The Online Catalog allows searching and browsing of information about the Florida State Archives’ holdings of over 48,000 cubic feet of state and local government records and historical manuscripts. The catalog provides descriptions of over 3,400 collections and lists the contents of containers and folders in many of those collections. For assistance with accessing and using State Archives collections, call our Reference Staff at 850.245.6719 or email us at archives@dos.myflorida.com.
The Florida Sesquicentennial Commission was created by Chapter 94-152, Laws of Florida, and was signed into law by Governor Lawton Chiles on May 11, 1994. The 18-member commission was responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing plans for statewide observance of the 150th anniversary of Florida's statehood, and for promoting awareness of Florida's historic, cultural, and natural resources. On a shoestring budget of $125,000, the commission sanctioned over 600 events statewide, produced calendars of activities, events, and exhibits, and prepared and distributed information packets and education kits for schools and organizations.
The commission coordinated the March 3, 1995 Florida Statehood Stamp First Day Issue Ceremony; the March 13, 1995 statehood celebration by the State Legislature, Governor, and Department of State; and the October 28-29, 1995 "Run of the Century," a 150-mile foot race from Gainesville to Tallahassee concluding with the dedication and placement of a time capsule under the west side steps of the Old Capitol.
As per Chapter 94-152, the commission was terminated on January 1, 1996.
Summary:
This series documents the planning and running of the "Run of the Century" on October 28-29, 1995. This 150-mile foot race from Gainesville to Tallahassee was run in 50 3-mile segments and included a one-mile "Fun Run" within some of those segments, including the last mile of the race to the Old Capitol in Tallahassee. The series includes correspondence and information packets encouraging legislators, local officials, track clubs, university athletic departments, and others to participate as runners, starters, or in some other capacity; press releases announcing the event; memoranda and other materials discussing potential race routes; information from planning meetings; progress reports; information on historic markers to be placed at selected points along the race route; and photographs, slides, and negatives tracing the progress of the race from Gainesville to Tallahassee.
for detailed listing.