Secretary of State Ken Detzner Kicks Off Year-Long Celebration of the Museum of Florida History’s 40th Anniversary

Secretary of State Ken Detzner kicked off the year-long celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Museum of Florida History last night during a special reception with more than 200 museum guests and supporters. Throughout the year, the Museum will feature an exciting lineup of educational programs, exhibits and special events to celebrate the 40th anniversary, all culminating in the grand opening of the Museum’s Living the Dream: Twentieth-Century Florida exhibit on October 28.

The Museum of Florida History is one of Florida’s most prominent cultural treasures and the only statewide institution encompassing a comprehensive overview of Florida history.

“I am thrilled to celebrate this milestone anniversary of the Museum of Florida History, which has upheld its important mission to preserve and showcase Florida’s rich and diverse past,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “The Museum highlights more than 12,000 years of Florida history through interactive and engaging displays and it has welcomed generations of Floridians through its doors. I look forward to their continued success over the next forty years and beyond.”

Established in statute by the Florida Legislature in 1967 and opened to the public on May 20, 1977, the Museum’s mission is to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret human culture in Florida and to promote and encourage knowledge and appreciation of Florida history throughout the state. The Museum welcomes approximately 60,000 visitors annually, holds more than 45,000 historical objects in its collections and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

The Museum hosted more than 200 guests and supporters at a special reception on May 18 to kick-off the year-long celebration of the 40th anniversary. Guests toured the temporary exhibit Beaches, Creatures, and Cowboys: Florida Movie Posters, viewed a slideshow and photos of past exhibits, participated in a history hunt through the Museum gallery and enjoyed live music, hors d’oeuvres and a special anniversary cake. The Beaches, Creatures, and Cowboys: Florida Movie Posters exhibit continues through July 23, 2017.

The Museum has several exciting educational programs planned for the summer, which include the Summer Reading Program and Second Saturday Family Program. The theme of this year’s Summer Reading Program is Building a Better Florida. A children’s book and activities on architecture, historic preservation and communities will be featured every Wednesday morning from June 28 to July 26. The Second Saturday Family Programs continue through the summer with hands-on activities on film-making, quilts and other historical topics.

The Sunday Matinee at the Museum series begins in July and offers a taste of film in Florida. The Florida-related films to be shown include Beneath the 12-Mile Reef on July 9, Dolphin Tale on July 16, and The Yearling on July 23. Films begin at 2:00 p.m. and family friendly hands-on activities will be available at 1:30 p.m.

The History at High Noon series, which takes place the fourth Tuesday of the month, begins on June 27 from noon to 1:00 p.m. with Stories from Behind the Scenes, featuring former Museum exhibit designers and fabricators who will talk about creating both permanent and temporary exhibits.

On October 28, the Museum will host a grand opening party for the Living the Dream: Twentieth-Century Florida exhibit, which will feature activities for adults and kids, live entertainment and much more.

All events are free and open to the public. Please see the Museum’s website museumoffloridahistory.com for more information.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF FLORIDA HISTORY

The Museum of Florida History is part of the Florida Department of State is located in the R. A. Gray Building at 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday and holidays, noon to 4:30 p.m.  Free parking is available in the garage next to the R. A. Gray Building.