Calendar of Events


Museum of Florida History
And the Galleries at the R.A. Gray Building

500 South Bronough Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250
850.245.6400  850.245.6433 fax
Knott House Museum
A Museum of FL History Site
301 East Park Avenue
Tallahassee, FL 32301
850.922.2459

Exhibits and Programs

Special Tours
  • Museum of Florida History Highlights Tours - These are guided tours offered Monday through Friday 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The tour is approximately 20 minutes long and offers visitors a time to travel from prehistoric Florida to the present. For more information, contact 850-245-6400. Museum of Florida History, free.
  • The Knott House Museum Tour - Although, its history can be traced as far back as the Civil War when the Emancipation Proclamation was announced, the historic house is now restored to its early 20th-century appearance when the house was occupied by politician William Knott and his wife, Luella. Mrs. Knott composed verses about many of the items in her home and hosted social gatherings. For information about tours and special events, call 922-2459. Tours offered Wednesday-Friday, on the hour at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m.; Saturday tours start at 10:00 a.m. and last tour starts at 3:00 p.m., free.
Ongoing
  • First Friday Gallery Hop - The Museum of Florida History and the Heritage Gallery have extended hours the first Friday of each month as part of COCA's First Friday Gallery Hop. The History Shop is also open. Hours are 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Museum of Florida History, free.
  • 2nd Saturday Family Programs - The second Saturday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Museum hosts programs for families. Hands-on activities highlight a different theme each month.  Museum of Florida History, free.
  • 3rd Thursday at the Museum - The Museum has extended hours the third Thursday of each month until 8:00 p.m. Special tours, programs, and food are included in the evening's activities. A local restaurant caters the food for $10 per person for members and $15 per person for nonmembers. Each month highlights a different theme. The History Shop is also open until 8:00 p.m.  Museum of Florida History, free.
  • The Highwaymen Paintings - Highwaymen paintings are on view in the Museum lobby and gallery. The Museums of Florida History Foundation, Inc. has donated several of these paintings to the Museum collection. The Dixie Folk Art Gallery donated the Museum's first Highwaymen painting in 1999.  Museum Main Gallery, free.
  • Brown Bag Break Series - The Museum hosts programs every fourth Tuesday in the R. A. Gray Building. New topics on Florida history will be discussed by an expert. Special tours are often included in the program. Lunch is not provided, but may be pre-ordered from Fat Sandwich at 425.8303. The programs are free. Times are noon to 1:00 p.m.  R. A. Gray Building, free.
November 19, 2009 - April 05, 2010
  • Voices of Florida Women - The exhibit includes artifacts drawn exclusively from the permanent collections of the Museum that highlight women from various backgrounds who have made contributions to the social, economic, and cultural development of Florida. Museum Main Gallery, free.
December 18, 2009 - May 16, 2010
  • The Greek Communities of the Bahamas and Tarpon Springs: An Intertwined History - The exhibit presents the first documentation of the Bahamian Greek community and its connections to Tarpon Springs. The sponge trade in Florida and the Caribbean has been an international endeavor of economic importance since the 19th century. Heritage Gallery, free.
January 08 - March 31, 2010
  • The Crafts of Cooke and Sampley - The Curator's Choice exhibit features Viva J. Cooke and Julia May Sampley who taught women to make useful housefold items from palmetto fronds, corn shucks, pine needles, and other natural materials during the Great Depression. Museum Main Gallery, free.
February 10, 2010
  • Meet the Authors - The history of the Cross Florida Barge Canal is the subject of a new book called "Ditch of Dreams." The authors, Steven Noll and David Tegeder, will do a presentation and book signing at the Historic Capitol. This is a joint program with the Museum of Florida History and the Department of Environmental Protection. Attendees will also be invited to tour the House Office in the Historic Capitol to learn more about the subject. A book signing and refreshments will be included in the program 5:30 p.m. Historic Capitol, free.
February 13, 2010
  • 2nd Saturday Family Programs - This month's program will interpret Luella Knott's writings. Participants will use two craft projects, folded poetry books and Valentine-making. 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Museum Main Gallery, free.
February 14, 2010
  • Romantic Readings at the Knott House - The focus will be the poetry of Luella Knott. Poet Laureate of the Big Bend Mary Jane Ryals will do a presentation. The program includes live music with Jamie Gossett on the harp. Refreshments will be served after the program. 2:00 p.m. Knott House Museum, free.
February 18, 2010
  • 3rd Thursday - Dr. Murell Dawson of the the Southeastern Black Archives Research Center at FAMU, will speak about African American women in Florida. The Dayve Stewart Group will entertain, and food will be available for purchase. Times are 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Florida's History Shop is open. Museum Main Gallery, free.
