Secretary Byrd promotes Florida Archaeology Month 2025, featuring advanced tools and techniques in archaeology
Tallahassee, Florida – As Florida approaches its annual celebration of its rich archaeological heritage, Secretary of State Cord Byrd has officially announced a series of exciting events to mark Florida Archaeology Month 2025. Celebrated each March, Florida Archaeology Month showcases the state’s vibrant history and the critical role archaeology plays in preserving and understanding it. This year, the festivities will focus on the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) in modern archaeological practices, specifically highlighting the use of advanced tools and innovative techniques in the field and laboratory.
Secretary Byrd expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming events, stating, “The science of archaeology requires expertise with a wide range of tools, not just trowels and shovels, but also sophisticated geophysical and other remote-sensing techniques, as well as spatial data science and computer mapping.” Byrd emphasized that this year’s celebration would take participants “beyond the trowel” to see firsthand how modern technology and STEM disciplines are transforming the study of Florida’s past.
The Department of State is gearing up to celebrate Florida Archaeology Month with a packed schedule of public programs that will run throughout March. These events promise to engage residents and visitors of all ages, offering everything from family-friendly activities and educational lectures to hands-on demonstrations of the latest archaeological technologies.
One of the key events is the 8th annual Grove Day at The Grove Museum in Tallahassee, scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2025. This event will offer an exciting lineup of activities for the whole family, including field demonstrations by archaeologists from the Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research. Attendees will get the chance to see Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) equipment in action, allowing them to explore the sophisticated techniques used to locate and study artifacts and buried structures without disturbing the ground. Visitors will also enjoy interactive site tours that focus on the scientific methods archaeologists use to uncover Florida’s rich history. For a more relaxed experience, there will be musical performances, outdoor games, and food trucks, making Grove Day a perfect outing for families. The event is free and open to the public, running from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
In addition to Grove Day, another exciting highlight will take place on Tuesday, March 11, when Jerry Lee, Senior Archaeologist with the Bureau of Archaeological Research, presents at the monthly meeting of the Panhandle Archaeological Society at Tallahassee (PAST). Lee, who has been working at the historic Mission San Luis site for over three decades, will discuss his extensive research on the Spanish mission town. His talk will delve into the large Native structure located west of the council house, believed to be the residence of the mission’s chief. This presentation, which begins at 7:00 p.m. following a 6:30 p.m. reception, promises to offer valuable insights into the intersection of Native American and European cultures during Florida’s colonial period. The event will be held at the Jubilee Cottage at Goodwood Museum and Gardens in Tallahassee.
Another notable event is scheduled for Thursday, March 13, when Austin Bell, Chief Curator with the Museum of Florida History, will give a presentation about the famous Key Marco Cat. Discovered in 1896 by the legendary anthropologist Frank Hamilton Cushing, the Key Marco Cat is a small wooden carving that has become an icon of Florida’s history. Bell’s talk, “The Nine Lives of Florida’s Famous Key Marco Cat,” explores the journey of this remarkable artifact from its creation by the Calusa people to its eventual journey to the Smithsonian Institution. Bell’s book on the subject, which won the 2021 Florida Book Award for Nonfiction, will provide a fascinating look at the cat’s role in Florida’s cultural legacy. The presentation will take place at 5:30 p.m. at Mission San Luis in Tallahassee.
For families looking to engage with archaeology in a hands-on way, Mission San Luis will host Archaeology at Mission San Luis on Wednesday, March 19. This event is part of the Homeschool Days series, and it will provide young students with the opportunity to explore the tools and techniques that archaeologists use to study past cultures. The event is designed to be both fun and educational, offering activities that will bring the field of archaeology to life for children. All activities during Homeschool Days are included with normal site admission.
On Saturday, March 22, Mission San Luis will celebrate Florida Archaeology Month with its annual Free Day event. From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., visitors can enjoy a day filled with family-friendly crafts, living history demonstrations, and interactive exhibits. The Bureau of Archaeological Research will also have a display on-site, highlighting its ongoing work to preserve and study Florida’s archaeological sites. Guests are encouraged to explore the historic grounds and interact with knowledgeable interpreters to learn more about the history of Mission San Luis and its significance in Florida’s past. Food vendors will be available, offering a range of refreshments for visitors to enjoy while they explore the event.
On Tuesday, March 25, Florida’s rich history of dugout canoes will take center stage. Amy Socha, Senior Archaeologist with the Bureau of Archaeological Research, will give a special presentation about Florida’s pre-contact dugout canoes. Socha will explore the scientific methods used to discover and study these ancient watercraft, including the use of carbon dating techniques and other innovative scientific approaches. The talk will also highlight recent discoveries and their implications for our understanding of Florida’s early history. The presentation will take place at noon at Mission San Luis and is free and open to the public.
Throughout the entire month of March, the Bureau of Archaeological Research will feature several ongoing exhibits that offer visitors the chance to view artifacts from Florida’s past. From March 1 to March 31, artifacts curated and conserved by the Bureau will be on display at various museums across the state. These artifacts, which range from prehistoric tools to colonial-era objects, have been meticulously preserved using cutting-edge scientific techniques in the Bureau’s Conservation Laboratory.
In Tallahassee, visitors can explore the Union Bank Museum, Florida’s oldest surviving bank building, which will feature a selection of artifacts on loan from the Bureau of Archaeological Research. These items, including British transferware plates, offer a glimpse into the history of Florida’s colonial and territorial periods. The exhibits will be open to the public throughout the month.
Mission San Luis will also showcase decades of archaeological research in its Visitor Center Gallery. Exhibits will include artifacts that have informed the site’s reconstruction and its interpretation as a living history museum. Similarly, The Grove Museum will display artifacts from excavations on-site, giving visitors a closer look at the archaeological work that has helped shape our understanding of Florida’s past.
Secretary Byrd’s announcement underscores the importance of Florida Archaeology Month as an opportunity for the public to engage with the state’s history and culture. “Archaeology provides us with a window into Florida’s past, and these events give the public the chance to see firsthand how modern science and technology are helping us uncover new insights,” Byrd said.
With so many exciting events planned, Florida Archaeology Month 2025 promises to be an informative and engaging celebration of the state’s rich archaeological heritage. From hands-on demonstrations to informative talks by experts in the field, the month-long celebration offers something for everyone, from families with young children to history buffs and archaeology enthusiasts.
For more information about Florida Archaeology Month 2025 and a complete list of events, visit FLHeritage.com/ArchaeologyMonth2025. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this statewide celebration of Florida’s history and heritage.
