Doug Alderson
After months of preparation (see March 12 blog “An Artistic Representation of Florida’s First Capitol Building”), sounds of hammers and saws could be heard in Cascades Park as an army of volunteers set to work on building a replica of Florida’s first log cabin capitol building. The formal groundbreaking ceremony was held June 22, 2024. Hosted by Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey, city, county, and legislative leaders spoke along with Secretary of State Cord Byrd.
A special guest was Mark Carpenter, a descendent of early Tallahassee pioneer Sherrod McCall who worked on the first capitol building in 1824! Mr. Carpenter owns a 600-plus-acre longleaf pine forest and selectively harvested and milled longleaf pines for the project, all on a donation basis. Mark presented a rustic longleaf pine table he built with old style cut nails for use in the cabin, similar to furniture likely used in the first capitol building. “I heard there is about one percent of native longleaf forest left in the Southeast when it used to be the predominant forest, so I take real good care of it,” he said. “And when it comes time to cut a tree, I spend all day looking for maybe three or four trees because I use best management practices, looking for trees that are too close together because they like to be spaced out. I would cut trees to thin them out. So, every tree that was used for the First Florida Capitol has been for the benefit of the forest as a whole. I’ve had a lot of fun doing it. … And when you get people, especially children, interested in Florida’s history, you get them interested in Florida’s environment, and that’s so important. We only have so much green space left.”
Mark promised to put the names of all the people who volunteered with the project on the back of a board that’s going in the cabin because from 1824, there are only two names in historical records, Judge Jonathan Robinson and Sherrod McCall, who helped to build the original cabin, even though many people helped, especially enslaved workers.
After the groundbreaking, many of the speakers pitched in to join other volunteers in building the cabin’s floor joist until 100-degree temperatures thinned out the work group. Everything was masterfully coordinated by Big Bend Habitat for Humanity, headed by Executive Director Antoine Wright. Fortunately, storage of materials and some of the prep work could be done in a large ground-level commercial space beneath the AC Marriot Hotel, the owners having graciously allowed for the room to be used for the summer, delaying their own planned project for the space.
For several months, initially on Saturday mornings and then during weekday evenings, more than 200 volunteers built the cabin from the ground up, following approved architectural plans created by Mark Tarmey, an architect who specializes in restoring vintage buildings. The walls were built with two-by-six studs and the trusses with two-by-twelve beams. It is no surprise the cabin survived winds from two summer hurricanes! “I didn’t want the cabin to end up in the middle of South Monroe Street after a big storm,” said Mark with a smile.
Log siding was attached to the outside walls, purchased from Homestead Timbers of Michigan, while longleaf pine boards donated by Mark Carpenter covered the interior walls, ceiling and floor. A porch was built with a commanding view of Cascades Park to the east. Wooden shutters on hinges were built for the three window openings and a solid wooden door was built and attached. As the days became shorter, sometimes crews worked into the night using headlamps. Some volunteers were new to construction work while others, such as those with the Tallahassee Builders Association, provided invaluable expertise. All were welcomed in a true community effort.
When the cabin was nearly finished, a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Capitol Build Project occurred on Friday, October 4. “This project is a tribute to history and a testament to the dedication and passion of our community today,” said Mayor Dailey. “This ambitious endeavor has brought together volunteers, all united in their love for Tallahassee.”
A special effort was made to acknowledge those Native Americans who were displaced and those who were enslaved during the territorial period. “Some were enslaved, some were free, others were forced to relocate out of this area, and on and on,” said Leon County Commission Chair Carolyn Cummings. “This replica is a strong reminder of how far we have come and an even stronger reminder of the symbol of the foundation of our city, the foundation of our county, and the foundation of the state of Florida.”
Mayor Dailey added, “Let us not forget, and let us uphold and celebrate and honor the indigenous people that have lived in the red hills of north Florida for thousands of years. As we have come together as a free people in the twenty-first century to build a replica of the first Florida capitol, let us not forget and let us honor and uphold and remember the enslaved people that played a significant role in the construction of the first Florida capitol two hundred years ago as well.”
Afterwards, volunteer docents were organized for weekend tours for the public and weekday tours for Leon County 4th graders. But the big celebration was yet to come!
