Division of Historical Resources Celebrates 50th Anniversary of National Historic Preservation Act

Tallahassee –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner today announced that the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources and its partners will host special events throughout the month of October in celebration of Preservation50. Preservation50 is a nationwide initiative celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the signing of the National Historic Preservation Act by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 15, 1966.

“The National Historic Preservation Act laid the groundwork for programs and procedural protections that are fundamental to our historic preservation efforts in Florida - and throughout the nation today,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “Florida’s theme for the Preservation50 initiative, ‘There’s a Story Here,’ speaks to the stories that historic places can teach us about our collective past and our state’s history.” 

Many of the programs administered today by the Florida Division of Historical Resources within the Florida Department of State are a result of the National Historic Preservation Act. The National Register of Historic Places, Certified Local Governments program and the Section 106 Compliance Review Process receive funding support from the Historic Preservation Fund created by the Act. The Act also established state and tribal historic preservation programs, and State Historic Preservation Officers who are appointed to preserve the nation’s cultural and historic resources.

In recognition and celebration of this important anniversary, the department plans to feature events and programs throughout the remainder of 2016 and 2017, with a special lineup of events this October. A partial list of upcoming events follows. Visit the Division of Historical Resources’ Preservation50 webpage and on Facebook @FloridaDivisionofHistoricalResources for the most comprehensive current information about upcoming events statewide. Use #Preservation50 and learn about preservation initiatives nationwide!

 

Upcoming Preservation 50 Events

 

Division Sponsored Programs

Florida Main Street – (Statewide) In October, our 47 Florida Main Street Program communities will present special events, successful rehabilitation projects, and heritage tourism opportunities throughout the state. Residents and visitors are encouraged to participate and enjoy the variety of events and spread the word on social media using #Preservation50, where they can share their experiences and discuss how historic preservation impacted their community. For an events calendar and list of Florida Main Street communities, visit FloridaMainStreet.com or Facebook.com/FloridaMainStreet.

Saturday, October 8 - Downtown Tallahassee - Multiple Free Events:

Downtown Marketplace – From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Tallahassee’s Park Avenue Historic District, at Park Avenue and Monroe Street, Division of Historical Resources staff will be on hand to share information about historic preservation efforts throughout the state and encourage visitors to participate in the day’s Preservation50 activities.

Downtown & Old City Cemetery Walking Tours – Two walking tours led by local historian Beth LaCivita of Tours of Tallahassee. The free guided tours leave the Downtown Marketplace tent at 10am and 1pm, with a maximum of 20 people per tour and lasting approximately 90 minutes. Reservations are encouraged to reserve your spot! [email protected]

 

At the R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, downtown Tallahassee:

State Conservation Lab Tours – The Bureau of Archaeological Research Conservation Laboratory offers behind-the-scenes tours of the State’s Conservation Lab. See the techniques and processes used to preserve state artifacts for display and research in this unique facility! Tours are limited to 8 participants each, last approximately 20 minutes, and start at 12:30 and 2:30  p.m. (These tours will also offered on October 11 and 13 at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m.) Advanced registration is recommended. As this is a working lab with objects and chemicals on open tables, children under ten will not be permitted to attend. To RSVP, email [email protected].

Museum of Florida History Tours – Special guided tours of the family-friendly state history museum will be offered at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. (These tours are also offered on October 11 and 13 at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.). Admission to the Museum is free, but donations are welcome.

State Archives of Florida Tours – The State Archives of Florida will offer tours to showcase the resources available from the State Archives. This is a great opportunity to get an inside look at how the State Archives work and to see some of the unique historical records that tell Florida’s story. Tours begin at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. These tours will also be offered on October 11 and 13 at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30. p.m.)

Sunday, October 16 – Fifty Years of Partnership – 2 to 5 p.m. Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park – This program will highlight the partnerships between the department and the park service throughout the years. Program and presentations in the historic lodge, on the history of the springs, the park, recent archaeology finds and park-related resources available on Florida Memory. Admission to the park is free from 2 to 5 p.m. and free boat rides will be offered from 4 to 5 p.m. Archaeological artifacts and archival displays from the park, the state archaeological collection, and the Museum of Florida History will be exhibited on site.

Thursday, October 20 – The Vineyard Era at Mission San Luis – 6 to 7:30 p.m.  Author and literary journalist Julie Strauss Bettinger discusses the 19th century history of the Mission San Luis site, focusing on Emile DuBois’s San Luis Vineyards. DuBois owned the San Luis property during the last quarter of the 19th century and established a flourishing wine and spirit industry on the site. Visit the Mission San Luis Events page for more information.

Saturday, October 22 – Annual Archaeology Day at San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Forts, Flags, artiFacts! A Celebration of Archaeology and Heritage!  Presentations by historians and archaeologists, family friendly and children’s activities, a Living History timeline using local reenactors, and a civil war artillery demonstration (cannon!). The park is located at 148 Old Fort Road in St. Marks, Florida.

Partner Sponsored October Events

Thursday, October 6 – Save the Historic Capitol Reflections (Tallahassee) – 5:30 p.m. Tear it down or save it? That was the hot-button question as Florida’s government moved out of the old state Capitol. The Florida Historic Capitol Museum presents a moderated panel discussion at 5:30 p.m. featuring central participants in the passionate 1970s debate over the future of the Historic Capitol. Former Florida elected leaders and key organizers will share stories about their involvement in the Capitol debate. Citizens who participated in or were impacted by the movement to save the Capitol can record their memories in a special “Reflections Studio.” For more information, visit facebook.com/FloridaHistoricCapitolMuseum or flhistoriccapitol.gov .

 

Saturday, October 8 – Cemetery Resource Protection Training (CRPT) by Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN) starts at 10 a.m. Classroom training portion at the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library 10 a.m.-Noon, From 1:30-4 p.m., Hands-on activity in the Old City Cemetery (must attend the classroom training portion to participate in the hands-on portion). CRPT focuses on cemetery care and protection. Participants explore cemeteries as historical resources, laws that protect them, conserving headstones and markers, managing cemetery landscapes, and practice hands-on headstone cleaning. $15 per person registration and participation is limited to 20 people. Contact [email protected] to register in advance. For information on CRPT, visit fpan.us/workshops/CRPT.php.

Florida Association of Museums (Statewide) – Throughout the month of October, participating museums around the state will offer discounts on admission or store purchases., Visit flamuseums.org/public/calendar/florida-preservation50/ for a complete list of participating museums.

 

 

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About The Division of Historical Resources

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources (DHR) is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. The Division Director’s office oversees a grants-in-aid program to help preserve and maintain Florida’s historic buildings and archaeological sites; coordinates outreach programs such as the State Historic Markers program and the Florida Folklife program which identifies and promotes the state's traditional culture. DHR directs historic preservation efforts throughout the state in cooperation with state and federal agencies, local governments, private organizations, and individuals. The Division director serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, acting as the liaison with the national historic preservation program conducted by the National Park Service. The Division is comprised of two Bureaus, archaeological research and historic preservation. For more information visit flheritage.com.

About Preservation50 

Preservation50 is a national initiative celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the National Historic Preservation Act in 1966. The Act laid the groundwork for programs and procedural protections that are fundamental to preservation efforts. These include the National Register of Historic Places, Certified Local Governments, Section 106 Review Process, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the Historic Preservation Fund. The Act also established state and tribal historic preservation programs, with Historic Preservation Officers who serve in each state to preserve our nation’s cultural and historic resources. In Florida, the Division of Historical Resources within the Florida Department of State is responsible for conducting these historic preservation programs, and has joined this national effort recognizing and celebrating the impact of the National Historic Preservation Act.