The Florida Historic Capitol Museum (FHCM) and the Museum of Florida History (MFH) invite visitors to pull back the curtain on the secret life of “unseen” objects in museum collections and follow the journey of an artifact’s life from acquisition to storage and exhibition.
Opening on June 16 at the FHCM, Unseen: Museum Collections Revealed is a collaborative exhibit between the two museums featuring forty never or rarely seen artifacts selected from both museums’ collections.
“The collaboration between the Florida Historic Capitol Museum and the Museum of Florida History offers the opportunity to showcase some of the many unique and historically significant items that these institutions are preserving for future generations,” said Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd.
Artifacts including clothing, personal items, souvenir goods, and artwork illustrate the various ways that objects join museum collections and support the museum’s mission. Equally important are the methods museums use to protect historic objects from harmful conditions and preserve them for future research and display.
“Only a small percentage of a museum’s collection can be displayed at any given time,” said FHCM Director, Tiffany Baker. “Unseen gives us the opportunity to show off some of the items in our collection that don’t really fit into any of our current exhibits, as well as to share with the public the work that goes into preserving and protecting artifacts.”
“Many of the items in the exhibit were donated to the Museums by members of the public,” said MFH Director Lisa Barton. “This exhibit offers a great opportunity to highlight these historic objects and the various ways artifacts can end up in a museum’s collection.”
Exhibit-goers will witness the power of artifacts to connect people across time, cultures, and physical space. Visitors can expect to see objects that represent political traditions, folk culture, and livelihoods, as well as view family heirlooms and other artifacts that illustrate Florida’s global connections and diverse population. In an interactive educational space, visitors can join the ranks of museum curators and collections managers and test their skills at packing and cataloging artifacts.
A media preview will be held June 15th from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Unseen: Museum Collections Revealed, will be on display at the FHCM Until October 15, 2023.
About the Florida Historic Capitol Museum
The Florida Historic Capitol Museum is located at 400 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday and holidays, noon to 4:30 p.m. The Museum is closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Under the management of the Florida Legislature, the Museum serves to illuminate the past, present, and future connections between the people of Florida and their political institutions through programs of civic education, historic interpretation, and preservation.
About the Museum of Florida History
The Museum of Florida History is part of the Florida Department of State. As the State’s History Museum, the Museum of Florida History collects, preserves, exhibits, and interprets evidence of past and present cultures in Florida, and promotes knowledge and appreciation of this heritage.
