Constitution Convention Museum State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Constitution Convention Museum State Park |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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 Constitution Convention Museum State Park
Location in Florida
Constitution Convention Museum State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Port St. Joe, Gulf County, Florida, USA |
| Area | 14 acres (5.7 ha) |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
The Constitution Convention Museum State Park is a special state park located near Port St. Joe in northwestern Florida. This 14-acre (57,000 m2) park has a museum that shows what life was like in the 1800s in the old town of St. Joseph. You can see life-sized figures and listen to audio stories about Florida's very first meeting to create its constitution. The park's address is 200 Allen Memorial Way.
Contents
Florida's First Constitution Meeting
The Early Days of St. Joseph
The town of St. Joseph started in 1835 but was gone by 1844. It is famous because it hosted Florida's first Constitutional Convention in 1838. A Constitutional Convention is a big meeting where people decide on the rules and laws for a new state.
Choosing a Location for the Convention
St. Joseph was chosen over Tallahassee, which was the capital of Florida at the time. People who wanted St. Joseph to grow pushed for it. There was also a disagreement between different parts of Florida. People from Middle Florida, who often had more money, really wanted Florida to become a state.
Debate Over Statehood
However, people in East and West Florida worried that a new state government would cost too much money. They thought Florida should stay a territory for a while longer. A territory is an area that belongs to a country but is not yet a state.
Creating Florida's Constitution
Despite these disagreements, a group of representatives from the territory finally met in St. Joseph. They worked from December 3, 1838, to January 11, 1839. During this time, they wrote the first draft of Florida's constitution. After four more meetings in other places, Florida officially became a state in 1845. St. Joseph holds the special honor of being where the idea of Florida statehood truly began.
What to See and Do at the Park
The museum at the park shows you what town life was like long ago. It also has a special room that looks just like the original convention hall. Inside, you'll find life-sized figures that move and talk! These figures represent some of the important people who were at the convention.
You can see and hear figures of Territorial Governors Robert Reid and William P. Duval. You'll also see Senator David Y. Levy and Attorney Thomas L. Baltzell. They appear to be debating and working on Florida's early constitution, making history come alive!
See also
