Created by Florida State University

Plans for higher education in Florida began in 1823 when the legislative council of the territory set aside for sale one township in East Florida and one in West Florida to support seminaries. In 1851, the State Legislature authorized the all-male Seminary West of the Suwannee. The property of the Florida Institute in Tallahassee (created in 1851) was offered to the state as a site for its new western seminary. The Legislature accepted the offer and the first classes were held in 1857. In 1858 females were admitted in a separate department called the Female Institute which operated, with its own Principal, until 1882 when the Seminary became coeducational.

During the Civil War, the 1863 Legislature passed an act changing the institution's name to The Florida Military and Collegiate Institute. Cadets from this institute fought in the Battle of Natural Bridge south of Tallahassee in 1865. As a result of this participation, Florida State University's ROTC unit is entitled to add a battle streamer to its ROTC unit flag. It is one of only three university ROTC units in the U.S. to have this distinction. In summer 1865, Federal troops occupied the Seminary buildings. The Female Department, inactive during the war, resumed activity in 1866. In 1901 the name of The West Florida Seminary was changed to the Florida State College, and the first master's degree was offered the following year.

From the guide to the Seminary West of the Suwannee Receipts, 1899-1902, (Repository Unknown)

The Florida State University, one of the largest and oldest of the nine institutions of higher learning in the State University System of Florida, had its beginning in 1851 when the Florida Legislature established two seminaries. In February 1857, the institution began offering postsecondary instruction to male students at the Seminary West of the Suwannee River. The following year it became coeducational when it merged with the Tallahasse Female Academy. By 1897 the institution had evolved into the first liberal arts college in the state, and in 1901 it became Florida State College, a four year institution. In 1905 the University of Florida was established and designated a men's school, and the Florida State College became a women's school, the Florida Female College. In 1909 the name of the college was changed to Florida State College for Women. In 1947, the Florida State College for Women was returned to coeducational status and renamed The Florida State University. By the 1980s, the University was recognized as a major research institute with over 370 buildings on nearly 1200 acres including the main campus of 346 acres in Tallahassee. (Taken from the Florida State University General Bulletin, 1995-1997)

From the guide to the Florida State University (FSU) Building Appraisals as of April, 1955, 1934-1956, 1955, (Repository Unknown)

The Florida State University, one of the largest and oldest of the nine institutions of higher learning in the State University System of Florida, had its beginning in 1851 when the Florida Legislature established two seminaries. In February 1857, the institution began offering postsecondary instruction to male students at the Seminar West of the Suwannee River. The following year it became coeducational when it merged with the Tallahasse Female Academy. By 1897 the institution had evolved into the first liberal arts college in the state, and in 1901 it became Florida State College, a four year institution. In 1905 the University of Florida was established and designated a men's school, and the Florida State College became a women's school call the Florida Female College. In 1909 the name of the college was changed to Florida State College for Women. In 1947, the Florida State College for Women was returned to coeducational status and renamed The Florida State University. By the 1980s, the University was recognized as a major research institute with over 370 buildings on nearly 1200 acres including the main campus of 346 acres in Tallahassee.

From the guide to the Florida State University (FSU) Graduation, 1952-1964, (Repository Unknown)

The Florida State University, one of the largest and oldest of the nine institutions of higher learning in the State University System of Florida, had its beginning in 1851 when the Florida Legislature established two seminaries. In February 1857, the institution began offering postsecondary instruction to male students at the Seminar West of the Suwannee River. The following year it became coeducational when it merged with the Tallahasse Female Academy. By 1897 the institution had evolved into the first liberal arts college in the state, and in 1901 it became Florida State College, a four year institution. In 1905 the University of Florida was established and designated a men's school, and the Florida State College became a women's school call the Florida Female College. In 1909 the name of the college was changed to Florida State College for Women. In 1947, the Florida State College for Women was returned to coeducational status and renamed The Florida State University. By the 1980s, the University was recognized as a major research institute with over 370 buildings on nearly 1200 acres including the main campus of 346 acres in Tallahassee. (Taken from the Florida State University General Bulletin, 1995-1997)

From the guide to the Florida State University Postcards, 1908 and undated, (Repository Unknown)