Setting the Tone at FAMU
February 2024
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University was founded in 1887 when campus rattlesnakes were just something you put up with if you were matriculating in rural North Florida. Students and faculty were not the least bit intimidated. They took the snakes as their mascot and built FAMU into 1 of the most storied of the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities.
In 1998, Time Magazine selected Tallahassee’s FAMU as its College of the Year. The Eternal Flame, located at The Set in the center of FAMU’s campus, commemorates the honor with an obelisk topped by a flame that burns all day, every day. It’s a symbol of the fire and spirit that lies within every Rattler.
FAMU’s Marching 100 is high atop the list of the most celebrated college bands in the musical galaxy. The 100 has strutted its stuff on the ChampsÉlysées in Paris and stolen the show from Kanye West and Jamie Foxx at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
But the best place on Earth to see these masters of the music universe is on game days at the Rattlers’ home field. Bragg Memorial Stadium seats 25,000, but nobody’s sitting down when the band shows off its moves and musicianship. With its slow and stunning “death cadence” and the triple-time march that leaves audiences gasping, the Marching 100 knows how to win hearts and raise pulses.
Slow things down with a leisurely campus stroll and discover the adventure in architecture and design that FAMU shares every day. Of special note is the old Carnegie Library, 1 of many financed at the turn of the 20th century by steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
Today, it’s the home of the Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research Center and Museum. The Center is 1 of 10 Black archives in the United States and among the largest repositories of African American history and culture in the Southeast.
Lee Hall, built in 1928, is the centerpiece of FAMU’s historic district and cultural life. It holds a spot on the American Institute of Architects’ prestigious “Florida Architecture: 100 Years, 100 Places” list and houses the 1,200-seat Lee Hall Auditorium. The Essential Theatre Series appeals to the most demanding audiences, while the Morning Matinee Series is aimed at schoolchildren and is available to seniors at discounted rates.
Savor the flavor of Florida’s sweet muscadine grapes at the FAMU Center for Viticulture’s Annual Grape Harvest Festival. August is the most wonderful time of the year for oenophiles, as the Rattlers roll out the red carpet for visitors to the school’s vineyards, located off campus near Interstate 10. Pick a few grape clusters to take home, and enjoy winemaking workshops, a vineyard walk/run, and grape-stomping contests, just like in the movies.
FAMU is known for its Campus Ambassadors who provide customized tours for prospective students, their families, and the public. A Rattler Concierge is a walking Wikipedia of FAMU’s history, current events, and traditions. Call ahead and let them help you make the most of your visit.
