Florida Department of State

Florida Department of State The Florida Department of State manages our state's elections, corporations, and historical and cultural resources.

Originally established in 1827 as the Leon Academy, Leon High School is the oldest public high school in Florida. This i...
09/15/2026

Originally established in 1827 as the Leon Academy, Leon High School is the oldest public high school in Florida. This institution has had many different names throughout its history. The current building was designed in 1936 and dedicated in May 1937. Today, Leon County Schools Leon High School serves nearly 2000 students in grades 9-12. Read this Florida Division of Historical Resources historical marker, https://markers.flheritage.com/home/details/666, to learn more about this storied house of learning.

Pensacola Junior College opened its doors in 1948. As the first public Junior College created by the Florida Legislatu...
09/13/2026

Pensacola Junior College opened its doors in 1948. As the first public Junior College created by the Florida Legislature, the initial class had 136 students. Today, Pensacola State College, whose name changed in 2010, serves nearly 10,000 students seeking an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree. Learn more by reading the Florida Division of Historical Resources historical marker here, http://markers.flheritage.com/home/details/736

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is a historic place to see Florida’s state reptile, the American Alligator.The site’s o...
09/12/2026

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is a historic place to see Florida’s state reptile, the American Alligator.

The site’s origins date back to the 1890’s, when St. Augustine began to emerge as a tourist destination, which led to its listing on the National Park Service National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

Today, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm is one of North Florida’s most renowned attractions, bringing visitors and researchers from across the country to observe Florida’s state reptile.

Learn more about the history of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm here: https://markers.flheritage.com/home/details/306
Photo: State Archives of Florida. Florida Memory. (BRE040)

Twenty-five years later, we remember the lives lost on 9/11. Today, we honor the courage of the first responders and eme...
09/11/2026

Twenty-five years later, we remember the lives lost on 9/11.

Today, we honor the courage of the first responders and emergency personnel, including those from Florida, who immediately deployed to Ground Zero risking their own lives to help when America needed them most.

Photo: Members of the Florida, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Urban Search and Rescue Task Force prepare to enter Ground Zero, FEMA News Photo (FEMA Photo by Michael Rieger/Released)

Arnold Palmer was born in 1929. ‘The King’ had a long history with The Sunshine State, including an annual namesake in...
09/10/2026

Arnold Palmer was born in 1929. ‘The King’ had a long history with The Sunshine State, including an annual namesake invitational tournament in Orlando.

Palmer also won numerous events in Florida, including the West Palm Beach Open Invitational at The Park Golf Course, which is a part of Florida Historic Golf Trail. Explore The Park, as well as the over 50 other partner courses, at https://floridahistoricgolftrail.com/.

Secretary of State Cord Byrd Announces the Designation of the East Stuart and Downtown Stuart Historic district “I am pl...
09/09/2026

Secretary of State Cord Byrd Announces the Designation of the East Stuart and Downtown Stuart Historic district

“I am pleased to announce that the East Stuart and Downtown Stuart historic districts have been listed in the National Register of Historic Places,” said Secretary of State Byrd. “Both of these districts bring much needed recognition to the history of Stuart and mark the culmination of a successful multi-year preservation project in the community.”

Learn more about StuartLife - The City of Stuart, Florida here: https://dos.fl.gov/communications/press-releases/2026/secretary-byrd-announces-the-designation-of-the-east-stuart-and-downtown-stuart-historic-district/

The St. Marks Lighthouse is one of Florida’s oldest lighthouses. Completed in 1831, the lighthouse has withstood erosion...
09/08/2026

The St. Marks Lighthouse is one of Florida’s oldest lighthouses. Completed in 1831, the lighthouse has withstood erosion, relocation, the Seminole Wars, hurricanes, and the Civil War. Today, the St. Marks Lighthouse is a part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors to the property can see alligators, bald eagles and many migratory birds. The area is also known as a stop along the migratory path for thousands of monarch butterflies.

Learn more about this historic lighthouse by reading this Historical Marker: https://markers.flheritage.com/home/details/345

Photo: Parks, Richard. Aerial view of the St. Marks Lighthouse. 1967. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory

Happy Labor Day!Today we celebrate those Americans who with grit and dedication go to work every day and by their effort...
09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!
Today we celebrate those Americans who with grit and dedication go to work every day and by their effort build American prosperity!

The first Publix Grocery Store was opened in Winter Haven in 1930. Founder George Jenkins would expand over the follow...
09/06/2026

The first Publix Grocery Store was opened in Winter Haven in 1930.

Founder George Jenkins would expand over the following years, implementing novel technologies throughout the chain. Some of these additions included ‘electric eye’ automatic doors, and employee ownership of the company.

Today, Publix has over 1,000 locations across the southern US. To learn about the place 'Where Shopping is a Pleasure', visit the Museum of Florida History website here: https://museumoffloridahistory.com/explore/collections/19th-20th-century-artifacts/popular-culture-and-sports/publix-shopping-cart-pin/

Photo: Florida Memory (K024916)

Today is National Tailgating Day. Celebrated on the first Saturday of September, today recognizes one of the most integr...
09/05/2026

Today is National Tailgating Day.

Celebrated on the first Saturday of September, today recognizes one of the most integral parts of any gameday experience. Florida has a long and storied football history, including 11 College Football National Championships and 4 Super Bowl victories.

Here’s to the fans, and the tailgates, that help fuel Florida’s teams to victory.

Photo: State Senator Dewey Macon Johnson, left, tailgating with fans at the Florida State Seminoles Football game against Florida Gators Football in Tallahassee. 1964. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/270405

Address

500 South Bronough Street
Tallahassee, FL
32399

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 2pm - 5pm
Sunday 2pm - 5pm

Telephone

+18502456500

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