Tallahassee, Florida
Venue
The Competition, Gala Dinner, and Dance Camp will take place at the Tallahassee Senior Center located at 1400 N Monroe Street.
History of the Tallahassee Senior Center
The Tallahassee Senior Center on North Monroe Street started its life as a military fortress. After WWI in 1924, local military units were renting space above a grocery store. Following a freeholder election, plans for a state-owned armory were formed. The city purchased land for just under $6,000 and grants from Roosevelt’s “New Deal” programs added about $66,000, for a total of around $74,000.
Completed in 1935, the Art Deco building features geometric brick designs, a castle-like front entrance with steps ascending to a stone arch over two massive double doors, and corner towers adorned with stone-carved eagles. The armory's middle floor had a large drill hall, and the lower floor stored ammunition and equipment. It housed military units until 1975.
In 1978, it was officially designated as the Senior Center, and over time underwent several renovations. During its history it has hosted many community activities including art galleries, cultural shows, dancing, roller-skating, and athletic events.
And as to its ballroom dancing history? A rich heritage was begun at the armory's dedication ceremony in 1935 when a ball dance was hosted in the drill hall. This same majestic hall--with one of the largest wooden floors in the city--continues as a venue for regular dances to the present day!
Local Guide & Tourist Sites
Fun Facts about Tallahassee
“Tallahassee” is a Muskogean word approximately meaning “old fields." Founded in 1821, it became Florida's capital city in 1824. The Tallahassee Automobile Museum has Abraham Lincoln's horse-drawn hearse on display. The 68,000-acre St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, founded in 1931, is of the nation's oldest wildlife refuges. Local lore claims that in the city's oldest public cemetery lies a witch--Elizabeth Budd-Graham. The only grave facing West, her tombstone is inscribed with part of Edgar Allan Poe's poem, "Lenore."
Tallahassee is celebrating its 200th birthday this year!
Historical Landmarks & Museums
The Historical Tallahassee Capital
The Historical Tallahassee Capital
The Historical Tallahassee Capital
Tallahassee was chosen as the territorial capital in 1824. The first territorial government met in log cabins. A capitol building was constructed in 1826 but never completely finished. Why?
FL Governor’s Mansion
The Historical Tallahassee Capital
The Historical Tallahassee Capital
"The governor's mansion reflects the progress & aspirations of the state. A symbolic testimony to the resilience and dynamism of its people, looking backward while ever striding forward."
Ellen J. Uguccioni
Tallahassee Auto Muesum
The Historical Tallahassee Capital
Tallahassee Natural Museum
It's A Journey Through History and is home to one of the nation's largest automobile & antique car collections, connecting people with history since 1996.
Tallahassee Natural Museum
St Marks National Wildlife Refuge & St Marks Lighthouse
Tallahassee Natural Museum
Tallahassee Museum is a unique destination to explore 52 acres of natural history, wildlife, zoology, and adventure.
Perfect for the whole family!
Knott House Museum
St Marks National Wildlife Refuge & St Marks Lighthouse
St Marks National Wildlife Refuge & St Marks Lighthouse
The Knott House offers visitors a look at Tallahassee life in the 1930s.
Decorated in Victorian splendor, the 1840s home features original furnishings
used by the Knott family during their 1928 to 1941 period of residence in the home.
St Marks National Wildlife Refuge & St Marks Lighthouse
St Marks National Wildlife Refuge & St Marks Lighthouse
St Marks National Wildlife Refuge & St Marks Lighthouse
A National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1931 to provide winter habitat for migratory birds and is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. It encompasses about 86,000 acres in Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties, and includes about 43 miles of north Florida’s Gulf coast.
The Grove Museum
The Grove Museum
The Grove Museum
Guided house tours focus on the evolution of civil rights in American history, from slavery to the civil rights movement, through the lens of The Grove and its former residents.
Built by enslaved craftspeople, the ca. 1840 Call-Collins House at The Grove is one of the best-preserved antebellum residences in Florida.
Parks & Recreation
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
A masterpiece of floral architecture, the gardens feature a picturesque brick walkway, secret garden, reflection pool, walled garden, and hundreds of camellias and azaleas.
Cascades
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
In the downtown area, a 24-acre outdoor classroom; is the perfect place to learn all about Tallahassee's early years. From the founding of Tallahassee with Florida's first point of origin in the Prime Meridian Plaza to life in the 1900s with the Smokey Hollow Commemoration, it can all be found here in Cascades Park.
Tom Brown
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Tom Brown
This is the City of Tallahassee's premier outdoor place to play!
Tom Brown has Tennis, baseball, soccer, 2 playgrounds, dog parks, wide open spaces and so much more!
Restaurants & Local Shops
Two Locations - Midtown and Bannerman
Midtown is closest to the Competition Venue.
Millennium offers a wide variety of services, from massage, mani & pedicures; acrylics and so much more including semi-permanent make-up tattoos.
Mimi’s Table is named after Rebecca “Mimi” Johnson, the mother-in-law of Owner/Executive Chef William Lawson. Family and friends have always been welcomed at her table and now you are always welcome at ours.
Located in the Old Town neighborhood in Tallahassee, Mimi's Table has become a favorite evening gathering spot.
Over 70 years keeping men well dressed with three stores in Tallahassee, this family own business is fulfilling Nic's dream of dressing the Southeast region with the finest quality clothing and service.
For 13 years in a row, received "Top 100 Men's Store in the U.S." by Esquire Magazine.
Savour, among the latest to join the Capital City’s growing downtown upscale dining scene.
Across from a park, the restaurant features inviting decor of exposed brick coupled with a touch of elegance that create a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
Voted "Top 100 in the US" by OpenTable.