five children, John's brother William Sams, and his sister Catherine DeVeaux
Sams. The Sams Homestead consists of two buildings. The first, a single story home, was
originally constructed in Eau Gallie on property homesteaded by John H. Sams in 1875. The
family decided to move nearer to other relatives on North Merritt Island and the house was
rafted up the Indian River in 1878 to the present site. It is the oldest dated structure
on Merritt Island and a prime example of Florida vernacular construction. In 1884 Sams was
granted a homestead deed for 156 acres and by 1888, built the second two-story home
adjoining the older house on the property. Sams served as Superintendent of Schools for
the county from 1880-1920, while growing citrus and pineapples. John H. Sams died in 1923
and the homes were occupied by his descendants until 1995. Archaeological excavations at
the site discovered a prehistoric Native American occupation site that dates from
approximately 5,000 BC to 1250 Ad, and also a late Pleistocene fossil site. A
Florida Heritage Site
Sponsored by the Brevard County Historical
Commission,The Brevard County Tourist Development Council, and The Florida Department of
State — F-575 — 2006
Brevard County
EEL Sams House website
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The Sams House at Pine Island Conservation Area was created and is managed
under Brevard County's Environmentally Endangered Lands Program referendum. The referendum
was established by voters in 1990 to protect and preserve the rich biological diversity of
Brevard County for future generations. The Sams House at Pine Island Conservation Area is
the Central Region location with the distinguished oldest standing structure in Brevard
County and operates in partnership with the Pine Island Preservation Society. Over 8 miles
of trails are available along with historical and environmentally educational exhibits and
hands on learning opportunities. Admission is free, open Tuesday through Sunday 9 to
5.
4/22/2012 - 10/5/2024
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