A full-size replica of Tallahassee's very first capitol building is now under construction in a large, vacant room under the AC Marriott Hotel at Cascades Park. The start of the project, which is part of the community's Bicentennial Celebration, took place on Saturday, June 8.
Power tools whined and volunteers scurried about Saturday morning, forming the foundation for the structure. Frank Terraferma with the Friends of the Old Capitol organization welcomed the workers.
"So this is something very exciting and historical. We're building an interpretation, a rendition, of the very first capitol, which was a simple log cabin started in April of 2024."
Although work supervisor, Antoine Wright with Big Bend Habitat for Humanity, admitted the cabin wouldn't be an exact replica of the original.
"It's going to have that authentic feel. It's going to look like a log cabin from 200 years ago, but it's going to be able to withstand hurricane force winds and to be built to today's standards, the way we build all of our homes."
Most of the work should be done over the next few weekends. Total completion is expected by Labor Day.
