The Tebeau-Field Library of Florida History (435Brevard Ave.; 321-690-1971), in the old Federal Building in historic Cocoa Village, is headquarters of the Florida Historical Society. There are changing exhibits on Florida history and a research library with books, maps, photographs and original documents.

East of Cocoa in Merritt Island, the Brevard Veterans Memorial Museum (400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy.; 321-453-1776) is located in the Veterans Memorial Center and features artifacts from all wars fought by the United States.

Head south on A1A, Florida's original tourist route down the east coast and still a good way to relax and get a feel for earlier days. In Melbourne, named for the Australian city, the historic neighborhoods along the Indian River preserve the old Florida feel. The Liberty Bell Memorial Museum (1601 Oak St.; 321-727-1776) has artifacts and facsimiles of famous documents from American history. There's a full-size replica of the Liberty Bell.

A little south of Melbourne on U.S. 1 is the village of Grant. The Grant Historical Society 1916 House (5795 U.S. 1; 321-723-8543) is an early prefab house on the west bank of the Indian River. It is now a house museum dedicated to the early fishing families who settled this area. In February, the town hosts the Grant Seafood Festival (321-723-8687).

Sebastian is the place to see some Spanish treasure. In 1715 a hurricane sank a fleet of Spanish treasure ships sailing from Havana to Spain. The survivors reached shore in Sebastian. The McLarty Museum in the Sebastian Inlet State Park (9700 S. A1A; 561-589-2147) is on the site of their encampment. The museum contains real Spanish treasure and tells the story of the salvage. The state park also contains the Sebastian Inlet Fishing Museum (772-388-2750). And don't miss Mel Fisher's Treasure Museum in Sebastian (1322 U.S. 1; 772-589-9875) where there's more treasure, including some from the 1715 wreck.

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