Florida state officials gathered in Tallahassee on Wednesday to seal a time capsule for more than 80 years.
The Statewide Viva Florida 500 Time Capsule has entries from each of Florida's 67 counties. It won't be opened again until March 3, 2095, which will mark the 250th anniversary of Florida's statehood.
Here's a list of every item inside the statewide time capsule:
All Counties
Florida's population and general demographic information for 2013.
Material: Paper
Florida Wildflower Foundation Viva Florida 500 seed packets that were distributed across
the state.
Material: Paper/ seeds
Decals that were distributed to vehicle registrants in 2013 choosing to support the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Manatee fund within the Division of Habitat
and Species Conservation Imperiled Species Management Section.
Material: Paper/ vinyl
24 kt. gold finish limited edition Viva Florida 500 Quincentennial holiday ornament
produced by the Florida Governors Mansion Foundation. This ornament was available
only for the 2012 and 2013 holidays.
Material: Metal
Flyer on the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, including a description of the program and all
inductees through 2013.
Material: Paper
Florida Humanities Council’s FORUM Magazine
Fall 2011 Vol. XXXV, No. 3 and Fall 2012 Vol. XXXVI, No. 2
In the 2011 issue, read how Spanish explorers and colonists claimed Florida, fought off
competitors, established communities and brought lasting cultural influences—and how
modern immigrants have added their imprint to our Hispanic legacy.
In the 2012 issue, read about Florida’s first people. What were they like? How did they
live? What did they believe? Their societies developed on the Florida peninsula for 14,000
years. Why did they vanish after Europeans arrived?
Material: Paper
A limited-edition Floirda Humanities Council poster, signed by acclaimed Florida artist
Christopher Still to commemorate Florida's 500th anniversary.
Material: Paper
First Day of Issue cancellation envelope, coverlet and stamps and commemorative
program from La Florida Stamp unveiling in St. Augustine on April 3, 2013.
Material: Paper
Items produced by the Florida Department of State during 2013:
1) The Viva Florida 500 brochure
2) A Short History of Florida, from 12,000 years before 2013 to the space shuttle program,
which ended in 2011.
3) Exploring Florida children's activity book, with historical paintings by artists Christopher
Still.
4) Florida's Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan, 2013 - 2016
Material: Paper
Copy of the Official Florida Transportation map from 2013, by VISIT FLORIDA and the
Florida Department of Transportation.
Material: Paper
News article and a bone and hemp cordage necklace donated by Expedition Florida 50
team leader, Justin Riney. This authentic hei matau necklace was given to Mr.Riney by a
dear friend for protection during his yearlong Expedition Florida 500. The Maori people of
New Zealand believe the hei matau provides safe passage over water. After
circumnavigating the coastline on a paddleboard the first half of 2013, and then turning
inland to explore many of Florida's freshwater ecosystems, he believes the necklace has
done its job and should be respectfully retired within the Viva Florida 500 time capsule.
Material: Paper and Bone/ Hemp
DVD video of a documentary produced for the Viva Florida 500 commemoration. This
program was shown across the state in spring 2013 and has become available for schools
and general use to share the history and heritage of Florida from 12,000 years before and
through to 2013.
Material: DVD disc
Great Seal of the State of Florida lapel pin.
Material: Metal
2013 Class of Great Floridians brochure.
Material: Paper
"The Next 100 Years," a book by George Friedman. Also includes a note from 2013
Speaker of the House Will Weatherford
Material: Paper
Florida Department of Agriculture Commemorative Coin, submitted by Florida
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam
Material: Metal
President of the Florida Senate entry of Chapter 2013-36 Committee Substitute for
Senate Bill No. 2 “An act relating to ethics; amending s. 112.312, FS.” Also a challenge
coin with the seal of the Florida Senate.
Material: Paper/ metal
Senate Bill 6E - Relating to Biomedical Research Institution, from The Office of Chief
Financial Officer Jeff Atwater.
