TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Tall Timbers Foundation has launched a fundraiser after the historic Beadel House was completely burned down to the ground earlier this week.
The foundation said the outpour of support and shared memories has been comforting and many people have asked how they can help.
“While this is a loss of some of our historic items and the Beadel family house, we will press forward and continue to further our mission of conservation and ecological health, through the use of prescribed fire.”
The fundraiser comes after the historic home on the property of Tall Timbers Research Station went up in flames Monday morning.
“It was shocking to see the whole thing go down,” Tall Timbers President Palmer told WCTV as he watched the flames fully engulf the home. “You couldn’t take your eyes off it.”
“There was a lot of history in that [house] going all the way back to the previous century.”
The cause of the fire appeared to have been started by a lightning strike, according to the Tallahassee Fire Department.
A call regarding the fire came in around 7 a.m., TFD spokesman Todd Inserra said. When crews arrived at the scene, Inserra said the fire was on the second floor of the home and spread into the attic. The second floor also collapsed as the fire continued to spread.
One firefighter was hurt and taken to the hospital for evaluation.
Though the fire destroyed the home, Palmer said, “the artifacts inside were mostly saved.” Some of those artifacts include drawings, books, paintings, shotguns and other sporting goods equipment, per Palmer.
The Beadel House is over 100 years old and overlooks Lake Iamonia off Highway 12 in Leon County.
To learn more about the fundraiser or to donate, click here.
To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Nextdoor and X (Twitter).
Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here. Please include the article’s headline in your message.
Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here to get started.
Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.