Museums collect objects for many reasons and only a small percentage of a collection can ever be on display to the public at any given time. As a result, the majority of objects are out of sight and unseen in climate controlled storage areas being preserved. This exhibition features the collections of two state museums located in Tallahassee, Florida – the Museum of Florida History and the Florida Historic Capitol Museum – and reveals some of their unseen objects. You are invited “behind the scenes” to see how museums collect, process, and take care of their collections for future generations.

Florida’s next inaugural ceremony will take place on the Florida Historic Capitol Museum’s “steps of history” on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January – January 3, 2023. In honor of this exciting time for our state, join us as we explore the significant moments of this important political tradition. Artifacts, photographs, and film footage from private and public collections will showcase the pomp and prestige of Florida’s historic inaugurations.

The Florida Historic Capitol Museum celebrates this campaign season with a new temporary exhibit, Vote for Me! Historic Campaigning in Florida.

Take a trip down memory lane with this review of Florida’s political campaigns of the past. Whether you are running for office and need some historic inspiration, or simply want to revisit how campaigns have (and have not) changed through the years, the exhibit shares a close-up look at the journey to public office for every candidate and voter.

More than 160 historic artifacts, photos, and video clips remind visitors that every vote matters, especially a Vote for Me!

Eighty years ago in December 1941, US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Congress declared war on the Empire of Japan, Italy, and Nazi Germany. This action followed the December 7 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii, which was a day, the president said, that will live in infamy.

When American revolutionaries waged a war for independence they took a leap of faith that sent ripple effects across generations. They embraced a radical idea of establishing a government that entrusted the power of the nation not in a monarchy, but in its citizens. That great leap sparked questions that continue to impact Americans: who has the right to vote, what are the freedoms and responsibilities of citizens, and whose voices will be heard? Voices and Votes: Democracy in America is a springboard for discussions about those very questions and how they are reflected in local stories.

The Moon, Stars, and Sunshine State commemorates the 50th anniversary of a transformative time in global history: the landing on the Moon. More than 530 million people worldwide witnessed these first moments towards a new universe where human tenacity and technology intersect. But as the astronauts launched and the world was watching them, they were looking back at Florida. Join us as we showcase our state’s important role in the past, present, and future of space exploration.

Florida’s next inaugural ceremony will take place on the Florida Historic Capitol Museum’s “steps of history” on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January – January 8, 2019. In honor of this exciting time for our state, join us as we explore the significant moments of this important political tradition. Artifacts, photographs, and film footage from private and public collections will showcase the pomp and prestige of Florida’s historic inaugurations.

Throughout 2018, the Museum commemorates 40 Years of a New Vision for Florida’s Capitol. Exhibitions and programs explore the architectural, artistic, and legislative decisions that led to a new vision for Florida’s capital city. Visitors will reflect on historic plans that literally changed Florida’s political landscape and then imagine the civic space of the future. Join us as we study how the built environment, democracy, and design interact and intersect to CREATE a home for government.

One hundred years separate the Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington. Yet, these two events are profoundly linked together in a larger story of liberty and the American experience. Both were the result of people demanding justice. Both grew out of decades of bold actions, resistance, organization, and vision. In both we take inspiration from those who marched toward freedom.

The Florida Historic Capitol Museum presents Clothes Lines: Florida Political T-Shirts, an exhibit featuring political clothing that showcases the art of wearing your opinion on your sleeve. Photographs and T-shirts on display explore important political statements made by Floridians over the past several decades.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the United States entry into World War I, the Florida Historic Capitol Museum is pleased to host Over Here and Over There: The United States, Florida, and World War I. The exhibit will feature two photographic exhibits from the National Archives Traveling Exhibit Service, as well as numerous images and artifacts related to Florida’s participation in WWI.

Celebrating 225 years since the adoption of Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, the Florida Historic Capitol Museum hosted the pop-up exhibit The Bill of Rights and You.

Irreplaceable Heritage celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and offers visitors a unique opportunity to examine the impact of the NHPA in Florida and explore the history of some of the state’s remarkable historic sites—places as diverse as a Civil War shipwreck in the St. John’s River to Miami Beach’s Art Deco District. The exhibit also highlights the grassroots efforts of thousands of Floridians who saved the Historic Capitol when it was threatened with destruction in the 1970s.

Established by the Florida Legislature in 1935, the Florida Park Service has played an instrumental role in preserving our state’s natural environment and its cultural resources, while providing unique recreational activities for citizens and visitors. From archaeological sites to forts to beaches to springs, the park system encompasses the wide variety of environments which make Florida special. The Florida Park Service, by protecting, interpreting, and making available “the best that nature has to offer,” has been a vital component of the State’s number one industry—tourism. Through historical images, unique artifacts, film footage, and other interpretive materials, the exhibit will show how legislation, citizen input, and environmental awareness have shaped the agency and how it developed into one of the finest state park systems in the nation. Learn more »

Thirty years ago, Florida citizens got a rare opportunity to answer the question, “What should Florida’s new license plate look like?” After Governor Bob Graham and Cabinet members rejected a proposed license plate designed by a State-employed artist, they created a contest inviting citizens to design Florida’s next license plate. In all, more than 3,500 designs were received. Learn more »

Public Health touches all aspects of a person’s life—starting with a birth certificate and ending with a death certificate. 125 Years of Florida Public Health tells the fascinating story of the evolution of Florida’s state public health agency and its impact on the daily lives of Floridians. In 1889, the Florida Legislature created this statewide governing body to protect the public from epidemics, to educate residents about important health matters, and to improve the quality of life for all Floridians. Learn more »