Material: Paper
Documents submitted by the Office of the Florida Attorney General relating to healthcare
reform that came into effect during 2013. Items titled: “Brief of State Petitioners on
Medicaid,” January 10, 2012 and “Brief for State Respondents on the Minimum Coverage
Provision,” February 6, 2012.
Material: Paper
Proclamation announcing Viva Florida 500 from the Florida Cabinet. Presented by the
Office of Florida Governor Rick Scott.
Material: Paper
2013 Great Floridian Award for Juan Ponce de León. Presented by the Office of Florida
Governor Rick Scott.
Material: Glass
Alachua County
Information regarding Alachua County, including 2013 County Commissioners and
demographic information.
Material: Paper
Baker County
A 2013 library card and information brochure describing how the Emily Taber Public
Library was started.
Material: Plastic/ paper
Bay County
Centennial Coin of Bay County, 1913-2013 presented by the Historical Society of Bay
County and a bag of the world renowned "sugar" sand from a Bay County beach.
Material: Metal/ sand
Bradford County
Photograph from the Thundering Drums Native Gathering 2013 showing First Nations
drummers and staff taking some family time to relax and just enjoy being together.
Material: Digital photograph
Brevard County
Photographs showing:
1) A sand sculpture from the 2013 Art of Sand Festival in Cape Canaveral
2) The concluding performance of an artist residency at Sabal Elementary, Melbourne.
3) The spirit of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra photograph titled "Musicians of the
Brevard Symphony Orchestra on the Beach!" with violinists pictured (from left to right):
Susan Bearden, Bethany Barnhorst Confessore, Jennifer Kitts Guzman. Photo taken
at Indian Harbour Beach.
Material: Digital photograph
Broward County
2013 city calendar celebrating City of Plantation's 60th anniversary as well as
photographs from El Galeón's visit in Bahia Mar Marina. Photographs include:
1) Unveiling of Guy Harvey T-shirt showing (left to right) Antonio Fins, Dr. Rodriguez
Menendez and Steve Stock. Dr. Rodriguez Menendez is a confirmed descendant of
Pedro Menendez de Aviles who settled St. Augustine for Spain in 1565. Antonio Fins and
Steve Stock are Presidents with the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation.
2) Justin Flippen, Broward County native and Viva Florida 500 project manager with the
Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, climbs to the crow's nest of the
Viva Florida 500 El Galeón in May 2013 (photograph by Andy Royston).
Material: Paper/ digital photographs
Calhoun County
The Calhoun County Viva Florida 500 program centered around Chief John Blount, who
was an Indian military officer enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Creek and First
Seminole Wars. Following his service, the Apalachicola Reservation, known as
Blountstown and Spanewadka, was set up just outside of Tallahassee where he led the
Apalachicola Band of Indians as Chief John Blount until the removal of 1830 and the final
treaty selling the land to the state in 1832. A sculpture by Cliff Leonard was completed
and unveiled for permanent display in the foyer at the Blountstown Library. Photograph
shows Chief John Blount's Great-Great Granddaughter and sculptor Cliff Leonard.
Material: Digital photograph
Charlotte County
A music sampler by local musician Jim Morris who sings about Charlotte County and
Southwest Florida.
Material: Music Compact Disc
Citrus County
A brochure about Citrus County from the Citrus County Visitors & Convention Bureau. It
tells a great story about the leisure activities that locals and tourist enjoy in the County
including the unique temperate springs that keep the manatees coming back each winter
making it the site of North America’s largest manatee gathering.
Material: Paper brochure
Clay County
Information regarding Clay County, including 2013 County Commissioners and
demographic information.
