Secretary of State Announces Second Annual “March of Museums” Initiative

Florida Department of State and museums statewide partner to share variety and versatility of museums

TALLAHASSEE –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner and the Florida Department of State today announced the second annual “March of Museums” celebrating the variety and versatility of museums in Florida’s communities. In 2017, the department piloted March of Museums with partner museums in the Tallahassee. Building on this successful launch, the 2018 March of Museums has expanded statewide to include the vast and diverse array of museums that populate the Sunshine State.

“As Florida’s Chief Cultural Officer, I am proud of the success of last year’s ‘March of Museums’ here in our state’s capital city of Tallahassee,” said Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “March of Museums celebrates the important services museums provide to our communities.”

The department is hosting MarchofMuseums.com, which offers a listing of museums by region, including local Tallahassee museums and other statewide partner museums. The website also highlights the mission, collections, and/or events of each institution during the month of March.  The department encourages visitors and Floridians to take advantage of this initiative to visit one of the partner museums for a new experience, to spend some time at one of their favorite museums and to share their pictures on their favorite social media platform using #MarchOfMuseums. 

Jeana Brunson, Director of Museum Operations for the Florida Department of State said, “March of Museums is an exciting opportunity to experience museums in our community. This year, each of the department’s museums will offer special events, and we will feature the Spanish Colonial Adventure Day at Mission San Luis, Florida’s Apalachee-Spanish Living History Museum on Saturday, March 10, 2018. Exciting events will also be hosted by the Department’s Museum of Florida History, Knott House Museum and The Grove Museum, in addition to events being held throughout the month of March by our partners in Tallahassee.”

Museums in Tallahassee have again partnered with the Florida Department of State to encourage Floridians and visitors to Florida to experience the many ways that museums serve the community.  Continue Reading below for a full calendar of events in Tallahassee.

 

Calendar of Events

March of Museums

 

Thursday, March 1

 

Florida Historic Capitol Museum — Trivia Night: Superheroes Edition (7:00 – 9:00 p.m.)

Honoring the heroes and heroines of Florida who saved the Historic Capitol from destruction 40 years ago in March 1978, topics will recognize actual and fictional heroic characters in this fun trivia experience. Guests will enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and prizes will be awarded at the end of the night. Register your team by calling (850) 487-1902 or sign up through Eventbrite. Registration fee is $20 per team, maximum members per team is 4. Advance registration is required at https://superheroestrivia.eventbrite.com/. Don’t have a team or just want to watch the action? Individual entry is $5.

 

Friday, March 2

 

Goodwood Museum and Gardens — “Uncovering the Mysteries of Wakulla Springs Archaeology” (noon)

Presented by Dr. James Dunbar, Panhandle Archaeological Society of Tallahassee (PAST).  Bring a lunch or just come and listen. Free and open to the public.

 

Saturday, March 3

 

Goodwood Museum and Gardens — Invasives/Exotics ID and Removal Workshop, (9:30 a.m.) Gather at the Virginia McKee Greenhouse to learn from UF/IFAS Master Gardener Glenn Mayne as he conducts a hands-on workshop on identifying and removing invasive/exotic plants from Goodwood’s wooded landscape.  Bring gloves, hand pruners, and a shovel and wear close-toed shoes. Free and open to the public.

 

Tallahassee Museum — World Wildlife Day 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Come out and help the Tallahassee Museum celebrate World Wildlife Day. The Museum is dedicated to conservation, and the preservation of biodiversity.  As a key theme of our interpretation, conservation issues have played a role in much of the work done in the last 4 years. The UN World Wildlife Day (WWD) is the global celebration of the diverse forms of wildlife on our planet, raising awareness of the benefits conservation provides to wildlife and people.  The Museum will have educational stations set up throughout the Florida Wildlife Trail highlighting different animals. 

 

The Grove Museum — Director’s Tour-Women’s History (2:30 p.m.)

Join Executive Director John Grandage for an in-depth guided of the Call-Collins House focusing on women’s history. The tour is free and open to the public. Guests should wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to stand or walk, indoors and outdoors, for the majority of the program.

 

Friday, March 9

 

Knott House Museum — Outdoor screening of City Lights (1931) (6:30 – 9 p.m.)

City Lights is a silent comedy written, produced, and directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin. The story follows the misadventures of Tramp (Chaplin) as he falls in love with a blind girl (Virginia Cherrill) and develops a friendship with a troubled millionaire (Harry Myers). The American Film Institute ranks this classic among the best American films ever made. Florida historian and motion picture enthusiast Dr. Joe Knetsch will provide context prior to the movie. Tickets will be sold at the door—$4 for members and $5 for nonmembers. The ticket fee includes popcorn; beverages will be on sale. Join the Friends of the Museums of Florida History to receive member prices. The series is cosponsored by the Tallahassee Film Society. For more information: 850.922.2459

 

Saturday, March 10

 

Mission San Luis — Spanish Colonial Adventure Day (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

Visit Mission San Luis to be a part of the Florida Department of State’s 2018 featured event for the March of Museums’ initiative! 

