Florida’s Secretary of State Kurt Browning speaks during the FHC Scholar Summit on the 2013 Quincentennial. Click here to see more Florida 2013 videos.
In 1513, Ponce de Leon landed on the east coast of Florida, quite possibly near the very site where the United States now launches its modern day explorers into space. In 2013 Floridians will commemorate the 500th year of Spain’s relationship with Florida. The Florida Humanities Council will design and develop resources and public programs for this commemoration, which will provide Floridians with a deeper understanding of both the historical context and the cultural significance of Florida’s relationship with Spain.
Progress To Date
October 30, 2009 Scholar Summit Nearly 40 scholars and representatives of cultural organizations were present for a major brainstorming session on FHC’s new initiative on Florida’s upcoming Quincentennial in 2013. Panelists weighed in on panel topics ranging from Colonial Spanish Florida to modern Florida immigration. The comments will inform FHC’s planning in the years leading up to the Quincentennial and help to shape upcoming Request for Proposals for FHC grants. Video of panelists’ comments are available on FHC’s YouTube channel at: http://www.flahum.org/youtube.
Title for FHC’s Initiative A popular topic of discussion at the scholar summit was the title by which FHC should refer to its newest initiative. Currently labeled the “Florida-Spain” initiative, FHC is working on a title that includes reference to Spain, the 1513 date of Ponce de Leon’s arrival in Florida, and the 2013 commemoration year. A new title should be in use by early 2010.
Moving Forward
Grants
2010: In January the grants committee of the FHC board will determine the final parameters of the Request for Proposals for 2010 grants related to the Quincentennial. The RFP should be released in early February.
2011-2013: FHC will continue, at some level, to fund grants on this topic until the 2013 commemorative year is complete.
2010: Beginning in January of 2010 FHC will offer a limited Speakers Bureau related to the initiative. The speakers, listed below, will be available for programs through May of 2010. Click here for more information on booking a Road Scholar:
Winter/Spring 2010 Road Scholars • Carrie Sue Ayvar – Stories of Florida – Con Sabor! • Paul Dosal – Florida and the Caribbean: From Ponce de Leon to Hugo Chavez • Paul Dosal - A Weekend in Havana: Tourism between Florida and Cuba in the 1950s • Chaz Mena – “Charla,” A Chat with José Martí • Chaz Mena – Menéndez: Claiming La Florida for King and Cross • Alex Stepick – Immigration’s Impact on Florida and the U.S.
2011: During the summer FHC will begin working on a new slate of speakers to tour the state in the winter of 2010/2011. FHC may commission new lectures and Chautauqua performers on topics of relevance to the Quincentennial.
2012-2013: FHC will continue to include speakers related to the Quincentennial throughout 2011 and 2012, and likely will offer an exclusive Quincentennial-focused slate of speakers again in 2013.
Teachers Center
2010: In the summer of 2010 FHC will offer its popular teachers seminar “Between Columbus and Jamestown: Spanish St. Augustine.” Two week-long seminars will be offered in St. Augustine during the dates of:
2011: FHC plans to expand the focus of the St. Augustine seminar for the summer of 2011 to explore not just colonial St. Augustine but colonial Florida at large, with special focus on Pensacola and the extensive mission system in northern Florida.
2012-2013: FHC will continue to offer its Spanish Colonial Florida seminars during the summers of 2012 and 2013.
Forum Magazine
2010/2011: In the fall of 2010 FHC will begin work on an issue of Forum Magazine focusing on the Quincentennial, to be issued in the spring of 2011.
2012-2013: FHC will likely release a second issue of Forum Magazine related to the Quincentennial sometime in 2013.
If you are not already receiving FORUM, click here to buy the current issue of FORUM for $5 and receive a one-year subscription FREE!
The Gathering
Sometime between 2011 and 2013 FHC will offer a cultural tour to Spain to explore the 500 year relationship between Florida and her colonial founder. The itinerary for this scholar led, FHC organized trip will likely include visits to the Archives of the Indies in Seville; the town of Aviles – the sister city to St. Augustine, Florida and home of Pedro Menendez, discoverer of St. Augustine; and the region of Asturias, from which many Florida immigrants of the 20th century originated.
2011: In 2010 FHC will begin planning for the creation of a major public television documentary on the 500 year relationship between Florida and Spain, with an anticipated release date of 2013.
Website
FHC is also exploring the idea of an interdisciplinary website focused on the topic, likely featuring resources for teachers, primary documents, video, audio, and other content related to the many facets of the 500 year relationship between Florida and Spain.
Resources
Spanish Colonial St. Augustine Website Provides content and classroom materials pertaining to Florida’s Spanish colonial heritage. The site includes materials on Native American life, early exploration, settlement, missions, Fort Mose, and much more. Everything on this site — artwork, readings, primary sources, etc. — may be reproduced freely for use in schools.
The World of Florida’s Spanish Colonial Past Poster This colorful poster booklet, which chronicles Spanish colonial history in Florida in relationship to American history, was created by FHC for use by teachers in the classroom. The 22”x25.5” poster side includes a timeline of Florida history from 1565 to 1821, highlighting major events from the colonial period. The reverse side contains additional information for students to gain a clearer understanding of the Spanish colonial experience in America and frontier life in America’s oldest city, St. Augustine.
To download a FREE PDF version of The World of Florida’s Spanish Colonial Past poster click below: For poster in English, click here. For poster in Spanish, click here.
Forum Magazine Spring 2005 This 2005 issue of our popular magazine Forum explores “St. Augustine: An Ancient City in a State of Change.” To download, click here.
