In honor of the city of Tallahassee's bicentennial this year, the community is coming together to build a replica of Florida’s first capitol—a log cabin that served as Florida's first legislative home.
Spearheaded by Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey, the First Florida Capitol log cabin will debut in the fall of 2024 and be open to the public through the spring of 2025.
Dr. William Simmons of St. Augustine and John Lee Williams of Pensacola recommended Tallahassee as the site for Florida’s territorial capital in 1823. On March 4, 1824, Territorial Governor William Duval signed a proclamation designating Tallahassee as the new capital.
Shortly after, a log cabin Capitol building was constructed and served as the meeting place for the thirteen members of the Legislative Council.
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We stand at the edge of a new century. In 2024, our community has an opportunity to celebrate the past through our 200th anniversary while embracing the next 100 years. More than an anniversary, we extend an invitation to residents and visitors alike to join us as we honor our story and the powerful next chapter we are poised to write.
Tallahassee’s story is profound. We are a community of doers, dreamers and believers. Our ambition endures to innovate, commemorate, illuminate, activate, educate, negotiate, elevate, celebrate, create and appreciate.
THE HISTORY
OF FLORIDA'S
FIRST CAPITOL
April 9, 2024 marks the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the first American settler party to the new Florida capital of Tallahassee. More than a year later, the Pensacola Gazette provides some details of the arrival of this group of seven and is the basis of the video produced by Friends of First Florida Capitol.
While the settlement of Tallahassee and Middle Florida brought Florida further into the American fold, the tragic history of Native American displacement and the expansion of slavery was destined to be sadly repeated.
Learn how you can be part of rebuilding a replica of the original log cabin that served as Florida's first legislative home, through volunteering, donating, educating or celebrating.
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FIRST FLORIDA CAPITOL IS A
PROUD PARTNERSHIP OF
