08/04/2026
The Board of Directors of the Tallahassee Historical Society, meeting at its annual retreat on August 2, 2026, voted to adopt the following position:
"We the Board of the Tallahassee Historical Society wish to express our opposition to the proposed destruction of the historic Wahnish Cigar Factory building at 469 St. Francis Street. The All Saints District is a unique and historic Tallahassee neighborhood which has the potential to be as vibrant and grounded in its history as historic districts like those on Park Avenue or in Midtown. As a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Wahnish Cigar Factory has significant ties to Tallahassee’s Jewish and Spanish history, as well as the history of cigar making in the State of Florida. The almost 120-year old brick building is the last surviving building of its kind in Tallahassee. Properties like these can enrich our city - just as they do in Ybor City, Key West, and St. Augustine - but only when our vision of the future accommodates them.
The proposed destruction of the Wahnish Building is emblematic of a broader failure by our leadership to preserve the history of the capital of the State of Florida. This impulse, while profitable in the short term, further erodes the educational, historical, and cultural value of visiting the State Capital. At a moment when our local governments are seeking opportunities to expand tourist revenue: our city, our county, our legislative representatives, and our business owners need to have a candid, open, and collaborative discussion about the future of the region. Development does not need to be a zero-sum game. Where appropriate incentives and planning exist, we can chart a path forward to a prosperous future grounded in our storied past.
We, the Board of the Tallahassee Historical Society, call upon the City of Tallahassee to reject this proposal, and to actively take steps to advance the preservation of our State’s Capital."