Material: Paper
Collier County
A program for the time capsule event held in Collier County which was held on the 90th
anniversary of the County. The time capsule will be opened in 2023 on the 100th birthday
of the County. Collier County partnered with several area parks (Collier Seminole,
Everglades, Big Cypress, Corkscrew Swamp) and organizations (Historical Society,
Conservancy, Botanical Garden, Naples Woman’s Club, Friends of the Library, Seminole
Museum, Collier County Sheriff, Collier County Parks and Recreation, Classic Car
Association) and others for the time capsule.
Material: Paper
Columbia County
Columbia County Public Library 2013 calendar, Celebrating Florida's History and Viva
Florida 500.
Material: Paper
Desoto County
Information regarding Desoto County, including 2013 County Commissioners and
demographic information.
Material: Paper
Dixie County
Dixie County tourism article and photograph showing kayaks along a river in Dixie County.
Material: Paper/ digital photographs
Duval County
On April 30, 2012, the French Navy sailed two goélettes (schooners) into downtown
Jacksonville to commemorate the 450th anniversary of French Huguenot Captain Jean
Ribault’s arrival and the beginning of French history in Florida.
The Etoile and Belle Poule picked up VIP guests in Mayport Village, at the mouth of the
St. Johns River, then made the 20 nautical mile trip to the Jacksonville Landing. The two
schooners received a warm "Welcome on the Water" from Jacksonville residents and city
government officials as they docked. The theme of common history and friendship was
reinforced by the ships themselves, each flying the U.S. flag alongside their native French
tricolor. This photograph shows the Etoile and Belle Poule docked at the Jacksonville
Landing. Next to the crew and two Captains (wearing white uniforms) stands (left to
right): Honorary French Consul in Jacksonville Francois Kloc, Consul General of France
to Miami Gaël de Maisonneuve, Secretary of State Ken Detzner, Mayor of Jacksonville
Alvin Brown.
Also included is a return on investment document for the city's investments in the arts in
2013. This brochure is used to advocate for public funding for arts and culture.
Material: Paper/ digital photographs
Escambia County
Photograph of the Viva Florida 500 Spinnaker Sail and pages from the Viva Florida 500
Navy Cup brochure.
Material: Paper
Flagler County
Photo of a Flagler County beach.
Material: Digital photograph
Franklin County
News article from the New York Times describing the 2013 water issues documented in
the Apalachicola Bay which has led to a fisheries collapse and "water wars" documented
nationally. Also a photographic collection showing Apalachicola photographer Richard
Bickell's work about "the Last Great Bay," showing Apalachicola's famed oystermen.
Material: Paper
Gadsden County
Information regarding Gadsden County, including 2013 County Commissioners and
demographic information. Also a photograph of the Chattahoochee landing taken in 2013.
Material: Paper/ digital photographs
Gilchrist County
The seal of Gilchrist County depicting both its geography and its culture based in farming,
timber, and outdoor recreation.
Material: Paper
Glades County
Brochure from a Viva Florida 500 Exhibit titled "We Were Here," which traveled to several
counties in South Florida during 2013, including Glades.
Material: Paper
Gulf County
Cape San Blas lighthouse documentation regarding the relocation of the physical
lighthouse to Port St. Joe. Also photographs showing the devastation to the coastline
following Hurricane Isaac in 2012.
Material: Paper/ digital photographs
Hamilton County
Photographs from Florida Folk Festival in White Springs, in May 2013. Artists performed
in the Florida Folklife program area include "Kez," a graffiti artist from Jacksonville and
Ann Yao, a Heritage Award winner and nationally acclaimed Zheng master. Photographs
show:
1) Dancers in the folk life area
2)"Kez" writing the Folklife tag, later displayed at the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee.
3) Secretary of State Ken Detzner and State Folklorist Blaine Waide stand in front of
"Kez's" piece hung on the north wall of the R.A. Gray Building lobby, in June 2013.
4) Ann Yao playing the Zheng at the 2013 Folk Festival in White Springs.
