American History   

The poignant story of how, together two Americans faced and conquered red tape, engineering obstacles, corruption and personal trials to train and equip the US Marines for their greatest challenges. The story of the LVT, an amphibious vehicle the Marines used to win the war in the Pacific. Two historical figures fight technical and bureaucratic party, and a magazine article can alter history and save 100,000 lives. 

FWA Royal Palm Literary Award winner – Runner-up Best Historical Novel.

A frontier that was a constant scene of border raiders, slave chasers, militia reprisals, Indian raids and war, Florida was a land painted crimson by the blood and flames that raced over it for more than three centuries. It was one of history's most violent venues. Periods of peace were short to non-existent. This presentation covers the plight of Florida’s inhabitants during Spain’s first ownership, England's administration of a "vacant colony," and Spain's lack of ability and desire to maintain its two Florida colonies. Stability was non-existent. Florida's legacy is one of violence.

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.

Despite its importance, the Emancipation Proclamation is frequently misunderstood. The goal here is to explain why it was issued, when it was issued, what was its intent, what it did and did not accomplish.

The JFK assassination has been a nearly 60-year-old mystery of history. Did Oswald do it? Did he act alone? If not, who else was involved? What lead up to the murder and who were the possible people involved? Was it a single mastermind or the work of a cabal? Was it the first attempt on this President's life? Was it a foolproof operation, or were there mistakes and coverups that occurred? Were there any warnings or advanced indications about an assassination? If so, who knew and when? Come look and listen as many facts previously unknown or omitted in the Warren Report are revealed. 

This presentation reveals the depth and types of skills needed by CIA personnel to use clandestine operations to collect intelligence in difficult, to near-impossible, situations in foreign countries, all this while under surveillance by anti-espionage professionals. It also reveals some of those secret (now unclassified) successes that were accomplished against all odds.

The "Lost Cause" and neo-Confederates advocates disparage Reconstruction as a failure. Yet, historians today call it "The Second American Revolution," as it made the idea of equality more than an aspirational notion, spelling out in law implications of equality in the 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th amendments. In today's Congressional climate, they would probably never pass.  Reconstruction made equality more of a reality, bringing us closer to "A more perfect Union."

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.

Visit the 'Golden Age of Hollywood' and discover the back-story about the movie studios, the stars they created and the murders, mysteries and mayhem of the lives they lived.

This course will include more Hollywood secrets, scandals, suicides and murders. Topics include items like what happened to Errol Flynn? Who was Clark Gable?

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. 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.
Skill level: Good for beginners.

In June of 2013, Edward Snowden, an employee of the National Security Agency, released to the media many thousands of documents that showed the extent that our government was spying on not only national security targets, but ordinary American citizens. Some claimed he committed treason and others called him a great patriot. We will investigate both sides of the issue and attempt to determine where the truth lies.

Ulysses S. Grant and the Winning of the War. President Abraham Lincoln needed help. He had appointed a series of generals to command his armies and yet, as the War continued dreary year after dreary year, the War was not ending. To not win, meant to lose.

Then, in the Western theater of the War, a rumpled-looking major general of volunteers began winning battles. Lincoln liked what he saw. This rumpled general just might be the answer to winning the War. Civil War history buff, Jerry Colen will be here on June 20, to speak with us about the rise and success of Ulysses S. Grant and how he brought the Civil War to Union victory.