State Library and Archives of Florida

The State Library and Archives of Florida is a public facility holding documents, maps, photographs, and manuscripts that trace the state's history from its earliest records. The collection includes genealogical materials and digitized resources available for research and public access.

The institution was founded in 1845 when Florida joined the Union as a state and official records needed to be preserved. Over time, this administrative responsibility grew into a specialized facility dedicated to safeguarding the state's historical documents and materials.

The Florida Memory program presents digitized historical photographs and documents showing how ordinary people lived across different periods in Florida. These materials offer a direct view of daily life experiences among the state's residents over many generations.

The facility is located in downtown Tallahassee at the R.A. Gray Building and provides research space for various types of investigations. Visitors should know that some materials require advance notice and access is available during standard business hours.

The archives hold an extensive collection of Civil War records, including military rosters and letters from Florida regiments during that era. These materials provide rare insights into how soldiers and officials experienced and documented one of America's defining historical moments.