Material: Digital photographs
Hardee County
Badge from Hardee County showing the founding date of 1921
Material: Textile
Hendry County
Resolution number 2013-22 from the Board of County Commissioners of Hendry County
recognizing 2013 as Florida's 500th anniversary.
Material: Paper
Hernando County
Florida Library Association 2013 Library of the Year Award poster.
Material: Paper
Highlands County
In May 2013, Highlands County dedicated its Viva 500 Time Capsule and placed it to be
opened in May 2063. Enclosed are a series of photographs depicting the time capsule at
center stage of the dedication, being sealed and placed into its resting spot, and of the
bronze plaque marking the spot in the Government Center foyer. (Photographs by Jodie
Thayer).
Material: Paper
Hillsborough County County
News article discussing the controversial proposed demolition of the "Bro Bowl" at the
Perry Harvey Sr. Park in the City of Tampa. Photograph of the skate park.
Material: Paper/ digital photographs
Holmes County
Holmes County Viva Florida events and photos.
Material: Paper
Indian River County
National Register Nomination, accepted by the United States Department of the interior in
2013, for the Treasure Hammock Ranch Farmstead in Vero Beach.
Material: Paper
Jackson County
1) Information regarding Jackson County, including 2013 County Commissioners and
demographic information.
2) Photograph of the Bellamy Bridge, which crosses the Chipola River. The Bellamy
Bridge heritage trail opened to the public in 2012. The old iron structure is thought to be
haunted and has claimed several lives along the trail. Its history dates back to Marcos
Delgado crossing the Chipola River where the bridge stands in 1686. It is also a battle
field from the first Seminole War where General Andrew Jackson crossed the Chipola
River.
Material: Paper/ digital photographs
Jefferson County
Photographs of the brochure for the 63rd annual Watermelon Festival held in 2013 and a
photograph of the Wacissa River in Jefferson County. The Wacissa River was designated
by AmericanTrails.org, the worlds’ largest online trails resource, as an “Outstanding
Florida Waterway.” The pristine waters are fed by twelve springs and recreational
opportunities abound in the form of swimming, fishing and boating. The diverse array of
wildlife that can be encountered includes otters, birds, snakes and alligators.
Material: Digital photograph
Lafayette County
Lafayette Board of County Commissioners Resolution 2013-4-1-1 Commemorating
Florida's 500th anniversary in partnership with the State of Florida.
Material: Paper
Lake County
Document with a summary and photographs of the City of Eustis 2013 time capsule burial
ceremony on December 5, 2013, and an outline of the time capsule contents.
Material: Paper
Lee County
An alphabet cone shell from the beaches of Sanibel.
Material: Shell
Leon County
1) Blended Lives passport and brochure for the 2013 program "A Route in Search of
Roots." Blended Lives is a program offered to 4th graders in greater Tallahassee
annually. The theme in 2013 was Florida in the Civil War 1860-1865. This passport is
used as children visit important historic sites and museums in Tallahassee that partner
with the John G. Riley Museum on the Blended Lives program. John G. Riley House
Museum and the Florida African-American Heritage Preservation Network also designed
and traveled an exhibition with information about 500 years of Black history in Florida.
2) A harmonica, music compact disc and photograph all relating the The Museum of
Florida History’s staff band. Among other venues, the band plays together at events held
at the Florida Department of State.
3) Tallahassee Visitors Guide for 2013.
Material: Paper/ metal/ music compact disc
Levy County
Brochure from Visit Levy County
Material: Paper
Liberty County
Rick Smith signing copies of his father's book "A Land Remembered," at the Veterans
Memorial Civic Center in Bristol, Florida on November 20, 2013 to celebrate Viva Florida
500.
Material: Digital photograph
Madison County
Resolution 2013-04-17C from the Board of County Commissioners for Madison County,
expressing their support of the Viva Florida 500 initiative and recognizing 2013 as the 500
year anniversary.
