American History   

Explore the life and times of the "King of the Crackers." Jake Summerlin was the most influential man in Florida from its admittance to the union, until the twilight of the 20th century. Summerlin pioneered and was the prominent force in the cattle business, the most important building block of Florida's early economy. Jake fought and befriended the Seminoles, settled family feuds, and was a political "king maker." He also donated the state's first free public school, Orlando's first Court House and established the first international telegraph service.

Currently, there is controversy about teaching Critical Race Theory. Sadly, the history of slavery presented was largely inadequate. It's a tough subject, more for adults than children to process. "A nation cannot choose its past. It can only choose its future." This presentation examines how slavery's child, racism, undermined "domestic tranquility." Facing our past is an antidote for our future.

The MOB. Or the Outfit. Or the Wise Guys. Or the Mafia. Whatever name you choose, we are talking about the same thing: Organized Crime. On January 25, Jerry Colen will be here to discuss some of the characters who made up two of the most notorious, most violent and most well-known members of the Chicago and New York crime organizations. Jerry is well-aware that many of the characters he will discuss have infused American history with what can almost be said to be a romantic presence. There is nothing romantic about these criminals, and Jerry will make sure to impress that upon us.

On the 50th Anniversary of the park, join Mike Miller and hear his insider story about the design and construction of Walt Disney World. Before Walt Disney died in 1966, he assembled a dedicated team to create Walt Disney World made up of people who had worked with him since the 1950s in California. After Walt's death, team members would ask each other, what would Walt do? This question was asked countless times during the design and construction of the park. It was asked about issues involving quality, creativity, safety, and the guest experience. The answer was always - do the right thing. Speaker and Author Mike Miller was the engineer who served the team during construction from 1968 to 1971.

A period of weak Presidents, Political Machines, and corruption. But the reaction will increase the government's power and set up the reforms of the Progressive Era in the early 1900s.

A rewarding opportunity to hold a civil and honest discussion on mutual interactions on racial issues. Gorham L. Black, III, a retired US Army Colonel will lead this lively "Learn and Grow" conversation. Two independent sessions will offer informed historical and personal experiences of black history. Listen, learn, share, and grow.

This comprehensive PowerPoint recreation is about the life of one of the most remarkable personalities in world history. From birth in a log cabin to a dirt-poor family, with less than two years of schooling, to rising to the highest office in the land would seem impossible. Yet, after surviving that poverty, and lack of education, became the best Jury Lawyer in Illinois, if not the Country. Political experience and support for other candidates; coupled with his reputation for honesty and integrity, and his developed gift for moving people with his verbal eloquence pushed him to the presidency and greatness in one of the country's darkest periods. 

This continuance of the obstacles and tribulations of this humble man's rise from poverty to national reputation. Once elected President, problems fell heavily upon his shoulders and plagued him for the majority of the rest of his life. His despair over his revolving door of Generals that are costing him support from the public; from his own political party, and sadness from the mounting loss of the Nation's youth. From all this, he skillfully resolves the complexities of this National cliffhanger.

More than a century before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, Black jockeys who had been slaves or sons of slaves felt glorious moments of freedom from oppression during horse races. Artist Alaura Allen captured these stories in her art featuring many of these jockeys and their connections. A suggested read before the class is "Great Black Jockeys" by Edward Hotaling.

A horse industry professional, Tammy Gantt also has another passion of sharing her knowledge of history to promote inclusivity and diversity. At university, she served as advisor for chapters in the National Black Pan-Hellenic Council; won numerous awards for her diversity-inspired programming and created student trips to significant black historical landmarks. She is an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta, an organization committed to public service with a primary focus on the Black community.

In just a few decades the United States will emerge from the Civil War to become the Industrial giant of the 1900s. How did we make so many changes so fast? Who were the leaders of this catalyst? What were some of the effects?

When someone says, "The Revolutionary War" do you think of Florida? This presentation covers the intrigues, chaos, and violence that Florida became in this period. Not many people know what happened in Florida, Britain's 14^th Colony during the war. It was the only colony to stay loyal to the Crown and its people paid dearly for their choice. During the Revolutionary War and thirty-five years after, were periods of bloody violence in the state that made Dodge City and Tombstone look like Quaker Sunday school picnics. This is the story of why this occurred.

