Archaeology Month 2026
Secretary of State Cord Byrd invites the public to celebrate Florida Archaeology Month, which takes place each March. As Florida joins the rest of the nation in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this year’s events highlight how the Department of State helps steward the cultural and historical resources that educate residents and visitors about the state’s unique role in American history.
“The Department of State’s Bureau of Archaeological Research has long played a stewardship role in helping to preserve, protect, and promote Florida's cultural and historical resources,” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. “In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this year's events and programs explore Florida’s pivotal role in our nation’s history.”
The Department of State will be celebrating Florida Archaeology Month 2026 with a series of events throughout the month of March. See a list of events below.
Listing of Florida Archaeology Month 2026 Events:
Signature Events:
Saturday, March 7, 2026
On Saturday, March 7, The Grove Museum will host its 9th annual Grove Day, celebrating the museum’s opening anniversary, America’s 250th birthday, and Florida Archaeology Month. The day includes special programs and activities for the entire family. Highlights include archaeology demonstrations and information, musical performances, outdoor games and activities, and guided tours of the museum. Vendors will be on-site with food and beverages available for purchase. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket and enjoy the grounds in bloom. Grove Day is free, open to the public, and runs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Grove Museum is located at 902 North Monroe Street, in Tallahassee, Florida.
Saturday, March 21, 2026
On March 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Mission San Luis will be hosting its annual Free Day in celebration of Florida Archaeology Month. Activities offered throughout the day include family-friendly crafts, living history demonstrations, and a display by the Bureau of Archaeological Research. Guests are also encouraged to tour the property, interact with interpreters to learn more about Mission San Luis, and visit the gallery in the Mission San Luis Visitor Center to view exhibits related to the site. Vendors will be on-site with food and beverages available for purchase. The temporary entrance to Mission San Luis is located at 2020 Mission Road, in Tallahassee, Florida.
Other Events:
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
On March 3, meet Curators & Conservators from the Bureau of Archaeological Research between 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the 22nd floor of the Capitol to learn about the methods used to curate the artifacts on display in the special exhibit, The Fourteenth Colony: Florida Celebrates America250FL. The Florida State Capitol is located at 400 S. Monroe Street, in Tallahassee, Florida.
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
On March 5, Jerry Lee, Senior Archaeologist with the Bureau of Archaeological Research, will lead a guided tour at Mission San Luis. The tour will highlight decades of research, findings, and ongoing archaeological work at the site. The tour begins at 11:00 a.m. and is included with the normal fee for site admission. The temporary entrance to Mission San Luis is located at 2020 Mission Road, in Tallahassee, Florida.
Thursday, March 5, 2026
On March 5, Sam Wilford, Director of the Museum of Florida History, will lead a curation-focused tour at 12:15 p.m. of the special exhibit, The Fourteenth Colony: Florida Celebrates America250FL, on the 22nd floor of the Capitol. The Florida State Capitol is located at 400 S. Monroe Street, in Tallahassee, Florida.
Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14, 2026
On March 13 and 14, visit the Union Bank Museum between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for special archaeology-themed tours and activities. The Union Bank Museum is located at 219 Apalachee Parkway, in Tallahassee, Florida.
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
On March 18, between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Mission San Luis presents Archaeology at Mission San Luis, as part of the Homeschool Days series of family programs. The historic site will be filled with fun, archaeology-related educational activities to help young students learn about the tools and techniques that archaeologists use to study past cultures. All activities during Homeschool Days at Mission San Luis are included with the normal fee for site admission. The temporary entrance to Mission San Luis is located at 2020 Mission Road, in Tallahassee, Florida.
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
On Tuesday, March 24, join Public Lands Archaeologist Brandon Ackermann for History at High Noon at The Grove Museum. He will discuss the history of public lands conservation and stewardship in Florida. History at High Noon is free, open to the public, and runs from 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. The Grove Museum is located at 902 North Monroe Street, in Tallahassee, Florida.
Ongoing Exhibits:
March 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Visit the 22nd floor of the Capitol to view the special temporary exhibit The Fourteenth Colony: Florida Celebrates America250FL, which features original artifacts, copies of archival documents, and historic photographs from the collections of the Department of State, including the Bureau of Archaeological Research, the Museum of Florida History, and the State Library and Archives of Florida. To learn how you can join Florida’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, visit America250FL.com.The Florida State Capitol is located at 400 S. Monroe Street, in Tallahassee, Florida.
March 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Built in 1841, Union Bank is considered Florida’s oldest surviving bank building. Permanent museum exhibits chronicle the history of the building and its many uses over time. Featured are artifacts on loan from the Bureau of Archaeological Research that relate to Tallahassee’s colonial and territorial periods, including British transferware plates identified by pattern and unique maker’s marks. Exhibits are accessible during normal museum operating hours. Union Bank Museum is free, open to the public, and located at 219 Apalachee Parkway, in Tallahassee, Florida.
March 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Decades of archaeological research is on display in the Visitor Center Gallery at Mission San Luis. Highlights include artifacts and research that informed the site’s reconstructed buildings and its interpretation today as a living history museum. Exhibits are accessible during normal museum operating hours. The temporary entrance for Mission San Luis is located at 2020 Mission Road, in Tallahassee, Florida.
March 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Permanent exhibits at The Grove Museum feature artifacts on loan from the Bureau of Archaeological Research, including items discovered during excavations on the site. Exhibits are accessible during normal museum operating hours. The Grove Museum is free, open to the public, and located at 902 North Monroe Street, in Tallahassee, Florida.
March 1, 2026 – March 31, 2026
See artifacts curated and conserved by the Bureau of Archaeological Research on loan to museums and institutions across the State of Florida and beyond. Many of these objects have been treated using a variety of different scientific methods in BAR’s Conservation Laboratory to ensure their stability for public exhibit. Explore the interactive map of locations with BAR loaned artifacts on display in museum exhibits below.
