TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A popular field trip destination in downtown Tallahassee will likely be closed for at least six years before welcoming back the public.
The Museum of Florida History closed in 2022 as crews worked on the plaza of the R.A. Gray building off South Bronough Street.
Since 1977, the museum has been housed underneath that plaza in the basement of the building, which is also home to the Florida Department of State.
DOS staff said the plaza was leaking and needed to be repaired. Official guidance indicated the museum would reopen following construction, which is set to wrap up sometime in 2026.
Most of the public messaging has focused on needed repairs, wrapping up in 2026. But the free museum won’t be open right away.(WCTV)
But one local father had some questions and uncovered a slightly more detailed timeline, one that pushes any museum reopening to 2028 or later.
Ethan Ream lives in Woodville with his two young kids. He’s been a history lover for as long as he can remember. He has pictures that show him checking out the Museum of Florida History as a kid.
Most of the public messaging has focused on needed repairs, wrapping up in 2026. But the free museum won’t be open right away.(Ethan Ream)
“I’ve been going to this museum since I was probably a newborn,” Ream said. “The mastodon always amazed me.”
But now Ream wonders when his children will get that chance to explore.
He started poking around, talking to employees who work for the Division of Historical Resources, the part of DOS that oversees the museum.
“And then that employee mentioned that it probably, the museum, won’t reopen until 2028 or 2029,″ he said.
Ream recalled his disbelief upon learning that. He then took his questions to an August meeting of the Florida Historical Commission.
He asked why the museum had to be closed for an additional two to three years following the plaza construction.
State Historic Preservation Officer Alissa Lotane said she wanted “to open it up as soon as possible,” but walked him through the logistical challenges facing the museum.
In an email to Ream sent after the meeting, she explained the timeline further. The staff hopes to renovate the museum, but can’t do that until construction is complete.
“The earliest we could award a contract to an architect or museum consultant for the design would likely be December 2025 – January 2026. Staff would work with the contractor on artifacts to display and all the text would be reviewed at multiple levels to ensure accuracy. The architect/consultant would design the project, hopefully having 100% construction documents by July 1, 2027, but it could take longer. By then we hope the museum is no longer leaking, and we can start the buildout.”
Lotane said the entire museum needs new “wiring, lighting, and communications.”
She hinted that the prehistoric galleries could open in 2028, but expected “the rest of the buildout and installation to be completed in 2029.”
Lotane also explained they’ve requested $15 million in state funds to fuel renovations, but weren’t successful in securing the funding in 2025. They’ll try again in 2026.
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Ream said he understands the need for repairs. But he hopes they can rethink launching a full-scale renovation. He suggests a staggered approach, slowly incorporating changes and allowing the public back in sooner.
“The community really does miss the museum…it is a very important aspect of our community. It tells our history.”
WCTV asked a Department of State spokesperson to confirm the timeline laid out by Lotane.
In response, the DOS said, “We know how much the museum means to Florida citizens and are working hard to accelerate construction as much as possible. Our goal is to create the best possible experience for visitors, and we will provide updates as available.”
They also outlined ways families can explore the past during the closure.
“During closure, Division of Historical Resources, created the “Museum on the Move” program, intended to bring Museum of Florida History programs out into the community. Programs include 2nd Saturday Family Programs, featuring hands-on activities for young historians and History at High Noon, a monthly lecture series. We continue to offer exhibits on the 22nd Floor of the Capitol, the Grove Museum, and Mission San Luis that are educational and family friendly.”
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