Department of State Celebrates National Preservation Month

- Special activities planned throughout May -

TALLAHASSEE — Secretary  of State Ken Detzner announced today that the Florida Department of State will celebrate National Preservation Month with special activities throughout the month of May.

“We are proud to celebrate the contributions that historic preservation makes to the state of  Florida,” said Secretary Detzner.“ The preservation of our historic properties and places improves our quality of life and makes our communities truly special. With archaeological sites dating back 12,000 years, to the elaborate hotels developed by Florida’s 20th century railroad barons, Florida attracts heritage tourists who seek out and enjoy the many entertaining and educational opportunities that our state has to offer.”

National Preservation Month Events:

Rotunda Rendezvous
May 8 at 5:30 p.m.
To kickoff National Preservation Month, Secretary Detzner and State Historic Preservation Officer Robert F. Bendus will present Preservation Month Proclamations in the state’s Historic Capitol Museum. Secretary Detzner will be the featured speaker at the opening session of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation annual conference on May 15 in Tampa.

Preservation Month Contest
Throughout May
The Department is sponsoring a contest to identify historic architecture of the Tallahassee area. Top prize will be an exclusive “hard hat” tour of The Grove, providing the winner with a sneak peak at this landmark historic site. For contest entry information visit FLheritage.com.

Historic Preservation in Florida: Embark, Inspire, Engage Exhibit
Throughout May
An exhibit of the Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation in the lobby of the R.A. Gray Building at 500 South Bronough Street in Tallahassee will feature images of historic buildings in the Tallahassee area and throughout the state, and original architectural elements and artifacts from the Historic Capitol and The Grove.

Guided Walking Tours  of Park Avenue Historic District
May 10 and 24 
Guided Tours in Florida's Capital & The Forgotten Coast will offer special tours on Saturday, May 10 and Saturday, May 24 from 5-7 p.m. each day, for a charge of $15 per person. Additional tours of downtown Tallahassee are also provided upon request at a similar cost per  person. To reserve a space, contact booking@toursintallahassee.com.

Trolley Tour of Tallahassee’s Mid-Century Modern buildings
May 24 at 10:00 a.m.
A free tour of Mid-Century Modern style homes in the Betton Hills and Woodland Drive residential areas will be presented by Dr. Barbara Mattick, former Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer. Recently retired, Dr. Mattick was primarily responsible for Florida’s National Register and National Historic Landmark programs for over 20 years. To reserve your space, call the Bureau of Historic Preservation at 850.245.6333 by May 21.

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About  National Preservation Month
This annual initiative, a project of the National Trust for Historic  Preservation, is designed to encourage preservation organizations throughout the nation to showcase the importance and value of celebrating and saving historic places in  their communities. The 2014 Preservation Month theme is “New Age of Preservation: Embark, Inspire, Engage.”

About the Division of Historical Resources
The Division of Historical Resources (DHR) is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. DHR directs historic preservation efforts throughout the state in cooperation with state and federal agencies, local governments, private organizations, and individuals. The director of DHR serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, acting as the liaison with the national historic preservation program conducted by the National Park Service. Chapter 267, Florida Statutes, directs DHR to develop a statewide historic preservation plan. The Division is comprised of two Bureaus or major program areas: archaeological research and historic preservation.