The Florida Historical Society

The Florida Historical Society is the oldest cultural organization in the state, and the only state-wide historical society.  Established in St. Augustine in 1856, the FHS was briefly inactive during the Civil War and Reconstruction, but was reestablished in 1902 and incorporated in 1905.  The FHS is dedicated to preserving Florida's past through the collection, archival maintenance, and publication of historical documents and other materials relating to the history of Florida and its peoples.  The Society operates the FHS Press which publishes a diverse collection of interesting books, maintains the Library of Florida History with its extensive archival collections, and manages the Historic Rossetter House Museum.  We publish scholarly research in the critically acclaimed Florida Historical Quarterly and produce Florida Frontiers: The Weekly Radio Magazine of the Florida Historical Society.  We present a variety of educational public outreach programs including the Florida History Film Festival and the Discover Florida Lecture Series.  The Florida Historical Society Annual Meeting, held in May, features fascinating panel discussions and other special events.  Since 1997 the Headquarters of the Society has been located in historic downtown Cocoa Village at the Library of Florida History.