February 21, 2010
  • Mothers' Sunday at the Museum - Tour the exhibit "Voices of Florida Women" with your mother and enjoy music with Revised Edition at 2:00 p.m. and at 3:00 p.m. Museum Main Gallery, free.
February 23, 2010
  • Brown Bag Break - "History of the African Experience in Tallahassee." Peter Cowdrey will talk about the influece on the history of Tallahassee and Florida. Lunch may be pre-ordered from Fat Sandwich at 425.8303. Times are noon to 1:00 p.m. R. A. Gray Building, First Floor, free.
March 04, 2010
  • A Celebration of Voices of Florida Women - Juanita Greene, environmentalist, will present a program followed by excerpts from the Ken Burns film on the National Parks. Pam Laws will perform with FSU jazz faculty pianist, Bill Peterson. Refreshments will be provided. 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Museum Main Gallery, free.
March 13, 2010
  • 2nd Saturday Family Programs - The program will feature the art of cameonas by Olive Commons. Participants will paint Florida scenes on dishes or porcelain ovals. 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Museum Main Gallery, free.
March 16, 2010
  • For Better or Worse: Women's Health in the Past Century - Dr. Jennifer Koslow, Head of the Public History Program at FSU, and Kimberly Berfield, Deputy Secretary of Health at the Florida Department of Health, will moderate a community discussion about the progress of wome's health in the past century. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Knott House Museum, free.
March 18, 2010
  • 3rd Thursday - Noted archaeologist Dr. Kathleen Deagan will speak about women in the field of archaeology and sign copies of her latest book, "Ft. Mose: Colonial America's Black Fortress of Freedom." Tanager will play Irish Folk music and there will be food for purchase. Florida's History Shop is open. Times are 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Museum Main Gallery, free.
March 21, 2010
  • Mothers' Sunday at the Museum - Tour "Voices of Florida Women" and enjoy the experience with your mother. Music will be provided by Revised Edition at 2:00 p.m. and at 3:00 p.m. Museum Main Gallery, free.
March 23, 2010
  • Brown Bag Break - Joan Denman, archivist from FSU's WWII Institute, will talk about women during WWII, "We Can Do It." Lunch may be pre-ordered from Fat Sandwich at 425.8303. Innovation Art Gallery, first floor, free.
April 10, 2010
  • 2nd Saturday Family Programs - Hands-on history programs that focus on a new theme each month. Times are 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Museum Main Gallery, free.
April 13, 2010
  • Spring into Haiku at the Knott House - Learn about Haiku poetry in an elegant setting, and capture your experience of the passing season. Refreshments will be served after the program. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the program starts at 5:30 p.m. Knott House Museum, free.
April 15, 2010
  • 3rd Thursday - This month's program highlights the new exhibit about Florida farming. John Raulerson and Daniel Kariko, researchers on the project, will talk about the exhibit. The Booger Holler String Band will entertain. Food for purchase will be included in the program. Florida's History Shop is open. Times are 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Museum Main Gallery, free.
April 16 - July 05, 2010
  • Beyond Disney, Florida Family Farms - This exhibit traces the traditions of Florida family farming and its demise. Art professors John Raulerson and Daniel Kariko researched and photographed the impact of housing and development on the Florida landscape and culture. Museum Main Gallery, free.
April 27, 2010
  • Brown Bag Break - "The Men in the 27th Bomb Group 1942-1945." Local author and former teacher Mary May will discuss the fate and "Death March" from 1942-1945. Lunch may be pre-ordered from Fat Sandwich at 425.8303. Times are noon to 1:00 p.m. R. A. Gray Building, First Floor, free.
May 02 - 04, 2010
  • History Fair - "Innovation in History: Impact and Change." Students in middle and high school compete in five categories. Winners go to the National History Day competition in College Park, Maryland. The public is invited to view the exhibits between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 3. Tallahassee Community College Campus, free.
May 08, 2010
  • 2nd Saturday Family Programs - Hands-on history for the family. Each month, new topics on Florida history are explored in creative ways. Museum Main Gallery, free.
May 20, 2010
  • Emancipation Celebration - This annual event includes the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, music, speeches, costumned interpreters, and a picnic in Lewis Park. Times are 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Knott House Museum, free.
May 20, 2010
  • 3rd Thursday - Extended hours for special programs, live music, and food for purchase. Florida's History Shop is open. Times are 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Museum Main Gallery, free.
May 26, 2010
  • Brown Bag Break - "Historic Capitol." Andy Edel will discuss the value of the Historic Capitol to Tallahassee and the state of Florida. Lunch may be pre-ordered from Fat Sandwich at 425.8303. Times are noon to 1:00 p.m. R. A. Gray Building, First Floor, free.