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.
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Listen: The Latin ProgramPhoto Exhibits
Photo exhibits spotlight various topics in Florida history, and are accompanied by brief text intended to place selected materials in historical context.
Claude Roy Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011)
Claude R. Kirk, Jr., was born in San Bernardino, California, January 7, 1926. As a boy his family moved first to Chicago, then to Alabama. In 1943, at the height of World War II, Governor Kirk graduated high school in Montgomery, Alabama, and enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 17. He received officer training at Emory and Duke Universities and received a commission as a second lieutenant. Governor Kirk received a B.S. degree from Emory University in 1945 and ended his first tenure in the Marines in 1946. However, he returned to the Marines to fight again as an infantry leader and fire control spotter during the Korean War.
Governor Claude Kirk standing with his mother on inauguration day: Tallahassee, Florida (January 3, 1967)
Image number: DC070026
Florida's 36th Governor Claude Kirk and his future wife Erika Mattfeld talking at the inaugural ball: Tallahassee, Florida (January 3, 1967)
Image number: C0650137
Portrait of Governor Claude Kirk: Tallahassee, Florida (1967)
Image number: DC070049
Portrait from Governor and Mrs. Claude Kirk's marriage: Palm Beach, Florida (February 18, 1967)
Image number: GV14155
Governor and Mrs. Claude R. Kirk on the Mike Douglas show (1967)
Image number: C65000-61
Governor Claude Kirk sitting with Florida delegates at the 1968 Republican National Convention: Miami Beach, Florida (August 1968)
Image number: GOV0095
Governor Kirk being filmed with CBS news anchor Mike Wallace and an unidentified woman in convention hall: Miami Beach, Florida (August 2, 1968)
Image number: C800000-125
In 1949, Governor Kirk received a law degree from the University of Alabama and began selling building supplies and insurance before he co-founded the American Heritage Life Insurance Company in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1956. He continued his successful business over the next several years before running for statewide office.
In 1967, at the age of 41, he became the first Republican Governor of Florida since 1872. Having campaigned promising no new taxes, Governor Kirk pledged to run the state government like a business in order to help attract new business and industry to the state. As governor, he resisted the efforts of teachers to conduct a statewide walkout and opposed the court-ordered forced busing program. Although often at odds with the Democrat-led legislature, Governor Kirk had significant accomplishments in the area of conservation by creating the Water Pollution Control Commission, organizing a statewide wilderness system, and halting the Cross Florida Barge Canal project. During his four-year term, Governor Kirk also achieved approval of a new constitution, which replaced the archaic document in place since 1885. Governor Kirk vigorously pursued organized crime and corruption in the state, utilizing private investigators in order to circumvent corrupt officials and establishing the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Portrait of Governor Claude Kirk during his informal press conference aboard a yacht: Miami, Florida (August 1968)
Image number: GOV0004
Governor Claude Kirk holding his newborn daughter Claudia: Palm Beach, Florida (August 21, 1968)
Image number: C65000-43
Scene from the christening of Governor Claude Kirk's daughter Claudia: Palm Beach, Florida (December 29, 1968)
Image number: C65000-21
Jason Scott Turner receiving treats from Governor Claude Kirk during a Halloween party at the Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee, Florida (1968 or 1969)
Image number: PR76395
Governor Claude Kirk throwing out the first ball for a baseball game: Fort Myers, Florida (1969)
Image number: C65000-59
Shown after a baseball luncheon with the Kansas City Royals and Montreal Expos.
Florida Governor-elect Reubin Askew listens to Florida Governor Claude Kirk (December 8, 1970)
Image number: PT00562
Governor Claude Kirk (left) passes on a humorous comment to governor-elect Reubin Askew during the morning cabinet meeting. Askew joined Kirk at the cabinet table to get the feel of presiding over the state board. It was Askew's first visit to the cabinet since he was elected governor.
Florida Governor Kirk and Governor-elect Askew mounting the steps of the Capitol (January 5, 1971)
Image number: PR76370
This was the last time top hats and tails were worn for Inauguration.
Former Governor Claude Kirk holds up a chicken to emphasize a point: Tallahassee, Florida (1977)
Image number: MF0091
Accompanying note "Former Governor Claude Kirk, up to his old tricks, holds a dead chicken aloft during a speech before a Tallahassee group. Kirk is protesting what he terms chicken government. Kirk says, "You can't sit around and let government run the world or we'll all wind up like plucked chickens."
While Governor, he married Erika Mattfeld, a native of Germany and a mother of one daughter, Adriana. Governor Kirk was married previously to Sarah Stokes with whom he had two daughters, Sarah and Katherine, and twin sons, William and Frank. Governor Kirk and the first lady went on to have two more children, Claudia and Erik Henry.
Governor Claude Kirk Inauguration (1967)
Item Number: CA215
This film starts with Governor Claude Kirk taking the oath of office and giving his inaugural speech. The film is at times soft and slightly out of focus.
Governor Claude Kirk Wedding Pageantry (1967)
Item Number: RW#17
Shimmering lounge music accompanies scenes from Governor Claude Kirk's wedding celebration. There is footage of Governor Kirk and his wife Erika at their pre-wedding dinner party, arriving at the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea for the ceremony, and their wedding reception at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach. President Richard Nixon is among those in attendance. Produced by the Florida Development Commission.
Governor Claude Kirk introduces the film North Miami Beach: Gateway to Interama (1964)
Item Number: CA065
Governor Claude Kirk introduces this film about North Miami Beach. Viewers see the environment and life in this area, including places of worship, schools, hospitals, banks, the library and neighborhoods. There are exteriors of Studio City and Capital Film Labs. The film shows horse racing at Gulfstream Park, community swimming pools marinas, and beaches. There are scenes of the Orange Bowl, Miss USA contest, Miss Universe contest, Monkey Jungle, Parrot Jungle and Miami Seaquarium. Produced by Don Parisher; sponsored by the North Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce.
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.