State of Florida - National Parks Gallery

Name: Florida
Level: 60-ft.
Donor: State of Florida
Dates: c.1968/c.1968
Original materials: limestone, silver seal, silver leaf (coated with wax) in letters
Dimensions: 2' x 3' 11"
Sculptor/Carver: not known
Original inscription: Florida [abbr.]
Documented material history:
• 1966: “the City Council was in unanimous accord to purchasing a block of stone 2' x 4' x 2' [sic] to be placed in Washington’s Monument with a Bronze Plaque bearing the name of the City of Bradenton inlaid in the stone.” [“Minutes of City Council, May 25, 1966,” Bradenton, Florida.]
• 1968: “The current stone was installed on January 11, 1968, and was paid for by the City of Bradenton, Florida.” [Photocopy of NACC catalog of state commemorative stones, n.d., source cited: “Park Files;” NACC.]
Documented material history of original stone:
• 1850: “From Florida, a block of stone called rotten limestone; the State seal to be engraved on it . . .” [DNI, August 7, 1850.]
1880: “Face of stone disintegrated . . .” [CG]