Restored to its 1902 appearance in 1978-1982, the Old State Capitol building still retains at its core the original 1845 brick building. The Florida Secession Convention convened at this

location and, on January 10, 1861, voted to secede from the Union.

As Florida's Civil War capitol, Governor John Milton maintained his office at this site, and the building saw service as soldiers'

quarters and an armory. On May 20, 1865, Union Brigadier General Edward McCook's forces formally raised the United States flag over the Florida Capitol building, signifying Florida's official surrender.

A new capitol building was built in the 1970s, and the restored Old State Capitol building opened in 1982 as a museum. It is now home to the Florida Legislative Research Center and Museum. Exhibits feature images, documents and military artifacts from the Civil War including an 1863 Union mountain howitzer with a gun carriage, and a replica of the flag believed to have been raised at the Capitol by General McCook.

In 1881, a monument to Leon County Confederate soldiers was erected on the west side of the Capitol by a group of local women. In 1923 the monument was moved to its present location at the building's northeast corner.

www.flhistoriccapitol.gov

Information Provided by the Florida Department of State.