Programs & Events

The Museum offers a number of recurring programs throughout the year

Monthly Programs

2nd Saturday Family Programs

Join us on the 2nd Saturday of each month for a specially themed program featuring a hands-on activity for young historians. While the Museum is closed, we will be taking 2nd Saturday on the road, with programming in various locations held in conjunction with our community partners. Follow us on social media for the latest location, subjects, and more.

Upcoming Programs:

February 8, 2025 | 2nd Saturday: Fact or Fiction? Pirates in Florida

11 a.m. to Noon

The Grove Museum
902 N. Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida

Pirate festivals and attractions can be found in many Florida cities, but how many of them are based on real pirates from history? Climb aboard and set sail as we discover Florida's pirate history! Test your knowledge to see which pirate tales are true, and which tales come from the magic of movies. Children will create a pirate hand puppet.

March 8, 2025 | 2nd Saturday: Deep Dive into Archaeology

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Grove Museum
902 N. Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida

In celebration of Florida Archaeology Month, we will take a deep dive into the vast world of Florida's underwater archaeology, from shipwrecks to submerged sites. Learn about the challenging work of underwater archaeologists and how they help uncover the past. Children will compare how artifacts change when exposed to different environments such as dry dirt, salt water, and freshwater. This special extended 2nd Saturday program is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in conjunction with Grove Day.

Each free program (except March 8) runs from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is designed for children ages 4 to 8 and their families.

________________________________________________________________

History at High Noon Programs

The Museum features casual monthly lunchtime talks by local experts on a variety of topics. Please note the location of each lecture as the presentation site may change from month to month.

Upcoming Programs:

February 25, 2025 | Preserving History at the Meek-Eaton Black Archives

Noon to 12:45 p.m.

Mission San Luis
2100 W. Tennessee Street
Tallahassee, Florida

Timothy A. Barber, Director of Museum Operations for the Meek-Eaton Black Archives Research Center and Museum at Florida A&M University, shares the story of this significant Archive, its diverse collections, and its crucial role in preserving Black American history. This presentation will emphasize the importance of safeguarding primary source materials to ensure the continuity and accuracy of historical narratives for future generations.

These programs are free and open to the public.

________________________________________________________________

Annual Programs

20th of May— Emancipation in Florida

The Knott House Museum and the John G. Riley Museum host an annual celebration of the 20th of May. Learn more about this event and other community activities here.

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing enslaved people in the rebelling Southern states. More than two years later, on May 10, 1865, Union General Edward McCook arrived in Tallahassee to take possession of the city from Southern forces. General McCook established his headquarters at the Hagner House, now known as the Knott House. On May 20, he declared the Emancipation Proclamation in effect. Formerly enslaved people celebrated this announcement with a picnic at Bull Pond, today's Lake Ella. Annually since 1865, communities in Tallahassee have celebrated May 20th as Emancipation Day.

Florida History Day

Sponsored by the Museum of Florida History, Florida History Day is an annual, statewide activity that enhances the teaching and learning of history in middle and high schools. Florida joins 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and international schools in East and South Asia as an affiliate of National History Day^®(NHD). NHD promotes history in the classroom by offering students the resources and support to do original research about people, ideas, and events of the past. Learn more about Florida History Day here.