Florida Memory is administered by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, Bureau of Archives and Records Management. The digitized records on Florida Memory come from the collections of the State Archives of Florida and the special collections of the State Library of Florida.
State Archives of Florida
- ArchivesFlorida.com
- State Archives Online Catalog
- ArchivesFlorida.com
- ArchivesFlorida.com
State Library of Florida
Related Sites
Listen: The Bluegrass & Old-Time ProgramAsian Pacific American Heritage Month
Resources From the State Library and Archives of Florida
The month of May was chosen as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843 and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.
Explore a few examples of Florida’s Asian Pacific American history and culture.
Florida Photographic Collection
Lue Gim Gong
Lue Gim Gong, born in China, became an American citizen in 1877. In 1911, the American Pomological Society awarded him the Silver Wilder Medal for his work in developing citrus. Lue Gim Gong was recognized as a Great Floridian for his significant contributions to the history and culture of Florida.
Yamato Colony
Yamato Colony was a farming community in South Florida founded by Japanese immigrant Jo Sakai in 1905.
Blog Posts
Temari
Temari is the traditional Japanese art of decorating spheres by winding and lacing colored threads in intricate patterns around a ball.
Audio
Ann Yao
Ann Yao plays the guzheng, an ancient Chinese plucked string instrument.
East and Southeast Asian Music
Listen to a wide variety of musical traditions from China, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Music and Interviews
Listen to recordings from the Folklife Collection.
Spring Song - Toshiko Mishima & Shizue Baba (Download)
Recorded: May 3, 1958 by Foster Barnes (Stephen Foster Center)
1958 Florida Folk Festival
White Springs, Florida
(S 1576, reel T77-73)
Lotus - Ann Yao (Download)
Recorded: May 22, 1992 by the Florida Folklife Program
1992 Florida Folk Festival
White Springs, Florida
(S 1576, reel T92-7)
Vietnamese Folk Song - Pham Duy (Download)
Recorded: May 6, 1966 by the Stephen Foster Center
1966 Florida Folk Festival
White Springs, Florida
(S 1576, reel T77-158)
Interview with Japanese flower arranger Atsuko Lefcourte (Download)
Recorded: August 23, 1986 by Jan Rosenberg (Florida Folklife Program)
Palm Beach County Folk Arts in Education Project
West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida
(S1685, box 6, tape 6)
In this interview, Atsuko Lefcourte discusses Japanese flower arranging, which was part of the ancient tea ceremony.
Interview with Japanese flower arranger Atsuko Lefcourte, selection two (Download)
Recorded: August 23, 1986 by Jan Rosenberg (Florida Folklife Program)
Palm Beach County Folk Arts in Education Project
West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida
(S1685, box 6, tape 6)
In this interview, Atsuko Lefcourte discusses Japanese flower arranging, which was part of the ancient tea ceremony.
Interview with Japanese flower arranger Atsuko Lefcourte, selection three (Download)
Recorded: August 23, 1986 by Jan Rosenberg (Florida Folklife Program)
Palm Beach County Folk Arts in Education Project
West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida
(S1685, box 6, tape 6)
In this interview, Atsuko Lefcourte discusses Japanese flower arranging, which was part of the ancient tea ceremony.
Additional Resources at the State Library and Archives
The State Library and Archives of Florida is located on the second floor of the R.A. Gray Building at 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399 (two blocks west of the State Capitol). Our public research facilities are open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on state holidays.
Researchers are encouraged to check with the State Library and Archives to verify operating hours and records availability prior to visiting. An online map is available.
Additional Resources at Your Library
If you need additional assistance locating information for your research, talk to a librarian at your school or public library or use the Ask a Librarian service. A librarian can help you locate primary and secondary resources that may not be retrieved using search engines such as Google.
Lue Gim Gong
Features
Territorial Legislative Council Records, 1822-1845
Documenting Florida's legislature prior to statehood
State and County Officer Directories, 1868-1969
Lists of Florida's state and county officials either elected or appointed between 1868 and 1969.
Guide to Military Records and the Wartime Experience
A guide to government records and manuscript collections relating to service members and the wartime experience.
Dust Tracks
21 tracks from Hurston's time documenting African American culture for the WPA in 1930s Florida.
History Day 2025
Resources for Florida History Day from the State Library and Archives of Florida.