Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee to close indefinitely after Labor Day

James Call, Tallahassee Democrat
·2 min read
Construction of the R. A. Gray Building, which houses the Museum of Florida History, began in 1973 with the museum opening in 1977. Needed repairs in the plaza above the Museum's exhibit space will forced the Museum to close for an indefinite period of time.
Construction of the R. A. Gray Building, which houses the Museum of Florida History, began in 1973 with the museum opening in 1977. Needed repairs in the plaza above the Museum's exhibit space will forced the Museum to close for an indefinite period of time.

The Labor Day holiday weekend will be the last chance for a while to visit the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee.

Operated and staffed by the Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs, the museum uses a 27,000-square-foot-gallery and 3,000 square feet of changing exhibition space to display exhibits and artifacts unique to Florida history from the prehistoric era to the mid-20th century.

The museum, housed in the basement of the R.A. Gray Building at Madison and Bronough streets, attracts more than 55,000 visitors annually, according to the Department of State.

Mastodons, like this one discovered in Wakulla Springs and on display at the Museum of Florida History, helped spread the seeds of ancient cucurbits during the Ice Age.
Mastodons, like this one discovered in Wakulla Springs and on display at the Museum of Florida History, helped spread the seeds of ancient cucurbits during the Ice Age.

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Plaza above museum to be repaired; museum to be closed as precaution

The plaza above the museum is being repaired and a spokesman said the museum will close as a precautionary measure for an indefinite time during the repairs.

Secretary of State Cord Byrd said special care is being taken to protect the museum’s 46,800 artifacts, with many already removed from the museum for the duration of the renovations.

“We take great pride in preserving our artifacts and sharing them with the public,” said Byrd, calling the Museum’s collection “an important part of Florida’s irreplaceable heritage.”

The Museum of Florida History has a recreated bait shop, fishing-related artifacts, photographs, and text panels help interpret the history and growth of sports fishing.
The Museum of Florida History has a recreated bait shop, fishing-related artifacts, photographs, and text panels help interpret the history and growth of sports fishing.

Through Labor Day, exhibits that remain open include “Florida’s First People," which tells the story of Florida’s Native Americans; “The Waterways,” which features a recreated steamboat; along with “Grandma’s Attic,” a display of early 20th century artifacts in a recreated attic overlooking the main exhibit area; and “The Lure of Florida Fishing,” a testament to angling along the state’s 8,000 miles of coastlines, lake shores and riverbanks.

The Department of State said a reopening date for the Museum will be announced when one becomes available.

James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on him Twitter: @CallTallahassee

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: State closes museum at R.A. Gray Building as a precaution for repairs