State Government Records
The State Government Records document the history, organization, and functions of Florida state government, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The records contain the public records, as defined by Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, of Florida’s government from the territorial period to the present.
The State Archives arranges the records by record groups, then series. Record groups are a hierarchical division, representing the creating agency. Within a record group, the records are arranged into series, which are created, received, or used in the same activity. This guide is arranged by records groups, which are listed by relevance to the topic. The first three record groups contain the records of the administering agencies of the Florida Park Service: the Department of Natural Resources, the Division of Recreation and Parks, and the Department of Environmental Protection, listed chronologically. The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund Record Group follows since the records document the finances of the state parks. The remaining record groups contain a series that pertain to the Florida Park Service or an individual park and are arranged alphabetically. All pertinent series within a record group are listed under the creating agency.
The State Archives arranges the records by record groups, then series. Record groups are a hierarchical division, representing the creating agency. Within a record group, the records are arranged into series, which are created, received, or used in the same activity. This guide is arranged by records groups, which are listed by relevance to the topic. The first three record groups contain the records of the administering agencies of the Florida Park Service: the Department of Natural Resources, the Division of Recreation and Parks, and the Department of Environmental Protection, listed chronologically. The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund Record Group follows since the records document the finances of the state parks. The remaining record groups contain a series that pertain to the Florida Park Service or an individual park and are arranged alphabetically. All pertinent series within a record group are listed under the creating agency.
Department of Natural Resources Record Group (RG000500)
Created in 1969, the Department of Natural Resources resulted from the combination of functions of the State Board of Conservation; the Canal Authority; the Commission on Marine Sciences and Technology; the Florida Keys Aqueduct Commission; the Board of Parks and Historic Memorials; the Outdoor Recreational Development Council; the Board of Drainage Commissioners; and the Suwannee River Development Authority. The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund was incorporated into the Department of Natural Resources in 1975. The Department merged with the Department of Environmental Regulation to form the Department of Environmental Protection in 1993.
Division of Recreation and Parks Record Group (RG 000510)
Created in 1969, the Division of Recreation and Parks, a division of the Department of Natural Resources, assumed the duties of the Board of Historic Parks and Memorials and the Outdoor Recreational Development. With its mission to "provide resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting and restoring natural and cultural resources," the Division regulates all parks and recreational areas held by the state.
Department of Environmental Protection Record Group (RG 000550)
Created by the Florida Environmental Reorganization Act of 1993, the Department of Environmental Protection formed from the merging of the Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Regulation. With the mission to protect, conserve, and manage Florida's environment and natural resources, the Department's responsibilities include management and protection of Florida's marine resources, including endangered species and their habitats; protection, restoration, and management of environmentally important lands and their ecosystems; parks and recreation; water management; and pollution control and environmental protection. Commissions and offices under the Department’s management include the Environmental Regulation Commission; Marine Fisheries Commission; Office of Ecosystem Management; Division of Air Resources Management; Division of Law Enforcement; Division of Marine Resources; Division of Recreation and Parks; Division of Environmental Resource Permitting; Division of State Lands; Division of Water Management; and Division of Water Facilities.
Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund (RG000593)
To manage the transfer of public lands to state ownership upon Florida becoming a state, the General Assembly of 1850 created the Internal Improvement Board. In 1854, Chapter Law 610 created the Internal Improvement Fund and the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. They were created to control the funds already accumulated and any future funds resulting from sales. The Trustees were given the power to transfer and sell lands; to collect revenues from railroad companies; to approve the building of railroads, bridges, and canals; and to invest surplus monies in United States stocks, stocks of other states, or internal improvement bonds.
The Trustees took control of the State Land Office from the Commissioner of Agriculture with the passage of Chapter Law 1963-294. The Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund became the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund with the passage of Chapter Law 1969-106. In 1975, the powers and duties of the Board concerning state lands were transferred to the Department of Natural Resources and its Division of State Lands with the passage of Chapter Law 1975-22 and Chapter Law 1979-255, respectively.
The Trustees took control of the State Land Office from the Commissioner of Agriculture with the passage of Chapter Law 1963-294. The Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund became the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund with the passage of Chapter Law 1969-106. In 1975, the powers and duties of the Board concerning state lands were transferred to the Department of Natural Resources and its Division of State Lands with the passage of Chapter Law 1975-22 and Chapter Law 1979-255, respectively.
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Record Group (RG000200)
Formed in 1889, the Department of Agriculture was headed by the Commissioner of Agriculture, formerly the Commissioner of Lands and Immigration. Reorganized in 1959, the Department of Agriculture performed most agricultural regulating and inspecting; made recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature on the needs of agriculture in the state; set license and inspection fees; administered the dairy, plant, and animal industries of the state; inspected fertilizers, feeds, seeds, petroleum products, and pesticides; and collected and distributed information on agriculture. With the reorganization of state government in 1969, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services formed from the merger of the existing Department, the Florida Consumers' Council, the Office of Consumer Services, the Florida Board of Forestry, the State Soil and Water Conservation Board, the Board of Commissioners of the Everglades Fire Control District, and various technical and advisory councils and committees.
Department of State, Division of Historical Resources Record Group (RG000155)
Created in 1986, the Division of Historical Resources assumed some of the functions of the Division of Archives, History, and Records Management. Mandated to preserve and protect Florida's history, the Division includes the Bureau of Historic Preservation, the Bureau of Archaeological Research, the Museum of Florida History, and the Florida Folklife programs. The Bureaus of Historic Preservation and Archaeological Research assist in protecting and documenting the state's historic buildings, properties, and archaeological sites. The Museum of Florida History preserves, exhibits, and interprets artifacts.
University of Florida Record Group (RG000452)
In 1851, the Florida Legislature passed a bill authorizing the establishment of two seminaries to instruct men and women in "teaching...mechanic arts, in husbandry and agricultural chemistry" and other "arts which ennoble man and make him truly independent." In 1853, the East Florida Seminary opened in Ocala but moved to Gainesville in 1866 following the Civil War. The state legislature established the Florida Agricultural College, which opened its doors in Lake City in 1884, in accordance with the Morrill Act of 1862. Under the Hatch Act of 1887, Florida established its Agricultural Experiment Station at the Florida Agricultural College.
The Buckman Act of 1905 abolished the existing state supported schools and created four schools, including the University of the State of Florida. After Lake City and Gainesville fought over the new University, the Agricultural College and Agricultural Experiment Station moved to Gainesville and merged with the East Florida Seminary to form the new University. Its name eventually was changed to the University of Florida.
The Buckman Act of 1905 abolished the existing state supported schools and created four schools, including the University of the State of Florida. After Lake City and Gainesville fought over the new University, the Agricultural College and Agricultural Experiment Station moved to Gainesville and merged with the East Florida Seminary to form the new University. Its name eventually was changed to the University of Florida.