Florida History   

Florida is a state that is unique in its history. Beginning with the many flags that have flown over it since the first European conquerors came long before Jamestown to the base of our exploration for our future in space. The series will present many visuals to help you see the changes as a Floridian who can trace his roots in Florida to the early 1800s helps guide you as you learn about the Sunshine State.

When most people think of Florida, they picture beaches, theme parks, or retirees. Not Cajuns and gumbo. But Florida’s history is far more complex and colorful than the textbooks let on.

Often treated as a historical afterthought, Florida has played a pivotal role in American and colonial history, long before Jamestown or Plymouth were settled. In fact, Florida was the site of European exploration and settlement during the Renaissance and changed hands more times than any other state.

This engaging talk explores how Florida earned the title of the fourteenth colony and then, unexpectedly, the fifteenth, revealing its overlooked but vital place in the nation's founding story.

Florida's Great Depression began before the 1929 stock market crash, as economic hardship gripped the state in the wake of a burst land boom. As a popular country song quips, "somebody told us Wall Street fell, but we were so poor we couldn’t tell."

When President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) arrived, it didn't just rescue Florida's economy, it reshaped the state. This presentation explores how the WPA created everything from seawalls, parks, and murals to large-scale revitalization efforts like the dramatic transformation of Key West from near-abandonment to iconic destination. Join us to discover the lasting impact of New Deal ingenuity on Florida's cities, culture, and infrastructure.

People of Scottish ancestry have been a part of the history of America for well over 250 years. The Highland Games are among the centuries-old traditions Scottish immigrants brought to America. In this session, you will learn about the games, their history, and where in Florida you can go to see these powerful symbols of Scottish heritage and cultural pride.  

The optional second class will be a field trip meeting on Saturday 2/14/26 in Mt. Dora- Instructor will be giving the final details on the 1st day of class. Student will pay for the field trip on own.

Florida is a state that is unique in its history. Beginning with the many flags that have flown over it since the first European conquerors came long before Jamestown to the base of our exploration for our future in space. The series will present many visuals to help you see the changes as a Floridian who can trace his roots in Florida to the early 1800s helps guide you as you learn about the Sunshine State.

Florida is a state that is unique in its history. Beginning with the many flags that have flown over it since the first European conquerors came long before Jamestown to the base of our exploration for our future in space. The series will present many visuals to help you see the changes as a Floridian who can trace his roots in Florida to the early 1800s helps guide you as you learn about the Sunshine State.

Florida is a state that is unique in its history. Beginning with the many flags that have flown over it since the first European conquerors came long before Jamestown to the base of our exploration for our future in space. The series will present many visuals to help you see the changes as a Floridian who can trace his roots in Florida to the early 1800s helps guide you as you learn about the Sunshine State.

Florida is a state that is unique in its history. Beginning with the many flags that have flown over it since the first European conquerors came long before Jamestown to the base of our exploration for our future in space. The series will present many visuals to help you see the changes as a Floridian who can trace his roots in Florida to the early 1800s helps guide you as you learn about the Sunshine State.

Ever heard of Frogs? How about Sharkansas Women's Prison? This fun look at Florida's relationship to some of the (often intentionally) worst science fiction movies showcases Florida’s B-movie glory, starting with Creature From the Black Lagoon and moving through not-quite-classic sci-fi “masterpieces” like Devil Fish and 2-Headed Shark.

See clips from films made in Florida - and films made about Florida. From Sunshine State to Where the Boys Are to Gone Fishin', you'll get an overview of what Florida-made and Floridacentric films say about our state. Expect lots of movie clips, discussion and a question and answer period.

Florida is a state that is unique in its history. Beginning with the many flags that have flown over it since the first European conquerors came long before Jamestown to the base of our exploration for our future in space. The series will present many visuals to help you see the changes as a Floridian who can trace his roots in Florida to the early 1800s helps guide you as you learn about the Sunshine State.

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.

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.

Florida is a state that is unique in its history. Beginning with the many flags that have flown over it since the first European conquerors came long before Jamestown to the base of our exploration for our future in space. The series will present many visuals to help you see the changes as a Floridian who can trace his roots in Florida to the early 1800s helps guide you as you learn about the Sunshine State.

In this dynamic lecture, journey back to the Gilded Age and discover how Henry Flagler, co-founder of Standard Oil, transformed Florida’s coasts with his bold vision. His Florida East Coast Railway didn't just build tracks- it built cities, from Palm Beach to Miami and all the way to Key West. Hear how Flagler's crews overcame hurricanes, swamps, and engineering challenges to connect the Sunshine State. Learn how alliances with figures like Julia Tuttle helped turn Miami into a booming city. Flagler's grand hotels and infrastructure helped shape Florida into a winter retreat and global destination.

Florida is a state that is unique in its history. Beginning with the many flags that have flown over it since the first European conquerors came long before Jamestown to the base of our exploration for our future in space. The series will present many visuals to help you see the changes as a Floridian who can trace his roots in Florida to the early 1800s helps guide you as you learn about the Sunshine State.

On July 1, 2008, the Florida House of Representatives declared the Florida Cracker Horse the official state horse.  Also known as the Chickasaw Pony, Seminole Pony, Prairie Pony, Florida Horse, Florida Cow Pony or Grass Gut, the Florida Cracker is tied to the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Chickasaw Nation’s Florida roots.

Historically, Florida served as a refuge for enslaved people escaping from other Southern states. Many were welcomed by Native American communities and, later, by the Spanish, making Florida a kind of "sanctuary" long before it became a slave state in 1845. Today, in places like Marion County, descendants of both enslaved people and slaveholders often share the same surnames. U.S. Census records document who the slaveholders were and how many people they enslaved.

Explore the story of the Space Shuttle Columbia’s final mission and the tragedy that unfolded in the skies above Texas. This course examines the critical mistakes made by NASA, the shocking details revealed in the aftermath, and the investigation that uncovered why Columbia broke apart during reentry.

Tourism has been an integral part of Florida's identity and economy since it became part of the US in 1821.  This presentation delves into the variety of Florida tourist attractions throughout the state's history, looking at how natural Florida was marketed to visitors. It examines how things changed dramatically in October 1971 with the opening of Walt Disney World and how tourism affects the state today.