The Museum hosted an exhibit that challenged visitors to be active members of their communities while reminding us that no action to improve society is too small. Visitors and students learned of both personal and national stories of active participation that have shaped our contemporary society. Choosing To Participate featured 11 panels that explored the impact of upstanders vs. bystanders and highlighted individual stories of upstanders in communities across the United States. Learn more »

The Florida Historic Capitol Museum hosted an exclusive new exhibition in 2013 as part of the statewide Viva Florida 500 commemoration of Ponce de Leon’s landing in Florida and the following five hundred years of historical transitions. Navigating New Worlds: Identity, Perception, and Politics in Florida highlighted rare and important maps and prints from the Michael W. and Dr. Linda M. Fisher collection. Learn more »

The Florida Historic Capitol Museum is pleased to host Anne Mergen: Florida Cartoons. This temporary traveling exhibit produced by HistoryMiami, featured the work of editorial cartoonist Anne Mergen. Since 1754, and the publishing of Benjamin Franklin–s "Join or Die" cartoon, editorial cartoons have played an integral role in our understanding of American political landscapes. Editorial cartoons have the unique ability to bring both understanding and context to a political argument and serve as highly effective tools of persuasion. This exhibit explored the impact of Anne Mergen’s work on Florida politics. Learn more »

Explore Andrew Jackson’s impact on Florida’s acquisition from Spain and early governmental development. Discover how Jackson used his influence as Florida’s first governor and later President of the United States to establish the founding principles of Florida’s state government, and why Jackson’s association with Florida contributed to his controversial legacy. Encounter the reasons why Floridians have considered “Old Hickory” a hero and a villain.

The exhibition displays artifacts from Jackson’s military invasions during the War of 1812 and First Seminole War in addition to items belonging to key figures in Florida’s territorial development who were closely associated with Andrew Jackson. Learn more »

The Girl Scout Council of the Florida Panhandle (GSCFP) and the Florida Historic Capitol Museum announce the opening of Girl Scouting in the Sunshine State: Celebrating 100 Years on January 12, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. The exhibit, which runs through August 5, 2012, celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouts in Florida and demonstrates the important relationship between Girl Scouts and Florida’s state and local governments.

The exhibit features historic Girl Scout uniforms, handbooks, badges, photographs, newspaper articles, and camping gear from all across the state of Florida representing the seven regional Girl Scout Councils. The exhibit was co-produced by a team of Girl Scouts with 15 members along with a committee of adult Girl Scout volunteers and leaders. Learn more »

What did you bring me? Did you bring me a souvenir from Florida?

Florida vacations and souvenirs go together just like Florida Sunshine and sandy, white beaches. Tourists have bought untold numbers of Florida souvenirs throughout the years, reflecting the history and culture that is Florida tourism. In partnership with Visit Florida, the Florida Historic Capitol Museum is showcasing the wide variety of keepsakes that capture our remembrances of the great Florida attractions of yesterday and today, and represent Florida's theme parks and roadside attractions.

The Museum hosted Buttons ’n Badges, Ads ’n Chads from October 12, 2010 to April 3, 2011. The exhibit included nearly two hundred years of Florida Campaign History through this display of political memorabilia on loan from Tallahassee collector John Clark. Learn more »

Learn the dramatic story of Governor Broward's life through a series of display panels, photographs, documents and memorabilia. Highlights include a scale model and the original ship's wheel from Broward's tugboat, The Three Friends. Also included are Broward's personal pistol and brass knuckles, and a 1905 inauguration ribbon.

This exhibit was made possible through the generosity of Senate President Jeff Atwater and his cousin, Doug Broward, both great-grandsons of Governor Broward. Their artifacts have never before been publicly displayed. Learn more »

Visit an engaging exhibit about the development of roads in Florida and the efforts of Florida's Department of Transportation. Highlights include an official 1923 state map, the first report of the State Road department from 1916, a DOT surveyor’s transit, and historic photographs.

Visit an engaging exhibit about the development of roads in Florida and the efforts of Florida's Department of Transportation. Highlights include an official 1923 state map, the first report of the State Road department from 1916, a DOT surveyor’s transit, and historic photographs.

This exhibit featured artifacts, photos and documents illustrating the history of the Department of Corrections from its inception in 1821 through today. Highlights included a display about Cool Hand Luke written by Florida inmate Donald M. Pearce, a 1930s striped prison shirt, and homemade weapons confiscated from prisoners. This exhibit was developed by the Florida Department of Corrections.

Few visitors to Tallahassee see the Florida Governor's Mansion immediately. It is not located among the white office buildings clustered around the tower of the Capitol on its hilltop. Those who seek it find pleasant gardens surprisingly close to the bustle of state business, but a world away in feeling. They find a welcoming house, under the shade of live oaks, on a site chosen by legislators when the twentieth century was young. There are many larger houses, older houses, more opulent houses in Florida, but for Floridians, the Governor's Mansion represents the state in a way no other house can.

Artifacts, photos and documents told about the history and importance of state surveying in Florida. This exhibit was sponsored by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Division of State Lands.

On loan from the Florida Supreme Court Library, this exhibit depicted some interesting and significant aspects of the Court and our State’s judicial branch throughout Florida’s early history. Presented were artifacts, images and documents that trace the development of Florida’s judicial organization and how the implementation of justice has shaped Florida’s history. The exhibit also addressee the important role of the Courts in expanding, defining and protecting individual rights, and the continuing importance of the separation and balance of power within our government.