Material: Paper
Manatee County County
The Manatee County time capsule sealing ceremony brochure
and a Viva Florida 500 program flyer showing the many Viva Florida 500 programs held
through the Manatee County Public Library during 2013.
Material: Paper
Marion County
Information regarding Marion County, including 2013 County Commissioners and
demographic information.
Material: Paper
Martin County
Digital Photographs showing:
1) The Indiantown library and community members welcomed a Smithsonian exhibit in
October 2013 called Journey Stories. The exhibit depicted how ancestors came to
America and explored how these experiences helped shape theidentity of our country.
The submitted photo was taken by David Opasik at the Journey Stories grand opening on
October 19, 2013.
2) Photograph from the April 2, 2013, Viva Florida 500 Fiesta at the Town of Jupiter Island
showing street side signage used to advertise the Fiesta designed by Town resident Jane
Davis Doggett.
3) Photograph from the April 2, 2013, Viva Florida 500 Fiesta at the Town of Jupiter Island
showing town resident Tim Carew portraying Ponce de Leon and lead the parade in his
galleon float.
Material: Digital photographs
Miami-Dade County
One of the 500 porcelain flowers in the "500" exhibit at Biscayne Nature Center as part of
the "500" participatory art project designed for 2013 and Viva Florida 500. Cortada's "500"
exhibit at Key Biscayne's Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Preserve included
an installation of 500 porcelain sculptures depicting Florida's native wildflowers-- the same
ones that grew in our state when Juan Ponce de Leon landed in 1513 and named it "La
Florida”–from "flor," the Spanish word for flower. Also includes a postcard about the
exhibit.
Material: Ceramic/ digital photograph/ paper
Monroe County
Song and video produced by Howard Livingston with James Slatter for Key West's 500
Year Celebration and the Viva Florida 500 effort. It hopes to impress Key West as a
historically "magical" place that still has plenty of mystery and magic in 2013.
Material: DVD disc
Nassau County
The Amelia Island Museum of History hosted a Viva Florida 500 Weekend Celebration on
September 27 and 28, 2013. The weekend included historic tours of the Old Town Gate
by the Amelia Island Genealogical Society, re-enactors depicting Fernandina’s Spanish
Colonial period, a recreation of a typical lot (or Peonia) as mandated by the Spanish Law
of the Indies, Spanish Flamenco dance performance and a presentation on Spanish
Colonial Foodways by Cathy Parker. The weekend culminated with a moving Middle
Passage Ceremony (pictured) featuring Queen Quet of the Gullah Geechee and honoring
the many slaves who died on the journey from Africa to the New World. Also included is a
photograph of the sign for the Old Town of Fernandina.
Material: Digital photograph
Okaloosa County
1) Baker Block Museum--Sheila Moors spins sheep wool on the porch of an 1860's log
cabin during the Baker Block Museum's annual Heritage Day on November 2, 2013 in
Baker, Florida.
2) A commemorative Viva Florida 500 prize coin from the Okaloosa County Public Library
Cooperative, who devised a Heritage Geocache Trail, for which this coin was a prize.
Geocaching is a popular outdoor treasure hunt using GPS-enabled devices (Global
Positioning Systems) to navigate to a specific set of geographic coordinates. A hidden
"cache" at the coordinates contain a log book for finders to sign. Eight caches were
hidden near historic points of interest in Okaloosa County; each cache contained a
historical question. To earn the prize coin, participants had to find at least 6 of the 8
caches and record the answer to the question on a trail passport, which they would then
download from the Internet. Passports were exchanged for prize coins at the six member
libraries of the Okaloosa Cooperative.
Material: Digital photograph/ metal
Okeechobee County
Information regarding Okeechobee County, including 2013 County Commissioners and
demographic information as well as important events from 2013.
Material: Paper
Orange County
1) A front cover of the first edition of the Orange County Public Library Books & Beyond
Newsletter and a USB stick containing all 12 issues from 2013. Each month, the
newsletter published information about Viva Florida 500 programs offered at the libraries
in 2013 as part of the historic milestone.
