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The State Library and Archives of Florida is the central
repository
Repository may refer to:
Archives and online databases
* Content repository, a database with an associated set of data management tools, allowing application-independent access to the content
* Disciplinary repository (or subject repository), an ...
for the archives of state government for the state of
Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
. It is located at the R.A. Gray Building on 500 South Bronough Street in
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee ( ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, Florida, Leon County. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In ...
, Florida's capital.
Mandated by
state law State law refers to the law of a federated state, as distinguished from the law of the federation of which it is a part. It is used when the constituent components of a federation are themselves called states. Federations made up of provinces, cant ...
, the Florida State Archives is assigned to collect, preserve, and make available for research the historically significant records of Florida. It also stores and makes available private
manuscript
A manuscript (abbreviated MS for singular and MSS for plural) was, traditionally, any document written by hand – or, once practical typewriters became available, typewritten – as opposed to mechanically printing, printed or repr ...
s and correspondence, local government records, photographs, maps, film clips, and materials that complement the official state records and Florida history.
Many photos from the
Florida Photographic Collection
The Florida Photographic Collection is a nationally recognized component of the State Archives of Florida and contains over a million images, and over 6,000 movies and video tapes. Over 200,000 of the photographs are available through the Florid ...
are used frequently for articles on
Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a multilingual free online encyclopedia written and maintained by a community of volunteers, known as Wikipedians, through open collaboration and using a wiki-based editing system. Wikipedia is the largest and most-read refer ...
and assist users in describing events in
Florida history. A selection of archival items from the State Library and Archives are available through the digital outreach program
Florida Memory
Florida Memory or the Florida Memory Program (formerly known as Florida Photographic Digital Imaging Project and Florida Memory Project) is an LSTA-funded internet-based digital outreach program providing free online access to primary source mate ...
.
History
The State Library and Archives of Florida was a library of humble beginnings in the year 1845. Shortly after its admission as a state, the legislature began to realize the vital and crucial need to preserve, protect, and collect documents about the history of Florida. During that same legislative meeting, a statute was enacted naming the "Secretary of State" responsible for the care, collection, organization, and display of all "books and maps belonging to the state be collected together (Florida's 'State' Library, 1909). It was also said in the statute that all such documents be cataloged as thoroughly as possible. However, this task was neglected, and as a result, the library and archives suffered (Florida's 'State' Library, 1909).
According to the
Florida Historical Society
The Florida Historical Society is an organization that promotes the study of the history of Florida. Incorporated in 1856, the Society collects, preserves and publishes materials relating to the history of Florida and its denizens. After being re ...
's article during the administration of Dr. Jno. L. Crawford, "a space in the upper corridor of the Capitol was partitioned off and furnished with shelving, and a large number of the (apparently) most valuable of the books, maps, etc., was deposited there; and many such occupied shelves are in the office of the Secretary" (Florida's 'State' Library, 1909). However, when the Capital was remodeled in 1902, the commissioners intended to create space to accommodate the growing library but failed to do so.
H. Clay Crawford, Secretary of State at the time, placed shelving on the either side of the basement walls and moved several books unarranged and uncatalogued where they were left in the dusty damp air. It is undetermined just how many documents of historical value lay untouched and neglected in the basement of the State Library, and it was not until some sixty years later that the library flourished as a historical point or reference for its patrons.
The State Library would prosper under William Thomas (W.T.) Cash. Cash had been a teacher and experience working in the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. He wrote several articles and books about Florida history. He would be appointed to be State Librarian in 1927. At this time the State Library was housed in the basement of the Capital building. Later in 1949, it would be moved to the Florida Supreme Court building once construction was complete. Cash would help grow the collection from 1,500 uncatalogued volumes to over 50,000 volumes, with a particular interest in rare books and volumes. He would eventually retire from the State Library in 1951.
The State Librarian of Florida is Amy L. Johnson, appointed in 2015. Previous State Librarians were Cecil Beach, 1971- 1977; Barratt Wilkins, 1977-2003; and Judith A. Ring, 2003-2015.
Holdings
*State Government Records
*Local Government Records
*Manuscripts (Non-Government Records)
*
Florida Photographic Collection
The Florida Photographic Collection is a nationally recognized component of the State Archives of Florida and contains over a million images, and over 6,000 movies and video tapes. Over 200,000 of the photographs are available through the Florid ...
*Genealogical Collection
*Legislative Acts Committee Records
*Civil War Records
*Military Service & Pension Records
*Florida Folklife Collection
See also
*
Florida Historical Society
The Florida Historical Society is an organization that promotes the study of the history of Florida. Incorporated in 1856, the Society collects, preserves and publishes materials relating to the history of Florida and its denizens. After being re ...
*
Florida Memory Program
Florida Memory or the Florida Memory Program (formerly known as Florida Photographic Digital Imaging Project and Florida Memory Project) is an LSTA-funded internet-based digital outreach program providing free online access to primary source mate ...
*
Florida Photographic Collection
The Florida Photographic Collection is a nationally recognized component of the State Archives of Florida and contains over a million images, and over 6,000 movies and video tapes. Over 200,000 of the photographs are available through the Florid ...
*
Museum of Florida History
The Museum of Florida History is the U.S. state of Florida's history museum, housing exhibits and artifacts covering its history and prehistory. It is located in the state capital, Tallahassee, Florida, at the R. A. Gray Building, 500 South Brono ...
*
W.T. Cash
References
External links
Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information ServicesFlorida Department of State, Florida State ArchivesFlorida Memory
{{Authority control
Buildings and structures in Tallahassee, Florida
State agencies of Florida
Libraries in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
History of Florida
1845 establishments in Florida
Libraries established in 1845
Public libraries in Florida
Government agencies established in 1845