In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson began officially commemorating African-American history during an annual week of remembrance. Woodson promoted the observance of “Negro History Week” during the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
Woodson was one of the first academically trained African-American historians in the United States. Through his efforts to celebrate and study the nation's African-American heritage, February is now officially designated as Black History Month.
The list below features resources on African-American history from the collections of the State Library and Archives of Florida. Black history in Florida is especially rich, dating back to the early 16th century. These resources attest to the struggles and triumphs of persons of African descent in Florida history.
The State Library and Archives of Florida is located on the second floor of the R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida, two blocks west of the State Capitol. Our public research facilities are open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The State Library and Archives is closed Saturdays, Sundays and on state holidays.
Researchers are encouraged to check with the The State Library and Archives to verify operating hours and records availability prior to visiting. Directions are available in an online map.
If you need additional assistance locating information for your process paper and annotated bibliography, talk to the librarian at your school or public library or use the Ask-a-Librarian service. A librarian can help you locate primary and secondary resources that may not be retrieved using search engines such as Google.
Florida Memory is funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Florida’s LSTA program is administered by the Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services.
Florida's history is your history. Help us preserve it by joining the Friends of the State Library & Archives of Florida