2) A photograph taken outside the Orange County Administration Center on April 11,
2013. The event celebrated the 500th anniversary of the “discovery” of Florida, where a
Viva Florida 500 time capsule was made available for the public to submit items
descriptive of everyday life in 2013. In the photograph are Orange County Mayor Teresa
Jacobs (center), Orange County Commissioners Pete Clarke, Jennifer Thompson, and
Scott Boyd. Also in the photograph are students from the Lake Eola Charter School; Mary
Anne Hodel, CEO of the Orange County Library System; Sara Van Arsdel, Executive
Director of the Orange County Regional History Center; community representatives Lt.
Col. Dennis Freytes (USA Ret.) and Palmira Ubiñas; as well as actors depicting Juan
Ponce de Leon and Native American. The children are holding drawings of what they
believe life will be like in 2063, the year in which the time capsule will be opened.
Material: Paper/ digital photographs
Osceola County County
Information on the opening of the new West Osceola Branch Library on February 9, 2013.
Material: Paper
Palm Beach County County
A paper copy of a book created and placed in the Palm Beach County time capsule, to be
opened in 2068. The book shares a snapshot of life in the City of West Palm Beach in
2013 and includes a letter from Mayor Jeri Muoio and Library Director Chris Murray.
Additionally photographs and a program from various events for Viva Florida 500 in Palm
Beach County:
1) A mosaic mural created by students at Toussaint L'Ouverture High School for Arts and
Social Justice in Delray Beach, together with Haitian youth from Art Creation Foundation
For Children in Jacmel Haiti. The mural is an artistic statement of thank you for all of the
assistance given by the people of Florida to those of Haiti during times of disaster.
2) Picture of Seminole Maroon Descendant, Wallis Hamm Tinnie, Ph.D. taken at
Loxahatchee Battlefield during the 175th anniversary Seminole Maroon Commemoration,
January 19, 2013. Also includes a commemorative program from this event (paper copy)
3) Photograph from a special Viva Florida 500 Animal Antics program for children called
"They Sailed by Wooden Ships and Explored Florida's Flora & Fauna!" at the Mandel
Public Library of West Palm Beach. Kids created origami ships and landed them on
Florida's East Coast.
Material: Paper/ digital photographs
Pasco County County
Photograph of Rick Smith in front of the Pasco County Library sign advertising his very
popular programs about his Father's classic book, “A Land Remembered.” Hudson and
Dade City were lucky enough to host his multimedia presentation "Florida is a Land
Remembered" in October as part of Viva Florida 500.
Material: Digital photograph
Pinellas County
A DVD with video report of the Viva Florida 500 event for the public with dedication of
Pinellas County time capsule staged at Heritage Village, Largo, which is Pinellas County's
living history museum. Also, a photograph from the 50th anniversary of Fort De Soto
Park, taken May 11, 2013.
Material: Digital photograph/ DVD
Polk County
Photo of time capsule being sealed and decorated at the Polk History Center in Bartow on
September 14, 2013. This time capsule is to be opened in 25 years and contains art work
and objects made by Polk County children during summer 2013.
Material: Digital photograph
Putnam County
Putnam County Proclamation number 2013-21, recognizing and proclaiming 2013 as
Florida's 500 year anniversary.
Material: Paper
Santa Rosa County County
A photo of the items placed in the local time capsule at the Santa Rosa County time
capsule sealing ceremony. The ceremony was held at the Jay Historical Society and
Museum in Jay on September 19, 2013.
