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Chronological by month. For several months the records are divided between the director's office files and the chief of information and education files.
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Biographical/Historical:
The Board of Parks and Historic Memorials, commonly known as the Florida Park Service, was originally created in 1935 (Ch. 17025, Laws of Florida) and was administered within the Board of Forestry. In 1949, the park service became an independent agency, the Board of Parks and Historic Memorials (Ch. 25353, Laws). Its purpose was to administer and control the operation and development of the state parks and historic sites of Florida. In 1969, the Board was merged with the Outdoor Recreational Development Council (Ch. 63-36, Laws) to form the Division of Recreation and Parks (Ch. 69-106, Laws) under the Department of Natural Resources. The Division eventually moved to the newly created Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in 1993 (Ch. 93-213, Laws). Between 1957 and 1960, the Florida Park Service's administrative staff consisted of a Board comprised of five governor-appointed citizens, a director, assistant director, fiscal agent, publicity chief, and various stenographers. The first director was Charles H. Schaeffer, who served in that position from 1935 to 1937. He was followed by H.J. Malsberger (1937-1940) and Lewis Scoggin (1940-1952). After Emmet Hill's tenure (1953-1960), the board saw two more directors -- Walter Coldwell (1960-1963) and N.E. "Bill" Miller (1963-1969) -- before merging into the Division of Recreation and Parks in 1969.
Summary:
The reading files for the Florida Park Service's central office between 1957 and 1960 are comprised of all the outgoing correspondence during the period and document the activities and policies of the fiscal branch, chief of information and education, and the director's office. Records include correspondence, memoranda, and telegrams. Also included is a small amount of incoming correspondence. The files provide information on park operations, acquisition and development of new park areas, visitor relations, marketing, political issues, budgetary and personnel matters, policy formation, and daily park service administrative functions.
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Schaeffer, Charles H. Hill, Emmet, 1902-
Florida Park Service. Florida. Board of Parks and Historic Memorials. Parks and Historic Memorials, Board of.
Parks Florida Tourism Florida. Natural resources Florida