Tallahassee's Museum of Florida History: A Must-See

    By Gary McKechnie

    There are hundreds of museums around Florida, but the one I enjoy most is the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee. I could (and have) stayed here for hours.

    The museum helps visitors understand how dynamic this state is. Honestly. A lot of visitors assume our history began when Florida transitioned into the world’s most popular vacation destination, but this museum covers tens of thousands of years when indigenous tribes carved canoes out of tree trunks and mastodons were plodding through the Panhandle (aka Western Florida).

    On their website, museum officials explain that they "collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret evidence of past and present cultures in Florida, and promote knowledge and appreciation of this heritage." To that end, the museum educates visitors on the Spanish, British, French and Confederates who wanted control of Florida and displays weapons and flags and furniture and assorted artifacts that detail stories of early tourism and government and historic events. Nearly every important period in our state’s history deserves an explanation, and the museum provides it.

    If you’re in the capital for a football game or college event or you’re there simply because Tallahassee’s a great place to visit, take some time and see the Museum of Florida History. If you’re a Florida citizen, it’s a must-see. If you’re a visitor, it’s an entertaining education. And don’t miss the Florida State Archives and Library right upstairs. This is a fantastic collection of government records, manuscripts, videos, postcards, photographs, genealogical records, and other materials. Call (850) 245–6400 or visit www.museumoffloridahistory.com.