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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 and archaeological resources. The Division Director’s office oversees a Historic Preservation Grants program to help preserve and maintain Florida’s historic buildings and archaeological sites; coordinates outreach programs such as the State Historical Markers program and the Florida Main Street program. 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 of Historical Resources is comprised of three Bureaus or major program areas:

• Bureau of Historic Preservation
• Bureau of Historical Museums
• Bureau of Archaeological Research 

The Bureau of Historic Preservation (BHP) conducts historic preservation programs aimed at identifying, evaluating, preserving and interpreting the historic and cultural resources of the state. The Bureau manages the Florida Main Street Program, and under federal and state laws, oversees the National Register of Historic Places program for Florida, maintains an inventory of the state's historical resources in the Florida Master Site File, assists applicants in federal tax benefit and local government ad valorem tax relief programs for historic buildings, and reviews the impact that development projects may have on significant historic resources.

The Bureau of Historical Museums (BHM) is comprised of the Museum of Florida History, the state’s official history museum, The Grove Museum, Mission San Luis, and Knott House Museum, which is a site managed by the Museum of Florida History.  These museums interpret Florida history for the public in a variety of ways, such as through object-based exhibitions at the Museum of Florida History, engaging living history interactions at Mission San Luis, and guided tours of the historic Knott House and the historic Call-Collins House at The Grove Museum.  The museums offer a variety of educational programs for all ages and welcome school groups and other tour groups year round.

The Bureau of Archaeological Research (BAR) is responsible for the state's archaeology program. The bureau's archaeologists carry out archaeological surveys and excavations throughout the state, primarily on state-owned lands. They maintain records on historical resources that have been recorded, and assist consultants and planners in protecting sites. The state's Underwater Archaeology Program includes not only historic shipwreck sites but also pre-Columbian sites in underwater contexts. Some of these are among the oldest human sites in the New World. The Bureau's underwater archaeologists have worked with local divers to develop Underwater Archaeological Preserves around the state to protect and interpret shipwreck sites to the public. For more information visit dos.myflorida.com/historical/archaeology.