Ralph Middleton Munroe (1851-1933) settled in Florida in 1891, drawn by its lush tropical landscapes and beautiful seashores. An avid yachtsman and photographer, the Commodore traveled the South Florida coast capturing images of its pristine wilderness and the early inhabitants. Munroe’s photographs provide a unique visual record of South Florida history before its rapid urbanization. The Ralph M. Munroe Family Papers contain a rich assortment of photographs, albums, postcards, correspondence, clippings and manuscripts that document the frontier life in Coconut Grove.
The contents of the most recent donation in spring of 2025 (Boxes 73-76) can be found in the attached pdf document.
The collection includes correspondence, logbooks, photographs albums, slides, and diaries pertaining to various members of the Munroe Family who settled in Coconut Grove, Florida.