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Historic Preservation Month

Celebrate Historic Preservation Month!

Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced the Department of State’s celebration of Historic Preservation Month, which occurs every May. This year we celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence, and recognize the history preserved and shared by the state’s wide variety of cultural resources.

“The preservation of historic sites tells America’s story,” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. “Since the 1976 Bicentennial Celebrations, state and local communities have worked to identify, document, preserve and share important places in state and national history. Preservation is an important way to celebrate and promote our history during America’s 250th Birthday year.”

How to Participate

Download postcards of some of Florida's iconic landmarks

The Department of State celebrates National Historic Preservation Month 2026 with a series of events throughout the month of May. See a list of events below. 

Historic Preservation Month 2026 Events: 

Fridays, May 1, and May 15, 2026 

On May 1 and 15, John Grandage, Assistant Director for Historical Resources, will lead guided walking tours of The Grove Museum. The tours focus on innovative historic preservation approaches used in the award-winning Call-Collins House project. Tour consists of a guided walk both inside and outside the Call-Collins House, with stops along the way to examine architectural features. This program is free, open to the public, and starts at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on both days. The Grove Museum is located at 902 North Monroe Street, in Tallahassee, Florida. 

Thursday, May 7, 2026 

On May 7, Florida’s National Register of Historic Places Review Board is holding its quarterly public meeting. The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of sites and properties throughout the country that reflect the pre-contact occupation and historical development of our nation, states, and local communities. It includes districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that have been identified and documented as being significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. In Florida, there are more than 1,700 properties and districts listed on the National Register. Nominations for properties in Florida are submitted to the National Park Service through the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources, following review and recommendation by the Florida National Register Review Board. Properties to be considered at this meeting include the Fort White ACL Depot in Columbia County; the Tallahassee Junior Museum, as well as additional documentation for the Union Bank in Leon County; East Stuart Historic District and Stuart Downtown Historic District in Martin County; St. Mary’s Church in Putnam County; and additional documentation for the Model Land Company Historic District in St. Johns County. This meeting will take place in room 307 of the R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, in Tallahassee, Florida, starting at 1:30 p.m. Register to attend via webinar here. 

Friday, May 8, 2026 

The Florida Historical Commission was established to enhance public participation and involvement in the preservation and protection of the state's historic and archaeological sites and properties. The Commission advises and assists the Division of Historical Resources in carrying out the programs, duties and responsibilities of the Division. This meeting will take place in room 307 of the R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, in Tallahassee, Florida, starting at 9:00 a.m. Register to attend via webinar here. 

Saturday, May 9, 2026 

On May 9, Ruben Acosta, Chief of the Bureau of Historic Preservation, will lead a guided walking tour of downtown Tallahassee historic sites, focusing on their preservation stories and the role of the American Bicentennial in historic preservation. The tour starts at 10:30 a.m. and begins at the fountain in Ponce de Leon Park, across from the United States Courthouse Annex at 111 North Adams Street in the heart of the Downtown Market. Tallahassee’s Downtown Market is located on Park Avenue between Adams Street and Monroe Street in Tallahassee, Florida, and is held every Saturday from March to November. The guided tour and the Downtown Market are free and open to the public. 

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 

Dr. Kyra Lucas, Supervisor for the National Register Program, and Sam Schmidt, local historical expert at the Bureau of Historic Preservation, will lead a guided walking tour of the Tallahassee Museum, focusing on their preservation stories. They will explore the museums historic architecture, their collection of relocated resources from the American Bicentennial, and their significant role in furthering local preservation and conservation. The tour starts at 1:00 pm. and departs from the Visitors Center at 3945 Museum Road. The guided tour is free with paid museum admission. 

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 

The Grove Museum holds its popular Storytime at the Grove program every second Wednesday of the month. On May 13, join staff as they read City Shapes by by Diana Murray. Afterwards, participate in fun activities related to the book. The Program starts at 10 a.m., is free and open to the public, and is geared towards families with children ages 8 and under. 

