Past Exhibits
Andrew Jackson's Florida Legacy
April 1, 2011 - December 31, 2012
Explore Andrew Jackson's impact on Florida's acquisition from Spain and early governmental development. Discover how Jackson used his influence as Florida's first governor and later President of the United States to establish the founding principles of Florida's state government, and why Jackson's association with Florida contributed to his controversial legacy. Encounter the reasons why Floridians have considered "Old Hickory" a hero and a villain.
The exhibition displays artifacts from Jackson's military invasions during the War of 1812 and First Seminole War in addition to items belonging to key figures in Florida's territorial development who were closely associated with Andrew Jackson. Learn more »
Girl Scouting in the Sunshine State:
Celebrating 100 Years
January 12 - August 5, 2012
The Girl Scout Council of the Florida Panhandle (GSCFP) and the Florida Historic Capitol Museum announce the opening of Girl Scouting in the Sunshine State: Celebrating 100 Years on January 12, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. The exhibit, which runs through August 5, 2012, celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouts in Florida and demonstrates the important relationship between Girl Scouts and Florida's state and local governments.
The exhibit features historic Girl Scout uniforms, handbooks, badges, photographs, newspaper articles, and camping gear from all across the state of Florida representing the seven regional Girl Scout Councils. The exhibit was co-produced by a team of Girl Scouts with 15 members along with a committee of adult Girl Scout volunteers and leaders. Learn more »
Remembering Paradise: Souvenirs of Historic Florida Attractions
April 12, 2011 – December 4, 2011
What did you bring me? Did you bring me a souvenir from Florida?
Florida vacations and souvenirs go together just like Florida Sunshine and sandy, white beaches. Tourists have bought untold numbers of Florida souvenirs throughout the years, reflecting the history and culture that is Florida tourism. In partnership with Visit Florida, the Florida Historic Capitol Museum is showcasing the wide variety of keepsakes that capture our remembrances of the great Florida attractions of yesterday and today, and represent Florida's theme parks and roadside attractions.
Learn more »
Events related to the exhibit:
- Remembering Paradise: Scrapbooking Your Summer Vacation
- Capturing Paradise: Floridiana and Souvenir Promotion Day
- Treasuring Paradise: Florida Souvenirs Road Show
- Traveling to Paradise: Tin Can Tourists on Parade
- Visit Paradise: Stories of Weeki Wachee and the Mermaids
Buttons 'n Badges Ads 'n Chads
March 2, 2010 - April 3, 2011
Come explore
nearly two hundred years of
Florida Campaign History
through an exhibit of
political memorabilia on loan
from Tallahassee collector John Clark.
Learn More
Napoleon Bonaparte Broward: Gunrunner to Governor
March 2, 2010 - January 30, 2011
Learn the dramatic story of Governor Broward's life through a series of display panels, photographs, documents and memorabilia. Highlights include a scale model and the original ship's wheel from Broward's tugboat, The Three Friends. Also included are Broward's personal pistol and brass knuckles, and a 1905 inauguration ribbon.
This exhibit was made possible through the generosity of Senate President Jeff Atwater and his cousin, Doug Broward, both great-grandsons of Governor Broward. Their artifacts have never before been publicly displayed. Learn more »
Florida Department of Transportation: Bridging the Past to the Future
August 8, 2010 – October 3, 2010
Visit an engaging exhibit about the development of roads in Florida and the efforts of Florida's Department of Transportation. Highlights include an official 1923 state map, the first report of the State Road department from 1916, a DOT surveyor’s transit, and historic photographs.
Public Service Commission: Trains, Planes, and Solar PVs
April 2, 2010 - August 1, 2010
Did you know that the first commercially available cell phone cost nearly $4,000, its battery had to charge for 10 hours, and it could only be used for 30 minutes of talk time? The Florida Public Service Commission's included information about the history of telecommunication and other regulated utilities. Artifacts on display included copies of Alexander Graham Bell's first drawings of a telephone, an early solar radio from 1959, and other interesting items that document the Commission's early years to the present. One hundred years ago the PSC set railroad rates for our great-grandparents, and today it is charting an energy future for our great grandchildren.
Florida Corrections: Centuries of Progress
January 8, 2010 - March 31, 2010
This exhibit featured artifacts, photos and documents illustrating the history of the Department of Corrections from its inception in 1821 through today. Highlights included a display about Cool Hand Luke written by Florida inmate Donald M. Pearce, a 1930s striped prison shirt, and homemade weapons confiscated from prisoners. This exhibit was developed by the Florida Department of Corrections.
700 North Adams Street: The Florida Governor's Mansion
December 10, 2009 - ?
Few visitors to Tallahassee see the Florida Governor's Mansion immediately. It is not located among the white office buildings clustered around the tower of the Capitol on its hilltop. Those who seek it find pleasant gardens surprisingly close to the bustle of state business, but a world away in feeling. They find a welcoming house, under the shade of live oaks, on a site chosen by legislators when the twentieth century was young. There are many larger houses, older houses, more opulent houses in Florida, but for Floridians, the Governor's Mansion represents the state in a way no other house can. View exhibit photos at the Florida Legislative Research Center and Museum website ».
Laying out the Land
November 1, 2009? - December 31, 2009
Artifacts, photos and documents told about the history and importance of state surveying in Florida. This exhibit was sponsored by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Division of State Lands.
The Evolution of Justice in Florida: the Native-American, Colonial and Territorial Periods
June 30, 2009 - September 2, 2009
On loan from the Florida Supreme Court Library, this exhibit depicted some interesting and significant aspects of the Court and our State's judicial branch throughout Florida's early history. Presented were artifacts, images and documents that trace the development of Florida's judicial organization and how the implementation of justice has shaped Florida's history. The exhibit also addressee the important role of the Courts in expanding, defining and protecting individual rights, and the continuing importance of the separation and balance of power within our government.
