State Archives Celebrates National Archives Month with Photo Exhibition: “The Golden Age of Florida’s Miracle Strip”

Tallahassee –

The State Archives of Florida will celebrate National Archives Month by presenting an exhibition of photographs titled “The Golden Age of Florida’s Miracle Strip: Panama City Beach, 1930s-1970s” on Friday, October 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the R.A. Gray building. The slideshow presentation will feature over 150 historic images of Panama City Beach from both the Florida Photographic Collection and the private collection of tourism historian Tim Hollis. Melody May, a promotional model long associated with the Miracle Strip, will be present, and Hollis will speak about the history of the tourism industry in the Panama City area.

 “For many years, Panama City Beach has been one of Florida’s most iconic tourist destinations,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “This exhibition will highlight a very special period in its history, when the unique Miracle Strip amusement district was in its heyday. The Florida Photographic Collection is one of the richest resources available to the public through the State Archives of Florida and Florida Memory, and we are delighted to celebrate National Archives Month by sharing these historic images of Florida tourism.”

Aerial view overlooking the Miracle Strip Amusement Park in 1975.

The photos will be presented by large format projection in the lobby of the R.A. Gray Building at 500 S. Bronough Street in Tallahassee. Admission is free, and free parking is available in the adjacent garage. The event will also feature complementary refreshments with a Florida tourism theme.

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About the State Archives of Florida:

The State Archives of Florida is the central repository for the government records of the Sunshine State. It also holds a variety of private manuscripts, local government records, photographs, and other historically significant materials relating to Florida. The Archives is required by law to preserve these historic resources and make them available to the public. To learn more, visit info.florida.gov/ or contact the Archives’ reference staff at 850.245.6719. The State Archives of Florida is a component of the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services.