Welcome to Florida Memory

Harmful Content Statement

The State Archives of Florida contains records of more than 400 years of our state’s written history. These historical records contain language, subjects, or images which researchers may find difficult or uncomfortable to engage with. Examples include violence, historic and historical injustices, or disrespectful caricatures of ethnicities and cultures. Even when their content is potentially harmful, the records held by the State Archives of Florida offer insight into our diverse heritage and history. This information is unique and irreplaceable, and it is essential to ensuring the rights of citizens and to understanding the responsibilities and limitations of government. With the exception of applicable exemptions to Florida’s public records law, we do not limit or restrict access to any material in our collections.

The State Archives of Florida places special emphasis on making its collections available to a wide variety of researchers on equal terms of access, especially online through the Florida Memory program. In cases where Florida Memory presents historic imagery which depicts acts of violence, severe bodily harm, or profound inhumanity, we offer researchers the choice to view such materials. Our user experience is otherwise unmediated, and we encourage our researchers to exercise appropriate discretion when viewing the historical records on Florida Memory.