Re-enact colonial Spanish Florida’s preparations for the 1686 exploratory expedition to Pensacola Bay! Get your "orders" on arrival and...

• Collect trade beads at the Council House.
• Grind corn and see cooking demos at the Spanish House.
• Create your own banner at the Church.
• Draw a map of Western Florida, and more at the Fort!

Come enjoy the fun! There will also be food trucks on site. Regular admission applies. ($5: Adults. $3 for 65+. $2 for ages 6–17. FREE: members, under 6, and active duty military with up to 4 dependents. Free parking.)

 

The Grove Museum — “Grove Day” (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

Grove Day 2018 celebrates the one-year anniversary of the opening of The Grove Museum on March 11, 2017!

In addition to regularly scheduled tours of the museum, the following special programs will be offered:

• 10:30 AM - Director's Tour

• 12:30 PM - Storytime
• 2:30 PM - Nature Walk

 Staff from the Florida Folklife Program and the Florida Memory Program will also be on-site all day conducting oral history interviews.

Do you have a favorite memory about The Grove that you would like to share? Contact museum staff at [email protected] to sign up for a time slot to share your story.

 

Museum of Florida History — Second Saturday: Women’s History Month (11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

In recognition of Women’s History Month, join us as we tour our newest exhibit Living the Dream—Twentieth-Century Florida. Learn about Florida’s impact during the Women’s Liberation Movement and put your creativity to the test, while you make a button celebrating your favorite woman in history. The program, admission, and parking are free

 

Wednesday, March 14

 

The Grove Museum — Storytime at The Grove

Bring your kids to enjoy a read-aloud children's story followed by an exciting activity at 10:00 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. This month’s story is Around American to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles, by Mara Rockliff.

 

Thursday, March 15

               

Museum of Florida History — Cypress Gardens: America’s Tropical Wonderland (5:30 – 7:30 p.m.)

To complement the Museum’s 40th anniversary exhibit Living the Dream—Twentieth-Century Florida, join us for Cypress Gardens America’s Tropical Wonderland. Lu Vickers’ talk on Cypress Gardens will feature a slide show of vintage photographs from the Garden’s archives that will take the audience on a journey through Cypress Garden’s history from the 1930s to 2009 when it was sold to Legoland. Vickers will discuss the creation of the world famous waterski show, the Gardens, and the iconic Southern Belles, and will explain how Dick Pope, Cypress Garden’s flamboyant owner, became known as the “Man who Invented Florida.” The program, admission, and parking are FREE. Lu Vickers is the author of several books on Florida history, including Weeki Wachee—City of Mermaids and Cypress Gardens: America’s Tropical Wonderland.

 

Friday, March 16

 

Museum of Florida History — Shipwreck Archaeology Presentation (5:30­ – 7:30 p.m.)

Join the Museum of Florida and the Florida Division of Historical Resources to hear Dr. James Delgado, renowned nautical archaeologist and policy expert, present on shipwreck archaeology. Reception of light refreshments begins at 5:30, and the presentation will begin at 6:00 p.m.

 

Monday, March 19

 

Meek-Eaton Black Archives and Research Center — Women’s History Month Tribute Movie Night: “Hidden Figures”

 

Tuesday, March 27

 

Museum of Florida History — History at High Noon (noon – 12:45 p.m.)

Dr. Ameenah Shakir, Assistant Professor of African American History at Florida A&M University (FAMU), celebrates Women's History Month with her presentation "Sybil Collins Mobley: Race, Rights, and the School of Business and Industry (SBI)." Enjoy lunch during the program. Bring your own or buy from The Egg Express located on the ground floor of the R. A. Gray Building. See the lunch menu at museumoffloridahistory.com/visit/menu-pg02.cfm. The program is free and open to the public.

 

Thursday, March 29

 

Florida Historic Capitol Museum — Celebration of the 40 Year Anniversary of the Save the Old Capitol Night (5:30 – 8 p.m.)

Relive the drama that unfolded on March 30, 1978, as then Secretary of State Bruce Smathers and loyal historic preservation advocates raised awareness of the amazing Historic Capitol building. The Save the Old Capitol night went down in history forty years ago. Now we invite you to join us for an historic night of music, orange juice, behind the scenes tours and an unforgettable way to show your support of Florida’s Grand ‘ol Lady on the Hill. Guests will enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres while experiencing the Capitol after hours. Please RSVP at https://savetheoldcapitol2018.eventbrite.com/.

 

 

Month Long:

 

Florida Historic Capitol Museum

Through May 1—Capitol Visions: 2058

Capitol Visions: 2058 showcases the artistic response to the question “What do you think Florida’s Capitol will look like in 2058?” Fifth grade art teachers from schools across the state responded to the call to young artists and selected the top three works from their students for display in the gallery.

 

Through June 3—Capitol Creations Investigate & Create

Capitol Creations Investigate & Create allows visitors an opportunity to investigate the architectural principles and designs that influenced the development of the Capitol Complex from 1845 through the present day, as well as the ideas behind grand public architecture. Expect a hands-on learning experience in the architecture lab, where visitors are encouraged to create their own Capitol Creation. Special pop-up demonstrations of architectural drafting and use of 3-D printing occur regularly and can be reserved in advance for groups.