The years between the Civil War and WWII are hardly ever a part of major historical profiles of the state. It doesn't mean nothing was happening from 1865 until 1910. Battles between cattle barons replace battles with Indians. Diston drained the land and speculators destroyed Florida's reputation with crooked land deals. Hurricanes far more destructive and deadly than those heralded today stalked the land. Orange blossoms drenched the state's air with perfume and Edison perfected his light bulb here. Don't forget the forgotten years. This presentation covers forgotten events that affect us today.

Join DL Havlin as he covers this little appreciated period of Florida's history. No event changed and shaped the Sunshine State as much as WWII. Learn about the where, what, when and how Florida's "military invasion" occurred. The D-Day invasion force trained here as did the Doolittle raid. The story of how the least populated state east of the Mississippi, with a small economy and a bad "reputation" developed into today's modern prosperous state is fascinating. And, did a lot to help win the war.

A very quick look at 3 dozen court cases that changed history and impacted government policies.

According to the instructor, people should remember the pain and learn that we as Americans stand on the shoulders of many who have not been acknowledged or recognized for their tremendous contributions that are used on a daily basis. Some of them are the first in many categories. We aspire to be the best and we need to know those who have already achieved. It was not without hard work, sacrifices and effort. What are these achievements and accomplishments and by whom? Find out? Art work by the instructor will be presented. Afterward, discussion time will be provided for questions and answers.

The question of whether or not the United States is a racist nation is one not likely to be settled now or any time in the near or distant future.  That answer is safe from any conclusion.  However, there have been and continue to be, many atrocities perpetrated on people of color in general and on people of the Black Race in particular is a matter freed from such question(s) both by past and current events.

Despite these evil and ugly actions, Blacks have and continue to be a people that provide(d) much in the building of the security and wealth of this nation.  Much of the racial tensions, especially in the United States, is fueled, sometimes, by the ignorance of a race and its culture, supported by societal systems to exclude much of the treatment and the advancements of these people from school textbooks and general knowledge.  This ignorance exists both in the people of and not of the neglected race.  The aim and hope of this class is to reduce both the ignorance and the racial tensions that it often causes.

The history, traditions, music and mayhem of Mardi Gras from Ancient Rome's naughty carnivals to present day Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). Discover the evolution of Mardi Gras from hedonistic feast to religious ritual to the wild celebrations in New Orleans.

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone National Park being established, we will search American history for important conservation landmarks. From the signing of the Migratory Bird Act to the first successful release of the Black-Footed ferret, we have made great strides to preserve the natural wonder on North American lands and animals.

Lincoln was the rising star of the Republican Party. He had proven himself over and over, while he was debating Stephan Douglas, as someone with a gift of speech who could move crowds. The Republican convention, at which he might be nominated as the candidate for the highest office in the land, was fast approaching. He is asked to be one of the trial lawyers in a contentious murder trial in support of a young man who killed an intern who had worked in his very office. If he lost this case it could cost him - because the nation was watching.

Florida played an interesting role in the Civil War.  The instructor, dressed in a Marion County uniform, tells that story, not only about the armies, navies, and battles, but also of the civilian life.  The people not only dealt with shortages, but with the death and destruction the war bought to Florida's sparsely populated towns, from Fernandina to Key West.

The Marshall Plantation Raid by black Union soldiers on March 10, 1865 was the only time the Civil War came to Marion County. Misrepresented and inaccurately portrayed historically, this presentation tells the untold story. This crazy raid had a unit of black men travel 100 miles behind enemy lines. The story of their exodus-like journey is gripping. Hear the truth!

Courage is where you find it. High in the skies over the Pacific. Or, slogging in the muddy mountains of Italy.

West Palm Beach graduate Commander David McCampbell was the US Navy’s most famous "Ace" in the Pacific in WWII, shooting down 34 Japanese planes and Commander of the Air Group on the carrier Essex. He set a record for shooting down 9 in one day.

James Henry Mills, born near Mulberry Florida, was often called the "Sargent York of WWII." His single-handed exploits in a battle defy any movie writer's duplication. When called to be decorated, his fear was he would be court-martialed for losing his rifle during the battle. His life of hardship is a sobering tale of how some of our bravest fare.

This panhandle born girl rose from obscurity to be a giant in aviation and in business. Though not receiving the publicity that Amelia Earhart is accorded, she accomplished much, much more in a life filled with triumphs and heart break. At one point she held every woman's aviation record, was instrumental in forming the WAAC (Woman's Auxiliary Army Corps), the WASP (Woman's Airforce Service Pilots), was an acclaimed test pilot, was the first woman pilot to break the sound barrier, and was the driving force in forming the first woman's astronaut group.