To commemorate the log cabin capitol and the 200th anniversary of Tallahassee’s first territorial legislative session, a November 9-10 “Bicentennial Weekend Spectacular” was organized. Visit Tallahassee spearheaded the November 9th event that featured speakers and panel discussions about civil rights champions, genealogical research, Native American legacies, Hispanic heritage and the role of faith in shaping our city and county. A free breakfast and lunch was provided by Conexion Media Group, Lively Technical College and Argonaut Coffee. Volunteers from Florida State University and the Junior League of Tallahassee assisted with the entire event. Spirited Hispanic dancing, a special Tallahassee song performed by the Adventures in Florida Musical group, and a heritage walk through Cascades Park rounded out the festivities.
“This was an unforgettable weekend,” said Bicentennial Coordinator Vel Johnson. “Our goal on Saturday was to create a platform that would honor the rich heritage and diverse culture of our area. The presentations helped deepen our connections, while igniting a collective vision for the future. We reached an incredible milestone in our community’s history during the Bicentennial Weekend Spectacular, and I couldn’t be more pleased.”
by Conexion Media Group
The final dedication for the completed re-creation of the First Florida Capitol occurred on Sunday, November 10, organized by the City of Tallahassee and the Friends of First Florida Capitol. An afternoon “Walk Through Living History” occurred on the old Centennial Field in front of the cabin where about twenty booths manned by community organizations were situated in a circle. Blue Bell Creameries provided free ice cream. Theater With a Mission performed several skits based on what was discussed and decided at that first legislative session and The Hot Pepper Steppers performed authentic folk dances of the period to live string music. Several hundred people toured the 2024 version of the First Florida Capitol guided by volunteer docents coordinated by Sandi Brooks, a volunteer herself.
The First Capitol dedication was hosted by Mayor Dailey and special guests were Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline of St. Augustine, Mayor D.C. Reeves of Pensacola, incoming Senate President Ben Albritton, Speaker of the House Paul Renner, and Leon County Commission Chair Carolyn Cummings. Mayor Sikes-Klein said that Tallahassee’s choice as the capital “not only symbolizing a compromise between eastern and western parts of the state, but also making a new chapter in Florida’s political evolution, honoring the historic significance of both sides while creating a new political center that could foster growth and unity in the region… We stand united with you today, Tallahassee, hoping that together we leave behind a legacy of ambition for the next 200 years.”
Mayor Reeves added, “Pensacola was already a city with its own vibrant history tracing back to 1559. Over 250 years separated the founding of Pensacola as one of America’s oldest European settlements and the establishment of Tallahassee as our state’s capital. Each step along the way our cities have shared a role in shaping the identity, character and spirit of Florida. Though our histories are distinct, we have long been bound by a shared sense of purpose of establishing Florida as a place of opportunity, diversity and resilience. This Bicentennial is not only a celebration of Tallahassee’s 200 years, but a reflection of the bonds we have built together as Floridians.”
After the speeches, the political leaders unveiled a historic marker about Tallahassee’s founding, one of several funded and organized by the Tallahassee Historical Society. The marker was dedicated to the late Florida State University history professor and author William Warren Rogers and the late Tallahassee Democrat history writer Gerald Ensley. Their families were in attendance and family members spoke earlier in the afternoon.
“Friends of First Florida Capitol is thankful to Mayor Dailey, Big Bend Habitat for Humanity, and all of the volunteers that made this vision a reality,” said Frank Terraferma, Director of the non-profit Friends of First Florida Capitol. “We are beyond thrilled with how the first capitol replica turned out.”
To cap off the incredible weekend of events, Tallahassee’s own T-Pain performed Sunday evening, a concert that sold out on the first day it was advertised. That morning, T-Pain, whose real name is Faheem Najm, had been presented with the key to the city by Mayor Dailey and Pasco Street near FAMU was renamed T-Pain Lane. “As a hometown hero, T-Pain has inspired countless fans and artists worldwide, and we’re proud to call him one of our own,” said Mayor Dailey.
At the concert, attended by more than 4,000 fans, the two-time Grammy award winner said, “Everything that went on today was just a dream come true.”
Organizers of the entire weekend event couldn’t have agreed more.
On November 12, two days after the Bicentennial Weekend Spectacular, Tallahassee City Manager Reese Goad informed community organizers that the First Florida Capitol cabin could stay indefinitely in its current location in Cascades Park so citizens could learn about Tallahassee and Florida history for years to come.
To get involved with the First Florida Capitol Project, check out both the Facebook page and website: https://www.facebook.com/firstfloridacapitol/ & https://www.firstfloridacapitol.org/.
To learn more about the Bicentennial, visit www.tallahasseeleoncounty200.com.