Dr. John Gorrie Museum: Inventor of the ice machine
If you would like to know who you have to thank for the air conditioning systems that are indispensable in Florida, you can find out more at the John Gorrie House Museum in Apalachicola . The physician Dr. John Gorrie lived in this house from 1803 to 1855. In order to cool patients with yellow fever, he developed an ice machine, which he patented in 1851. This made him the inventor of the first cold air machine for cooling rooms.
Gorrie was investigating tropical diseases when the yellow fever epidemic broke out. He came up with the idea of draining the bogs and cooling the sick rooms. Ice was hung from the ceiling for cooling, which first had to be brought by ship from the northern lakes. As this was very time-consuming, John experimented with artificial ice.
In 1845, he gave up his medical practice to concentrate fully on the refrigeration project – with success: on May 6, 1851, he was granted U.S. Patent 8080 for his ice machine, whereupon he further developed Jacob Perkins’ refrigerator system. Unfortunately, already impoverished, he tried to raise money to manufacture the machine. However, the venture failed due to the death of his partner. He was ridiculed, financially ruined and in poor health.
He did not live to see his success, as he died without knowing that his invention formed the basis for today’s refrigerator and air conditioning system. In addition to the model of the invention, the museum also has exhibits on the former local production of sponges. The storage of cotton is also a theme.
Information & route planner John Gorrie Museum
| Opening hours | Tue + Wed closed |
| Admission | for all 6 years and older: $ 2 |
| barrier-free | ✅ |
| Children | ✅ informative and suitable for children |
| Parking | ✅ free of charge |