General George Washington was America's first Spymaster. Elizabeth Van Lew was America's second. This Virginia born aristocrat, educated in Philadelphia, abhorred slavery and when the war broke out, she hated to see the Union broken apart. She followed all the protocols that a CIA Case Officer does today, but did it 150 years ago, all in a courageous effort to bring resolution to this bloody, tumultuous page in American history. To honor her, she is enshrined in the United States Military Intelligence Hall of Fame for her many deeds in this fratricidal war.

William Bartram called it the Great Alachua Savanna. We know it as Paynes Prairie. On this chapter of our "Bartram's Florida" series, we'll take a 3 mile stroll onto the wetland savanna made famous by the young explorer in 1774.

The talk will include a brief overview of the prairie's rich history from Lars Andersen, author of "Paynes Prairie: A History and Guide."

-Note: Meeting time at park is 10 AM.
-There is a $5 Park Fee payable at the entrance day of trip.
-The trip duration is 1.5 - 2 hours long.
-The difficulty: Easy, two mile stroll on easy (mostly flat) terrain. Since this is an out-and-back hike, participants who can't do the entire hike are welcome to turn back at any time.
-The Skill level: Good for beginners.

William Bartram called it the Great Alachua Savanna. We know it as Paynes Prairie. On this chapter of our "Bartram's Florida" series, we'll take a 3 mile stroll onto the wetland savanna made famous by the young explorer in 1774.

The talk will include a brief overview of the prairie's rich history from Lars Andersen, author of "Paynes Prairie: A History and Guide."

-Note: Meeting time at park is 10 AM.
-There is a $5 Park Fee payable at the entrance day of trip.
-The trip duration is 1.5 - 2 hours long.
-The difficulty: Easy, two mile stroll on easy (mostly flat) terrain. Since this is an out-and-back hike, participants who can't do the entire hike are welcome to turn back at any time.
-The Skill level: Good for beginners.

The attack on Pearl Harbor- what precipitated the villainous Japanese attack on America's Pacific Naval Base at Pearl Harbor? Why did the Japanese want to go to war with us? We will discuss the physical attack and penetrate the reasons that even though it was an immediate success for Japan, it was really the early beginning of the end of the Japanese empire.

Although the United States has been largely a two-party system, 3rd/minor parties have led to many changes in the major parties and impacted multiple elections in our history. Look back at what caused these parties to form and what impact they had.

Many remember the story of the Scopes Monkey Trial from the movie "Inherit the Wind." But the reality of the events is far from that story. Jerry Colen explains, through his historical research, that the entire affair was little more than a publicity stunt designed get the attention of the nation focused on a small town.

A completely different tour with totally different artifacts whose background stories are revealed and colorfully illustrated by a CIA Retiree who was in the Agency when most of these events were happening. This is Part 2 of an ongoing series that will contain, as they are declassified, new clandestine items and missions previously highly classified in full color and with unique illustrations created to show how they were carried out. It reveals two of the most expensive operations in CIA history!

The "Lost Cause" and neo-Confederate advocates disparage Reconstruction as a failure, though they caused the Union to painfully try to put itself back together after initiating our Civil War. Its greatest achievement was making the concept of equality more concrete and real in the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. In today's Congressional climate, they would never pass. Learn how Reconstructions impact us today.

Why do so many horses in major races across the U.S. have a connection to our county? Learn how Marion County became the Horse Capital of the World® thanks to a little horse named Needles in 1956 and how he changed the trajectory of the Florida thoroughbred industry, making it one of the world's leading breeding, sales and racing centers.

Learn the history of the Florida peninsula before it joined the United States of America following the Seminole Wars of the early nineteenth century. Native tribes, conquistadors, frontier alligator hunters, cattlemen and pirates all have had a long and intriguing impact on the history of the peninsula. This course is designed for those with no previous knowledge of the subject, as well as for history enthusiasts.

At 7:22 on the morning of April 15, 1865, Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United States passed into myth and legend. As then Secretary of War, Edmund Stanton was said to observe, "…he belongs to the ages." On April 12, and 19, Jerry Colen, will be here to speak at length on Lincoln, his family history from arriving in the Americas, to his youth, politics, his presidency and his tragic assassination. We invite you to sit in with Jerry as he presents Abraham Lincoln to you with depth and understanding.

This course will take you through the origins of the great game of Basketball, with the use of original films and photographs.

Women were not thought of as possible spies, they were too shy and sweet to do that dirty, distasteful, disreputable work. However, the Civil War was not the first time that females were employed in that occupation and will not be the last.

