Florida. Division of Cultural Affairs

The Division of Cultural Affairs was administratively created within the Dept. of State in 1969 to coordinate the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary of State as they related to the activities, functions, and programs of the Florida Fine Arts Council and four previously independent state agencies, the historical preservation boards of Pensacola and St. Augustine, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, and the Stephen Foster Memorial Commission. In 1971, the Division also began serving in an advisory capacity to the State Theatre of Florida. Control of the Stephen Foster Memorial passed to the Dept. of Natural Resources in 1979 (Ch. 79-322, Laws). Eventually, the Division served as liaison for the Secretary of State for all the preservation boards until 1983 when these activities were transferred to the Division of Archives, History, and Records Management.

The Division of Cultural Affairs was administratively created within the Dept. of State in 1969 to coordinate the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary of State as they related to the activities, functions, and programs of the Florida Fine Arts Council and four previously independent state agencies, the historical preservation boards of Pensacola and St. Augustine, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, and the Stephen Foster Memorial Commission. In 1971, the Division also began serving in an advisory capacity to the State Theatre of Florida. Eventually, the Division served as liaison for the Secretary of State for all the preservation boards until 1983 when these activities were transferred to the Division of Archives, History, and Records Management.

The Stephen Foster Memorial is a 250-acre state-owned park located on the Suwannee River in White Springs, Fla. The Memorial's continuing objective is to perpetuate the music and memories of Stephen Foster, the composer of Florida's state song. The Florida Folklife Festival is held on the grounds of the memorial each year. The park was transferred to the Dept. of Natural Resources in 1979 (Ch. 79-322, Laws), but the Division of Cultural Affairs still administers the Florida Folklife Program in White Springs.