Florida offers a treasury of World War II museums and sites, both to serious researchers and the casual history buff. By Jon Wilson As the anniversary of the war-ending VJ Day is recognized Aug. 15, followed by the commemoration of Japan’s official surrender on Sept. 2, 1945, expect another…
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By Chelle Koster Walton A primer on the history of Florida from 10,000 B.C. to the present. Hop aboard the Florida "way-back" machine to visit rousing eras of wooly mammoths, Native Americans, brave conquistadores, pirates, pioneers, geniuses, millionaires, astronauts and heroes. Here are a few…
Read MoreBy Dalia Colón From civil rights and education to sports and the arts, African-Americans have influenced every sphere of life in Florida. Here are some of the Sunshine State’s brightest lights and where you can learn more about them. John Gilmore Riley (1857–1954) During the late 19th and early 20th…
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By Jodi Mailander Farrell Florida learned to speak Spanish before it spoke English. The state’s connection to the Hispanic world dates back centuries, even before the founding of the United States, but today its Latin ties can be traced to modern migrations by Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans…
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By Jodi Mailander Farrell African American history and culture has shaped Florida history for centuries, from free Africans who came with the Spanish to found a 1565 settlement to “wade-in” beach protests in the 1960s that fueled the Civil Rights Movement. Harlem Renaissance author Zora Neale…
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African American landmarks and legacies can be found at a variety of sites Jacksonville and Duval County. While some of these sites can be visited, other listings are marked "private" and are not open to the public. 1960s Civil Rights Historic Site Marker Hemming Square, Downtown Jacksonville On…
Read MoreThe Stetson Mansion, a stunning 10,000-square-foot Victorian listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, was Florida's first luxury estate. By Sandra Ketcham When John B. Stetson (he of hat-making fame) wanted a large winter home for his family, first he chose the central Florida town…
Read MoreBy Kevin McGeever ST. PETERSBURG -- It is impossible to exaggerate the allure of the Salvador Dalí Museum. Here is a cultural experience of international renown: the mind-bending works of one of the most pioneering and discussed artists of the 20th century. The building that houses this collection…
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Finding a creative place where children can play is a joy – for kids, who get to explore, and for parents, who know that hands-on artistic experiences deliver valuable learning opportunities. By Jodi Mailander Farrell “I think it’s essential to expose your children to the arts in order to educate…
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By Kara Franker The Wynwood Arts District, named one of America's best hipster neighborhoods by Forbes Magazine, is like no other area in Miami -- or anywhere for that matter. Developers transformed once lifeless warehouse buildings into a vibrant outdoor museum, featuring giant walls of…
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