Florida 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.

Churches are rich with history, and Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist is no different. This nearly 150-year-old church still meets today under granddaddy live oak trees and shares a connection in Ocala history that includes the Seminoles, an impactful black history as an early school, a place using natural landmarks including Nellie's pond, and is even connected to famed thoroughbred farms. Join us for a tour and history lesson. This class will meet at the church at 5000 SW College Rd.

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.

Born into a large black family in rural Alabama, meet Lugusta "Gus" Gray who began working with thoroughbreds at the age of 11. His love for horses changed his life, leading to his 50 years of work on the iconic Hooper Farms and Double Diamond farm in Ocala. He was the first Florida winner of the prestigious national Godolphin award and the first Black inducted into the Marion County Ag. Hall of Fame. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.