Santa Rosa County is a diverse county with rivers, forests, and beaches and an equally
diverse population. Each community was represented in the time capsule to allow future
citizens to view their county through the eyes of its current citizens. The items included
from the communities are as follows:
Gulf Breeze: Menu items from local restaurants, excerpts from a book about GB, and a
flash drive containing photos of the GB/Navarre area
Jay: Cotton bolls to represent agriculture, a piece of metered mail, a flash drive containing
photos of the area
Milton: A replica of a canoe representing Milton as the Canoe Capital of Florida, a coin
depicting the county seal on one side and Veteran’s Memorial on the other, brochures
from Blackwater River State Park
Navarre: A small turtle to represent the focus on turtle conservation, a vial of white sand,
and photos of the butterfly house located in Navarre
Pace: A lanyard from an elementary school to emphasize the importance of Pace schools,
Patches from the Pace Patriots to highlight athletic pride, and a helicopter to represent the
military presence in the community
Library Administration: A Santa Rosa County library card, a county directory, a thumb
drive containing the items in the collection.
Material: Digital photograph
Sarasota County
Sarasota County Library staff worked all year with members of the County’s Historical
Commission on the Viva Florida Time Capsule committee. The conclusion of their hard
work came with the ceremony and interment of two Time Capsules (one specifically for
flat documents) on Saturday December 14, 2013, at the Historic Spanish Point Visitors
Center in Osprey. The program included bagpipers (paying homage to the county’s
Scottish ancestors) and featured speaker Delilah Wallenda, aerialist, who spoke of the
Wallenda family’s legacy in the county. Her son, Sarasota county resident Nik Wallenda,
captured the world’s attention with his crossing of the Grand Canyon in 2013. Nik
graciously provided a piece of the cable used in the crossing to be included in the Time
Capsule. Pictures from the ceremony included are: Bagpipers, Delilah Wallenda, Time
Capsule Capstone, Time Capsule committee members, and a copy of the program from
the ceremony.
Material: Paper/ digital photographs
Seminole County
Copy of the book, "Happy Birthday, Florida! (1513-2013)" by writer/illustrator Mary Dall.
This book was also chosen to be put in the Seminole County (East Branch) Library Time
Capsule in April 2013. This book of fun poetry for children and adults presents much of
Florida's flora, fauna, symbols, and attractions in a delightful, refreshing way meant to
educate and entertain.
Also included is a digital photograph of an original 18" x 24" oil painting created "en plein
air" or on location, by artist Brenda Hofreiter. This painting depicts the last working
orange grove on Maitland Boulevard in Seminole County. It shows the vanishing
agricultural past of Seminole County's citrus industry and it's last vestige.
Material: Paper/ digital photographs
St Johns County
St Augustine - El Galeon was a unique replica of the 16th Century Spanish galleons. The
Viva Florida 500 Voyage brought the breathtaking majesty of a replica Spanish sailing
vessel used in early Colonial times to four ports on Florida’s east coast in 2013. With
information about 16th century European sailing techniques and technology, as well as
important Florida history exhibits from the Florida Department of State, El Galeón told the
500 year story since the arrival of Juan Ponce de León on the eastern shore of Florida.
Photographs show:
1) Secretary of State Ken Detzner admires the official ship name at the St. Augustine
Marina.
2) (L-R) Secretary of State Ken Detzner; Representative Ronald "Doc" Renuart (district
17, R); Enrique Torres, Foundación Nao Victoria; Glenn Hastings, Executive Director of
the St. Johns Tourism Development Council; St. Augustine Mayor Joseph Boles; Dana
Ste. Claire, Director of Heritage Tourism and Historic Preservation for the City of St.
Augustine; City Manager John Reagan. Aboard El Galeón May 31, 2013.
―――
Photographs from the Ponce de León Celebration from April 6, 2013. Puerto Rican
Dancers in the Historic District of St. Augustine.
―――
Photographs from April 2 and 3, 2013 - the official commemoration for "Viva Florida 500
Week:"
1) Early morning cannon firing ceremony at Castillo San Marcos (L-R) Attorney General
Pam Bondi, Governor Rick Scott, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Commissioner
of Agriculture Adam Putnam with reenactors.
