The Florida Historic Capitol Museum
Tallahassee was chosen as the territorial capital of Florida in 1824 due to being halfway between the existing governmental centers of St. Augustine and Pensacola.[1] The first permanent capitol structure was completed in 1845, just prior to Florida's entry into the United States as the 27th state. By the 1880s, however, the state had experienced such large economic growth that the original 1845 structure was no longer adequate and plans were made to upgrade the Capitol building. This included adding running water, a small cupola, and the iconic red and white exterior awnings that helped shade offices from the Florida sun.[2]
In 1902, architect Frank Pierce Milburn was hired to remodel the Capitol, similar in style to Capitols he had designed in other states such as South Carolina and Kentucky. Milburn increased the size of the cupola, now adding a dome to the building as well as installing a colorful art glass subdome that admitted light into the rotunda. This version of the Capitol was the last statehouse in which all three branches of state government were present; The Florida Legislature which represented the Legislative Branch, the Governor's office which represented the Executive Branch, and the Supreme Court representing the Judicial Branch. In 1913, the Supreme Court moved out to occupy its own building.
Subsequent economic grown for the citizens of Florida meant that the Capitol would go through many other additions and renovations throughout the 20th century. In 1936 and 1947, north and south wings were added for the House of Representatives and the Senate, respectively. During this time period, the Capitol almost doubled in size and amount of usable space while retaining its classic look on the outside. Despite this, the structure's original 1845 building remained the "heart" of the structure and is still standing to this day.[3]
By the late 1970s, the Capitol had become outdated, crowded, and in need of repair. Many legislators and other public officials felt that it was time to build a new Capitol to reflect Florida's economic growth and expansion. Plans were created to build a modern tower capitol behind the current Capitol and then tear down the outdated structure to make way for a grassy park. Some Floridians, however, did not support this decision. A few outspoken members of the community organized protests, marches, petitions, and fundraisers. Eventually, they persuaded the state’s legislators to allow the Old Capitol to remain standing. However, the structure needed to be renovated back to its 1902 appearance to satisfy fire marshal laws regarding the space between the new and old structure. As a result, the 1936 and 1947 wing additions were removed and a replica of the original stained glass that was first put in the dome during the 1920s was added. This renovation was a joint effort between the Department of General Services and Florida's Department of State and resulted in the Florida Capitol being one of the most thoroughly documented capitol restoration projects in the nation.[4]
Today the building maintains four historic areas; the House and Senate chambers, the Supreme Court chamber, and the Governor's office suite. In between these spaces are former offices that hold exhibits about the political history of Florida and different issues its government has faced since statehood.[5] The Museum is open 7 days a week, 363 days a year (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day), and often hosts educational temporary exhibits and cultural events throughout the year.
Despite not being the working Capitol since 1978, the Florida Historic Capitol Museum remains one of the most iconic buildings in Tallahassee and across the State of Florida. Its image is used in numerous advertisements for Florida businesses and is often featured in Florida art and media. For Floridians, the building is quintessential Florida, with its red and white striped awnings, greek columns, and cupola perched on top. For non Floridians, the Museum is one of the first images they see, welcoming them to the Sunshine State on their vacation travels. Because of this, the Florida Historic Capitol Museum has become Florida's "front porch," greeting citizens and visitors alike to discover Florida's history and culture.
In 1902, architect Frank Pierce Milburn was hired to remodel the Capitol, similar in style to Capitols he had designed in other states such as South Carolina and Kentucky. Milburn increased the size of the cupola, now adding a dome to the building as well as installing a colorful art glass subdome that admitted light into the rotunda. This version of the Capitol was the last statehouse in which all three branches of state government were present; The Florida Legislature which represented the Legislative Branch, the Governor's office which represented the Executive Branch, and the Supreme Court representing the Judicial Branch. In 1913, the Supreme Court moved out to occupy its own building.
Subsequent economic grown for the citizens of Florida meant that the Capitol would go through many other additions and renovations throughout the 20th century. In 1936 and 1947, north and south wings were added for the House of Representatives and the Senate, respectively. During this time period, the Capitol almost doubled in size and amount of usable space while retaining its classic look on the outside. Despite this, the structure's original 1845 building remained the "heart" of the structure and is still standing to this day.[3]
By the late 1970s, the Capitol had become outdated, crowded, and in need of repair. Many legislators and other public officials felt that it was time to build a new Capitol to reflect Florida's economic growth and expansion. Plans were created to build a modern tower capitol behind the current Capitol and then tear down the outdated structure to make way for a grassy park. Some Floridians, however, did not support this decision. A few outspoken members of the community organized protests, marches, petitions, and fundraisers. Eventually, they persuaded the state’s legislators to allow the Old Capitol to remain standing. However, the structure needed to be renovated back to its 1902 appearance to satisfy fire marshal laws regarding the space between the new and old structure. As a result, the 1936 and 1947 wing additions were removed and a replica of the original stained glass that was first put in the dome during the 1920s was added. This renovation was a joint effort between the Department of General Services and Florida's Department of State and resulted in the Florida Capitol being one of the most thoroughly documented capitol restoration projects in the nation.[4]
Today the building maintains four historic areas; the House and Senate chambers, the Supreme Court chamber, and the Governor's office suite. In between these spaces are former offices that hold exhibits about the political history of Florida and different issues its government has faced since statehood.[5] The Museum is open 7 days a week, 363 days a year (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day), and often hosts educational temporary exhibits and cultural events throughout the year.
Despite not being the working Capitol since 1978, the Florida Historic Capitol Museum remains one of the most iconic buildings in Tallahassee and across the State of Florida. Its image is used in numerous advertisements for Florida businesses and is often featured in Florida art and media. For Floridians, the building is quintessential Florida, with its red and white striped awnings, greek columns, and cupola perched on top. For non Floridians, the Museum is one of the first images they see, welcoming them to the Sunshine State on their vacation travels. Because of this, the Florida Historic Capitol Museum has become Florida's "front porch," greeting citizens and visitors alike to discover Florida's history and culture.
1. "About the Historic Capitol," Florida Historic Capitol Museum, accessed August 9, 2017, page 1, http://www.flhistoriccapitol.gov/Pages/About/Index.aspx
2. "The Historic Capitol of Florida" brochure, Florida Historic Capitol Museum, accessed August 9, 2017, page 1, http://www.flhistoriccapitol.gov/Documents/brochure.pdf
3. Ibid, 2
4. Ibid, 2
5. Ibid, 2
2. "The Historic Capitol of Florida" brochure, Florida Historic Capitol Museum, accessed August 9, 2017, page 1, http://www.flhistoriccapitol.gov/Documents/brochure.pdf
3. Ibid, 2
4. Ibid, 2
5. Ibid, 2