This program shows who did what, and for whom, on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line. Some were more successful than others, some were captured after a short run, and two of them were highly successful and never caught throughout the entire war.

Join us as we celebrate Earth Day 2022 with a program exploring the fascinating life of conservationist Marjorie Harris Carr (1915-1997) - who used the power of the pen and grassroots activism to protect and preserve many of north central Florida's ecological treasures. Carr launched her conservation career in the 1950s while raising five children. She is best known for leading the fight against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Cross Florida Barge Canal.

Enjoy learning about the heritage thoroughbred farms, personalities, horses and characters that shaped Marion County into the Horse Capital of the World® through the photographic works of Louise Reinagel. Famed thoroughbred photographer Reinagel has been behind-the-scenes for decades as the horse industry grew in Marion County. She's photographed record-breaking sales toppers at the worldwide sales here in Ocala and captured some of the legendary owners, trainers and breeders in the sport. In tranquil moments, she caught famed thoroughbred stallions playing in their paddocks and Hall of Fame mares nuzzling their foals lovingly. Learn the history as a walk through her photographs take us to the cultural heart of our county.

Rick Baker will speak on the rich history of Florida and his newest book, Beyond the Sunshine, A Timeline of Florida's Past. As mayor of St. Petersburg from 2001-2010, Baker learned that knowledge of our past is critical to ensuring that we make good decisions now. He opens the book with his view of lessons learned from Florida's past- lessons that should shape the decisions we make now. This is a powerful message for those involved in our incredible state. It includes over 500 pictures that make Florida's past come to life and covers from the first humans arriving to hurricane Irma.

Rick Baker has been a Business Acquisition lawyer, a Law Firm President, a University Vice President and President of a St. Petersburg-based development and entertainment company. Presently he is an advisor and investor in companies involved in urban development and autonomous vehicle technology. From 2001 to 2010, he served as mayor of St. Petersburg - Florida's fourth largest city.

Under Mayor Baker's leadership, St. Petersburg experienced a renaissance unmatched in city history. In 2008, he was named America's Mayor/Public Official of the Year by Governing Magazine. In 2011, Daily Beast Editor in Chief John Avlon named him "America's greatest mayor of the decade." Baker chaired the Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida, Chaired the Florida Statewide Water Congress, chaired the Florida Governor’s Municipal Mentoring Initiative, vice chaired the Florida Governor’s Energy Action Team, and led in transition teams for the Florida Governor, Attorney General and Chief Financial Officer. Baker holds a B.S., MBA, and a Juris Doctor (with honors) from Florida State University where he was Senior Class President. He studied comparative law at Oxford University. He served as legal intern to Florida Supreme Court Justice Ben Overton, and law clerk to Governor Bob Graham’s special counsel.

These are stories of four top Native American leaders with similar upbringings, but very different lives. Some were of mixed blood, great warriors fighting to save their homeland and their tribes, sage and holy men, keepers of the flame of knowledge of Indian rituals. A leader and founder of a Native American church, entrepreneurs, statesmen, hunting buddies of U.S. presidents, great orators, who gave assistance and saved many of the white "European visitors." Yet, in the end, were usually betrayed as their reward.

Today is the 95th anniversary of the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Millions around the world know of this feat and the man who accomplished it, Charles Lindbergh. What many are not aware of is the stain he placed on his name by his flirtation with Hitler, antisemitism, and Nazi Germany. We will explore in-depth the entire picture of this famous historical figure, both his accomplishments which earned him praise of many and the condemnation he received from many, including a rebuke from the President of the United States.

This presentation includes stories of four additional leaders. It can be taken either as a continuation from Part 1, or taken independently. These four Native American leaders had similar upbringings, but very different lives. All were fighting to preserve their way of life as it had been for millennia. Some were warriors, some holy men, preserver of the sacred rituals, an entrepreneur, great orator, even hunting buddy of a President. Betrayal was the usual outcome.

Courage is where you find it. High in the skies over the Pacific. Or, slogging in the muddy mountains of Italy.

West Palm Beach graduate Commander David McCampbell was the US Navy’s most famous "Ace" in the Pacific in WWII, shooting down 34 Japanese planes and Commander of the Air Group on the carrier Essex. He set a record for shooting down 9 in one day.

James Henry Mills, born near Mulberry Florida, was often called the "Sargent York of WWII." His single-handed exploits in a battle defy any movie writer's duplication. When called to be decorated, his fear was he would be court-martialed for losing his rifle during the battle. His life of hardship is a sobering tale of how some of our bravest fare.