Florida History   

Did you know that there is a museum in Ocala that has more than 13,000 years of local history under its roof? Participants are invited to take a tour of the museum and not only learn about the rich history of our county, but the building that houses the museum also. Those who attend the tour will receive an introduction to the museum in the lobby, and then be given free time to go at their own pace around the museum with guides walking around to answer any questions.

Participants will drive to the museum on-own: 307 SE 26th Terrace, Ocala, FL  34471

The tour will start at 10:30am so plan to arrive between 10:15-10:25am. Due to the intimate size of the museum, registration is limited to 15 people.

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.

Stephen King. Tennessee Williams. Ernest Hemingway. Carl Hiaasen. All these writers had- or have- a home in Florida. Take a virtual road trip to visit homes and famous places along Florida's Literary Trail and learn about the history and culture of these different towns.

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.

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.

Florida historically was a refugee for enslaved people, escaping the slave states to be welcomed by native people here and eventually the Spanish. Florida entered the Union as a slave state, 1845, and the last state to be infamously designated. Currently, descendants of slaveholders and enslaved people in Marion County often share the same surname of residents in Marion County today.

Learn about the ties famed Triple Crown winning racehorses have to Florida, and specifically Marion County. Your instructor will share tales of the turf and share interesting tidbits about each champion and how Florida contributed to their legacy.