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 

The annual 20th of May—Emancipation in Florida commemoration recognizes the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Tallahassee, Florida, on May 20, 1865, two years after it was first issued by President Abraham Lincoln. The commemoration is a joint effort between the Museum of Florida History and the John G. Riley Center & Museum. Commemorative events include a Civil War Grave Decorating Service—a tradition that started in the Reconstruction era—at Old City Cemetery, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard between Park Avenue and Call Street, starting at 10:00 a.m. Following the conclusion of the cemetery service, at 11:30 a.m., the public is invited to Lewis Park, in front of the Knott House Museum, located at 301 East Park Avenue, in Tallahassee, Florida, for remarks from dignitaries, historical reenactments, musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, and a free picnic lunch. The May 20 programs are free and open to the public. 

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 

The Grove Museum’s Emancipation Day tour focuses on the significance of Emancipation in the context of Tallahassee, Florida, and broader themes in American history and historic preservation, through the lens of The Grove Museum. The guided tour is free and open to the public at 2:00 p.m. 

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 

On May 20, Mission San Luis' Homeschool Days series of family programs continues with a day focused on Historic Preservation. From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the historic site will be filled with interactive, family-friendly architecture and historic preservation-related activities. All activities during Homeschool Days are included with the normal fee for site admission. Mission San Luis is located at 2021 West Tennessee Street, in Tallahassee, Florida. 

*IMPORTANT PARKING INFO: Mission San Luis' Tennessee Street entrance will be closed due to construction. The new entrance to the Mission San Luis parking main parking lot is 2021 Mission Road. Please access the parking lot via this west entrance.* 

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 

On May 26, Ken Smith, President of the Florida Lighthouse Association, will share key stories of preservation efforts throughout the State of Florida to restore and protect Florida’s 30 remaining historic lighthouses. This presentation will center around people that have stood up and championed the preservation of individual Florida lighthouses. This free program is part of the Museum of Florida History’s History at High Noon Lecture Series and will take place at Mission San Luis, located at 2021 Mission Road, in Tallahassee, Florida, starting at 12:00 p.m. 

*IMPORTANT PARKING INFO: Mission San Luis' Tennessee Street entrance will be closed due to construction. The new entrance to the Mission San Luis parking main parking lot is 2021 Mission Road. Please access the parking lot via this west entrance.* 

Partner Events: 

Friday, May 8, 2026 

The Florida Historic Capitol Museum will commemorate the 245th anniversary of the fall of British Pensacola to Spain with an engaging talk by author and speaker Mike Bunn. Guests will get closer to understanding the often-overlooked tensions in Revolutionary War-era Florida - a British outpost surrounded by American Patriots. Non-member fees are $10; Museum members are free. Program fee includes lunch. 

May 22-24, 2026 

The 74th annual Florida Folk Festival is a three-day celebration of the music, dance, stories, crafts and food that make Florida unique. From Irish fiddle tunes, contra dancing and root beer floats to the wide varieties of music of immigrants, the state's cultural heritage reflects the lives of generations of Florida families and communities. Throughout the Memorial Day weekend, more than 300 performances will give voice and meaning to Florida's heritage. Every year the Florida Department of State's Florida Folklife Program researches a special topic on Florida's traditional heritage. The 2026 festival Folklife Area will celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary. The festival's Folklife Area will feature performances and demonstrations celebrating the diverse living traditions of Florida. Visit the Folklife Area to experience the compelling traditions and savor the flavors, sights and sounds of some of Florida's oldest and newest cultural communities. Held annually at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive, White Springs, Florida. Tickets are available here! 

Ongoing Exhibits: 

May 1, 2026 – May 31, 2026 

Built in 1841, Union Bank is considered Florida’s oldest surviving bank building. Exhibits chronicle the history of the building, its many uses over time, and the story of how preservationists saved it from demolition. Featured in the exhibits are artifacts related to the building’s preservation story. Exhibits are accessible during normal museum operating hours, Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Union Bank Museum is free, open to the public, and located at 219 Apalachee Parkway, in Tallahassee, Florida. 