2) Landing of reenactors, led by Chad Light as Juan Ponce de León.
3) Unveiling of the La Florida Stamp (L-R) Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner, Chad
Light (appearing as Ponce de León), United States Postal Service Representative Evelyn
Fleming, United States Senator Bill Nelson, Mayor of St. Augustine Joseph Boles,
President of Flagler College William Abarre.
Material: Digital photographs
St. Lucie County
1) Iconic image of Royal Poinsettia tree by Florida Highwayman James Gibson (digital
photograph) and information about about entire group of artists included in the canon
(paper). The "Florida Highwaymen" is the collective name given to a small group of African
American painters from Ft. Pierce, who began painting Florida landscapes in the late
1950s.
2) Commemorative coin from the St. Lucie Centennial in 2005.
Material: Paper/ digital photographs/ metal
Sumter County
Information about the ribbon cutting ceremony on November 26, 2013 for the Sumter
County Historic Courthouse interior and exterior renovation. Beginning in January 2014,
the Sumter Board of County Commissioners board meetings will relocate from the Sumter
County Government Offices to the historic courtroom. The first meeting to be held at the
new location will be January 14, 2014.
Material: Paper
Suwannee County
Photograph of the Bellamy Road, Charles Spring, which is thought to be a part of the Old
Spanish Mission Trail. Also a photograph showing the placemat used during a dinner held
for Suwannee County Commissioners in honor of Viva Florida 500.
Material: Digital photograph/ Photographic paper
Taylor County
Memento from the successful Taylor County Public Library Viva Florida project.
1) A key chain with "Open a Book, Open a Mind, and Open a Future." written on it.
Material: Plastic/ metal
The Seminole Tribe of Florida
A challenge coin forged to commemorate the first reenactment of the escape of Polly
Parker from a steamship bound for Indian territory in present day Oklahoma. Polly Parker
got away from her captors on May 5, 1858, and walked back to Okeechobee where she
became a progenitor of some of The Tribe’s most important leaders in the twentieth and
twenty-first centuries. The coin was submitted by Secretary of State Ken Detzner.
Material: Metal
Union County
Event program and program insert showing time capsule contents for Viva Florida 500
time capsule celebration in Union County on October 1, 2013.
Photographs showing:
1) Cakes from Viva Florida 500 celebration, celebrated on Union County’s 92nd
anniversary
2) A display case at Union County Public Library showing time capsule in place and local
historical pieces on loan from the Union County Museum.
Material: Paper/ digital photographs
Volusia County
Four commemorative envelopes affixed with the La Florida Stamp, cancelled on
Lighthouse day (April 20, 2013) with a special hand stamp for Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, and
a Volusia County lapel pin
Material: Paper/ metal
Wakulla County
During 2013, a special visit was made by members of The Seminole Tribe of Florida to
the San Marcos de Apalache State Park in St. Marks, Wakulla County. The photograph
shows Tribal members with State and local officials
(L-R) Willie Johns, Tribal Historian; Norman "Skeeter" Bowers, Special Assistant to
Chairman James E. Billie; Bobby Henry, Medicine Man; Secretary of State Ken Detzner;
Mayor of St. Marks Charles "Chuck" Shields; Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Paul
Backhouse; Edna Bowers, Director of Florida State Parks Donald Forgione; Tara
Backhouse, Collections Manager for the Ah-Tah-Thi-ki Seminole Indian Museum; Florida
Deputy Secretary of State Kerri Post, District Park Manager Rob Lacy; City of St. Marks
Manager Zoe Mansfield. Photo by Rachel Basan Porter.
Material: Digital photograph
Walton County
Resolution 2013-18 from the Walton County Board of County Commissioners designating
2013 as the 500th anniversary of the European discovery of Florida.
Material: Paper
Washington County
Images showing demolition of the water tower in Chipley on May 21, 2013.
Material: Paper