 

Goodwood Museum and Gardens

Through April 1—Ascension Exhibit, Main House Museum Gallery.  This partnership exhibit with the Meek-Eaton Southeastern Regional Black Archives (FAMU) explores the early 20^th Century rise of the African American middle class.  Free and open to the public.

 

FSU Museum of Fine Art

Through April 1—Decolonizing Refinement: Contemporary Pursuits in the Art of Edouard Duval-Carrié
This exhibition is a collaboration with Miami artist Edouard Duval-Carrié, Haitian-born painter and sculptor. The project is under the direction of Dr. Paul B. Niell, Art History. Also from Art History, Dr. Michael D. Carrasco and doctoral candidate Lesley A. Wolff are coordinating aspects of the project.

Through April 1—Asian Works from the Permanent Collection

 

Museum of Florida History

Through July 29 — Living the Dream—Twentieth-Century Florida

The Museum of Florida History proudly presents this new exhibit in a year-long celebration of its 40th anniversary. Visitors can expect to explore the state's modern history through hundreds of artifacts, films, music, and immersive experiences, like walking through a recreated early 1960s fallout shelter. The exhibit also features a walk-in juke box with more than forty-five song selections from postwar Florida musicians.  In the twentieth century, Florida became the intersection of dreams and reality. The exhibit looks at this transformative century through the lenses of environment, economy, tourism, international conflict, civil rights, migrations, and popular culture. By examining the recent past, the exhibit is designed to prompt questions and discussions about Florida's future. Exciting programs are planned throughout the duration of the exhibit.

 

Tallahassee Museum

Through June 19—Mysteries Below the Ground: The Architecture of Ant Nests.

In the first comprehensive and complete exhibit of its kind, Mysteries Below the Ground explores the intricate workings of 25 underground ant nests. This exhibit will reveal the enormous range of size and complexity of ant nest structure and reflects the range of scales in which ants live their lives. The exhibit also dives into Dr. Walter Tschinkel’s method of metal casting and the ways in which metal casting reveals a complete, precise and detailed version of ant nest architecture. Dr. Tschinkel’s casts have been featured in 16 museums around the world, from Paris to Hong Kong, including two casts at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. 

 

Tallahassee Automobile Museum

The Tallahassee Automobile Museum is a community treasure that offers up history and engaging experiences.  The museum is packed with more than 160 exceptional automobiles dating from 1894 - 2010, motorcycles, Batmobiles, Steinway pianos, Case knives, brass cash registers, sports memorabilia, pedal cars, antique boats, motors and much, much more!  In addition to the museum, we are the largest locally owned banquet and conference center in the Tallahassee area. Visit tacm.com for more information.

 

 ###

 

Museums administered by the Florida Department of State:

 

About The Grove Museum

The Grove Museum features the c. 1840 Call-Collins House, set on ten wooded acres in the heart of Tallahassee, Florida. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, The Grove is one of the few historic sites of its kind in the nation to earn LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. From slavery to civil rights, and from private home to public museum, the story told at The Grove Museum speaks to critical moments that define the American experience. The mission of The Grove is to honor the legacy of the Call and Collins families by educating the public on the importance of public service, entrepreneurship and historic preservation. Visit TheGroveMuseum.com for information on tour times and special events. You can also follow The Grove on Twitter (@TheGroveMuseum) and like the museum on Facebook (Facebook.com/TheGroveMuseum).

 

About the Knott House Museum

The Knott House Museum is a historic home built in 1843 restored to its 1930s appearance and is located at 301 East Park Avenue, at the corner of Park Avenue and Calhoun Street in Tallahassee, Florida. The Museum is administered by the Museum of Florida History, a section of the Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs. The historic house is open for tours Wednesday through Friday 1:00, 2:00, & 3:00 p.m. and Saturday: 10:00, 11:00 a.m., Noon, 1:00, 2:00, & 3:00 p.m. Please call 850.922.2459 for more information, or visit KnottHouseMuseum.com.

 

About Mission San Luis

Mission San Luis, Florida’s Apalachee-Spanish Living History Museum, was the western capital of Spanish Florida from 1656 to 1704. The Mission, now a national historic landmark, brings the early 1700s to life with living history interpreters in period dress, reconstructed period buildings, exhibits, and archaeological research. The site is managed by the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, Bureau of Archaeological Research, and support is provided by the Friends of Mission San Luis, Inc. Mission San Luis is located at 2100 West Tennessee Street in Tallahassee, Florida, and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 850.245.6406 or visit missionsanluis.org.

 

About the Museum of Florida History

The Museum of Florida History is the state’s history museum that collects, preserves, exhibits, and interprets evidence of past and present cultures in Florida, and promotes knowledge and appreciation of this heritage. With exhibits and programs for all ages, the Museum has something for everyone to enjoy. Part of the Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs, the Museum of Florida History 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.  Parking and admission is free. For more information, visit museumoffloridahistory.com.