Throughout 2026 

For almost 200 years, a copy of Gilbert Stuart’s famous Lansdowne portrait of George Washington has hung in the Florida Capitol. Now, The George Washington Experience will provide visitors with new and interactive ways to engage with this iconic Historic Capitol exhibit. The George Washington Experience is the Florida Historic Capitol’s signature project for the America250 commemoration and includes several long-term and strategic investments to ensure an enduring symbol of our democracy is preserved for and made accessible to future Floridians. Exhibits are accessible during normal museum operating hours, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sundays and Holidays Noon to 4:30 p.pm. The Florida Historic Capitol Museum is free, open to the public, and located at 400 South Monroe Street, in Tallahassee, Florida. 

Other Events Across the State: 

Gainesville May Events:  
  • Saturday, May 9 – Floridiana Festival, A Matheson History Museum event held at First Magnitude Brewing Company! 

First Magnitude, 1220 SE Veitch Street 

Vintage Florida memorabilia and kitsch for sale, enjoy a specially branded Floridiana Festival beer and swag 

https://mathesonmuseum.org/events/ 

  • Wednesday, May 20 – 5th Annual Historic Preservation Awards 

City of Gainesville Historic Preservation Board event at the Matheson History Museum, 513 E University Avenue. 

Reception at 5:30, program starts at 6:00 pm. Open to the Public.  

  • Saturday, May 23 – Evergreen Cemetery, 401 SE 21st Avenue, from 9-11 am 

Help place American flags on the graves of Veterans. All ages welcome, a great way to help kids understand Memorial Day. 

For more info: call Karen Pruss, Cemetery Coordinator, (352) 393-8535, [email protected] 

 

Lakeland May Events: 
  • Historic Preservation Month Proclamation, May 1, 2026, 3:00pm, Lakeland City Hall, City Commission Chamber
  • Annual Historic Preservation Awards, May 11, 2026, 5:30pm, Polk Theatre
  • Discover Your House History Workshop, May 21, 2026, 5:30pm, Lakeland Public Library, Lakeland History Room
  • Historic Preservation Board Annual Review Presentation, May 28, 2026, 8:30am, Lakeland City Hall, City Commission Chamber

 

Orlando May Events:  
  • Downtown Walking Tour:

https://www.downtownorlando.com/Fun/Events/Downtown-Historic-District-Architectural-Walking-Tour-May-1-2026

  • Lake Lawsona Walking Tour:

https://www.downtownorlando.com/Fun/Events/Lake-Lawsona-Historic-District-Walking-Tour-26

  • Lake Cherokee Walking Tour:

https://www.downtownorlando.com/Fun/Events/Lake-Cherokee-Historic-District-Tour-26

  • Lake Eola Heights Walking Tour:

https://www.downtownorlando.com/Fun/Events/Lake-Eola-Heights-Historic-District-Walking-Tour-26

All tours are free and led by local residents. RSVP is required only to make sure we have enough docents.

 

St. Augustine May Events: 

St. Augustine History Festival May 6-10, 2026 

St. Augustine History Festival 

 

Pinellas County Heritage Village May Events: 

In 2026, Heritage Village proudly commemorates its 50th anniversary, coinciding with America’s 250th celebration. 

 The Signature Program is OPEN! Application Launch The Power of Place Oral History Program 

On May 2 visit the new exhibit: The Citrus Wizard’s Journey – Lue Gim Gong and the Immigrant Spirit 

 

Polk County History Center May Events: 
  • May 7th - The Polk County Historical Commission will meet at 3 p.m. in the boardroom in the Polk County Administration Building, 330 W. Church St., Bartow. Meetings are open to the public.
  • May 16 - Join the history center’s education team on an architectural tour of the Polk County History Center. Discover the neoclassical architectural elements that historic courthouse architect E.C. Hosford incorporated in the design which defines this iconic Polk County landmark. The tour begins at 11 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month at the Polk County History Center, 100 E. Main St. in Bartow. Tours are free and reservations are not required.
  • May 30th - Jim Thornhill, chief researcher for Heroes of the Past, will show interested genealogists how to move beyond basic facts to uncover the details that help bring their ancestors to life. Guests are invited to participate via Zoom or in person at the Polk County History Center, 100 E. Main St. in Bartow. For additional information please contact Research and Genealogy Historian Shannon Graham by calling (863) 534-4604 or e-mail [email protected].

