The Nathan Mayo Papers supplement the official papers of the Florida Department of Agriculture maintained at the State Archives (see "Related Materials" section of this guide). The UF collection consists of materials donated by the commissioner's son, Nat Mayo, and consists of files returned to the family or in the family's possession after Mayo's death in 1960. It should be noted that while UF's collection is valuable for particular aspects of Mayo's career, it is not a comprehensive record of the Department of Agriculture or of his life. The largest part of the collection relates to Mayo's successful bids for reelection as Commissioner of Agriculture in 1928, 1932, and 1936. The collection also includes some general correspondence (1926-1960) and some additional political correspondence related to Mayo's gubernatorial ambitions between 1932 and 1948. Mayo was noted for his promotion of state fairs and other events that spotlighted Florida's success in agriculture and livestock. His involvement at these events is documented in both his speeches and in the photo files. There is a particularly good photographic record of the "Cracker Breakfasts," one of Mayo's tools for enlisting support for department initiatives and showcasing Florida's ability to feed America. There are also important materials on the scandals plaguing Florida's prison system, which fell under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Agriculture. These include: a photo album of Raiford Prison in 1937 (including operation of the inmate farm); several subject files about prison conditions, escapes, pardons, and other matters; and a newspaper clippings file that covers the public controversy over use of sweat boxes, other abuses in the prison system, and treatment of juvenile inmates. These materials primarily document the 1940s and 1950s.
