On July 1, 2003, one year after funding from the State of Florida, the new Visitors Center (pictured at right) opened to the public.  A Special Category grant in the amount of $247,852 provided much of the funding for this significant project.

Designed in the Second Spanish Period to complement the historic house, the new handicapped-accessible facility is home to the rare ca. 1650 Caravaca Cross discovered on the property in July 2002 during an archaeological investigation.
 

A museum store offers merchandise which supports the mission of the museum. In addition, hand finished reproductions of the Caravaca Cross in silver and gold are available there.

The upper floor of the building houses staff offices and a research and work room for museum projects. Sensitive collection materials are now conserved in climate controlled space.
 

Two months after construction of the Visitors Center, the Colonial Wash Day Exhibit space was completed. A Wash House was identified in early 20th century photographs and documented through archaeological investigations 20 years ago. A long-term goal had been the reconstruction of this unique building. The Wash House was replicated to its original dimensions in its original location behind the Kitchen building. 

The entire structure was built of rough sawn cypress with the exception of the foundation beams

This three-dimensional exhibit represents wash day practices which were an important component of a domestic site.  Numerous artifacts recovered during archaeological investigations attest to the type of guests and variety of activities which took place there. The exhibit features a rare 19th century hand crank washing machine.