Alvan Wentworth Chapman was born #OTD in 1809. The American physician and botanist wrote the landmark guide “Flora of the Southern United States.” Dr. Chapman graduated from Amherst College in Massachusetts and settled in Apalachicola, Florida. He spent decades exploring the southeastern wilderness and his 1860 reference book served as the standard botanical manual for nearly half a century. Learn more about Dr. Chapman, and the home he built in Apalachicola on this Division of Historical Resources webpage: markers.flheritage.com/home/…

On #MapMonday, let’s view these maps of Jacksonville (@CityofJax) and Duval County. Dated around 1887, 1906, and 1921. @FLMemory

Lake Griffin State Park has a long history shaped by the people and landscapes of Central Florida. By the late 1800s, settlers arrived and the land was used for farming, citrus and even a turpentine still in the early 1900s. The state began purchasing the property in 1946 under the Murphy Lands Act, eventually adding more acreage and receiving a small donation from the City of Fruitland Park. Work on this @FLStateParks facility started in 1961, and Lake Griffin State Park officially opened to the public in 1963. Plan your adventure at FloridaStateParks.org. Before you visit, check the KNOW BEFORE YOU GO section on the park’s webpage for real-time updates and helpful information.

The first Florida driver licensing law, enacted back in 1939, required everyone wishing to obtain a license to fill out an application and pay a fee. This is an early license issued from the then Department of Public Safety that is part of FLHSMV today. @America250FL #TBT

FYI September is #HappyCatMonth! It’s an annual celebration to promote the health and well-being of pet cats. Here are four photos of adorable Floridian felines, some with their owners of years past from our collection. @FLMemory

#HBD to singer, songwriter, and pianist Ray Charles. He attended the State School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine and went on to become one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. A pioneer of the soul music genre, “The Genius” would be 96 today.

Be Election Ready! General Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. #DYK it is illegal to film or photograph the polling place? Florida laws allow voters to take pictures of their ballot – and only their ballot – in the voting booth. No ballot selfies allowed! To learn more about elections in Florida visit our Division of Elections FAQ page here: dos.fl.gov/elections/contact…

It’s #NationalIceCreamCone day! View these these photos of Floridians enjoying ice cream cones. And learn more about ice cream with this book from our collection. @FLMemory

FYI, fall begins today. Here are some photos of the season and an autumn related book to celebrate. @FLMemory

It’s #TourismTuesday and we’re traveling to Lake County to the city of Eustis. Once a frontier settlement, the city also was once the largest producer of oranges in the world. It’s also home to Georgefest, the longest running celebration of the nation’s first president.

On #MapMonday, we’re viewing this map of St. Augustine. This is a geographic area view of the city and shows the locations of buildings. The map was created by Thomas Jefferys and published in 1769. @FLMemory

Floridians from all walks of life, both military personnel and civilians, provided tremendous aid during World War II. One unique way civilians gave back was by joining the Aircraft Warning Service, a series of nearly 900 elevated structures which alerted the US Army Air Corps to any adversarial aircraft. In December 1943, civilian spotters correctly identified a previously captured German JU-88 bomber over West Palm Beach. Learn more about this remarkable program here floridamemory.com/items/show…. Photo Credit: - State Archives of Florida, @FLMemory

Pensacola Junior College opened its doors #OTD in 1948. As the first public Junior College created by the Florida Legislature, the initial class had 136 students. Today, @PensacolaState College, whose name changed in 2010, serves nearly 10,000 students seeking an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree. Learn more by reading the historical marker here, markers.flheritage.com/home/…

Happy #NationalGrandparentsDay! Here are four photographs of Florida grandparents and their grandchildren from our collection. @FLMemory

Twenty-five years later, we remember the lives lost on 9/11. Today, we honor the courage of the first responders and emergency personnel, including those from Florida, who immediately deployed to Ground Zero risking their own lives to help when America needed them most. Photo: Members of the Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, @MiamiDadeFire, prepare to enter Ground Zero, FEMA News Photo (FEMA Photo by Michael Rieger/Released)

On #TourismThursday, we’ll venture to the city of Winter Park in Orange County. The affluent city’s known for upscale shopping districts, elegant restaurants, art museums, and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities in its many parks and lakes.

It’s #NationalTeddyBearDay. View these adorable pictures of children holding their teddy bears from our collection. @FLMemory

#FYI the State Library is closed for Labor Day. We’ll reopen tomorrow from 9am to 4:30pm. In the meantime, here are four #BooksAbout Labor Day.

It’s #NationalReadABookMonth. View these photos of Floridians from years past reading. @FLMemory Search the State Library’s catalog for books you can check out here: fslt.ent.sirsi.net/client/en…

It’s #NationalCheesePizzaDay! Here are photographs of Floridians from years past enjoying pizza. @FLMemory