 

St. Johns County May Events:  
  • May 6-10th is the St Augustine History Festival, St. Augustine History Festival. Join Megan Wright of the St. Johns County Parks and Rec Department for the opening event, a historic walk and talk on Butler Beach. 
  • Join St Johns County Parks and Rec May 7th for their Day of Thanks volunteer event! Help restore a natural area previously impacted by invasive species by planting native plants that support a healthier ecosystem. All supplies will be provided-just bring your own water and wear closed-toe shoes. Come give back to the environment and make a lasting impact in your community!
  • On May 19th, the St Johns County Board of County Commissioners will be presenting a Historic Preservation Month Proclamation to County staff and fellow community members. 

 

Sanford May Events: 

50 years of Sanford Preservation Celebration in May 

https://sanfordfl.gov/celebrate-50-years-of-historical-preservation-in-sanford/ 

 

Tallahassee May Events:  
  • May 9th - 2:00 p.m., Spirit of Emancipation Event – New Image Christian Center
    Celebrate individuals and groups in North Florida counties who have been pivotal to the continuation of Emancipation Day celebrations in their communities. Event features the Cultural Keepers Awards Ceremony, traditional foods, drumming, and ancestral stories of freedom. 1904 Old Bainbridge Road, Tallahassee.

 

  • Tuesday, May 12 – Emancipation Day in Florida: Looking Back on the 20th of May
    Museum of Florida History Educator Jose Zamora will discuss the historical context of Florida’s Emancipation Day and its special connections to local sites in Tallahassee.
    3:00 p.m., LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library
    5:00 p.m., Jane G. Sauls Fort Braden Branch Library

 

  • Saturday, May 16 - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Walk Through Living History – Speed Spencer Stephens Park. 2nd Infantry Regiment USCT will be hosting a living history day at Speed Spencer Stephens Park.

 

  • Tuesday, May 19 - 8:30 a.m., Journey to Emancipation Conference – Parkview at Cascades (registration required). Hosted by Florida Black American Heritage Preservation Network (FAAHPN). There will be a keynote speech at 9:00 a.m. by Dr. Rik Stevenson. A retired pastor and professor at United Theological Seminary, Dr. Stevenson will speak on African American theology and his archaeological research on sunken slave vessels.

 

  • Saturday, May 23 - 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Emancipation and Abolitionist Ball – Tallahassee State College (ticketed event). 2nd Infantry USCT celebrates the annual Emancipation and Abolitionist Ball.

 

  • Tuesday, May 26 - 6:00 p.m., Uncovering the Past: Florida’s Hidden History – LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library. Join director Valerie Scoon, Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts, for a special screening of Invisible History: Middle Florida’s Hidden Roots.

 

Historic Preservation in Florida  

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 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 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 is comprised of three bureaus – Archaeological Research, Historic Preservation, and Historical Museums.  

National Historic Preservation Month is a campaign led by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. DHR uses this initiative as an opportunity to showcase ways in which the division works year-round to promote and protect Florida’s historic places, including cemeteries. Historic preservation improves our quality of life and contributes to our understanding of each other and the diverse heritage of our state. Preservation of historic sites and properties also benefits Florida’s economy, drawing locals and visitors to support their favorite local venues and historic places. 

Connect with Us on Social Media! 

To find out more about other events and programs taking place throughout the state during Historic Preservation Month, find us on Facebook Florida Division of Historical Resources, Florida Main Street Program, The Museum of Florida History, The Grove Museum, Union Bank Museum, and Mission San Luis. 

The Division of Historical Resources also has an Instagram! Tag @flheritage and join the conversation by using #PreservationMonthFL. 

 

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