State Library and Archives of Florida facts for kids
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The State Library and Archives of Florida is a special place in Tallahassee, Florida. It's like a giant memory bank for the state of Florida. Here, important old documents and records are kept safe.
This library and archives collects and protects Florida's history. It holds official government papers, old letters, photos, maps, and even videos. All these items help us learn about Florida's past.
Many pictures from their Florida Photographic Collection are used on Wikipedia. They help tell the story of Florida. You can also see some of these old items online through a program called Florida Memory.
Contents
History of the Archives
The State Library and Archives of Florida started small in 1845. This was soon after Florida became a state. People realized they needed to save important documents about Florida's history.
During a meeting, the state government decided the "Secretary of State" would be in charge. This person had to collect, organize, and display all state books and maps. But this job was often forgotten, and the library suffered.
Early Challenges and Changes
For a while, many valuable books and maps were stored in a hallway of the Capitol building. Later, when the Capitol was updated in 1902, there wasn't enough space for the growing library.
The Secretary of State at the time, H. Clay Crawford, moved many books to the dusty basement. They were not organized or listed. It's hard to know how many important documents were lost or damaged there. The library didn't truly grow until about 60 years later.
Growth Under William Thomas Cash
The State Library really started to get better under William Thomas (W.T.) Cash. He had been a teacher and worked in Florida's government. He also wrote many articles and books about Florida's history.
Cash became the State Librarian in 1927. At this time, the library was still in the Capitol building's basement. In 1949, it moved to the new Florida Supreme Court building. Cash helped the collection grow from 1,500 books to over 50,000. He was especially interested in rare and old books. He retired from the State Library in 1951.
What the Archives Holds
The State Library and Archives of Florida keeps many different types of historical items. These are called its "holdings." They help researchers and students learn about Florida's past.
- State Government Records
- Local Government Records
- Manuscripts (private papers, not from the government)
- Florida Photographic Collection (lots of old photos!)
- Genealogical Collection (records to help you trace your family history)
- Legislative Acts Committee Records (documents from state laws)
- Civil War Records
- Military Service & Pension Records
- Florida Folklife Collection (information about Florida's traditions and culture)
