Online

Florida Front and Center: Objects That Define Florida

Books and exhibitions on U.S. history often neglect to peer into Florida’s past, even though the experiences of Spaniards, West Africans, Calusa Indians, and other Floridians profoundly shaped the history of the Atlantic World. Florida Front and Center flips this script and opens the curtain on people, events, and objects from Florida’s history to bring Floridians’ experiences to the front and center of our collective understanding of the past.

But don’t just take our word for it. Explore the objects below! From the toothy jaws of a prehistoric whale to a stroll through the Magic Kingdom, when it comes to understanding America’s past, this online exhibition propels Florida’s history to the front of the line!

Florida Front and Center is sponsored by Nancy & Bob Bolt.

35 million years ago to 1500 Prehistoric Florida

Zygorhiza Skull and Jaws

35 million years ago

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Marco Cat

500-1500 years ago

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1511 - 1821 Colonial Florida

First Map of Florida?

1511

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Saint Francis of Assisi Medallion

circa 1600

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Transatlantic Slave Trade Leg Shackles

circa 1700

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Fort Mose (Forte Negro)

1763

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British Hand Carved Powder Horn

circa 1775

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1821 - 1912 Territorial, Civil War, and Early Industrial Florida

Hillsborough County Clerk Day Book

1837-1846

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Salt Works Receipt From Hillsborough County

1864

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Leather Cattle Whip

circa 1870

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Three Friends

1895

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Order of the Railway Conductor’s Commemorative Ribbon

1895

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1912 - 1971 The Mid-20th Century Boom

Bathing Suit

circa 1920

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Seminole Doll

circa 1940

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War Department Identification Card for Mary E. Young

1945

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Scheu Products Company Smudge Pot

circa 1950

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‘Moon’ is Born: The Story of Project Vanguard

1957

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Alligator Pepper Shaker

circa 1965

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1971 - Today Contemporary Florida

Eastern Airlines Presents the Magic Kingdom

1971

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Mitt Romney Puppet

2012

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Cuban Chug Boat

2021

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