BRADLEE-MCINTYRE HOUSE

By Mike Miller May 3, 2025

OVERVIEW

The Bradlee-McIntyre House is a historic home in Longwood, Florida. Built in 1885, it showcases Queen Anne-style architecture. Originally located in Altamonte Springs, it was moved to Longwood in 1973.

Bradlee-McIntyre House in 2023

The house serves as a museum, offering a glimpse into Central Florida’s past. Managed by the Longwood Historic Society, it attracts history enthusiasts and curious visitors.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Nathaniel J. Bradlee, a Boston architect, designed and built the house as a winter retreat. Construction began in 1885 and finished in 1888. Bradlee died shortly after its completion.

His family used it until 1904, when S. Maxwell McIntyre bought it. The McIntyre family lived there until 1946. Facing demolition in the 1970s, the Longwood Historic Society saved it. They relocated it to Longwood’s Historic District, where it was restored.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, it’s the only surviving Victorian cottage in Orange and Seminole counties.

VISITING DETAILS

The house is at 130 West Warren Avenue, Longwood, Florida. Museum tours run on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons. Docent-led tours are available.

Group tours can be arranged by appointment. Check the Longwood Historic Society’s website for updates. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes for the three-story tour.

Nearby, explore the Longwood Historic District, including the Inside-Outside House and local shops. Parking is available, and the area is walkable.

INTERESTING FACTS

The house has 13 rooms and an octagonal tower.

It lacked a kitchen originally, as meals came from the nearby Altamonte Hotel.

The McIntyre family added indoor plumbing in the early 20th century.

Only Mrs. McIntyre’s bed remains as original furniture.

Rumors of hauntings persist, with some claiming creaks and open windows at night.

In 2021, a washstand from the Bradlee family was returned to the house.

The house inspired the design of Longwood’s Community Building.

Special events, like Halloween tours and craft festivals, draw crowds annually.