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At the Jacksonville Historical Society, we’re making history every day. Our monthly Speakers Series offers in-depth information on surprising and diverse aspects of our city’s past, and our fun Pop Up events are designed to bring attention to the forgotten history buried in our own back yard. Throughout the year, we also lead countless school groups on “insider tours” of our city’s most significant landmarks and events. Why don’t you join us?

May
21
Tue
2019
Jacksonville: Florida’s Tourist Mecca and Its Grand Hotels – 1869 to 1926
May 21 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Description
Please note – this event is being held at St. John’s Cathedral, Taliaferro Hall, 256 East Church Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202

6:00pm Reception

6:30pm JHS Annual Meeting

6:45pm JHS Announcement of 2019 Endangered Historic Sites

7:00pm Jacksonville: Florida’s Tourist Mecca and Its Grand Hotels – 1869 to 1926

Following the Civil War, Jacksonville became the most attractive winter vacation destination on the nation’s east coast. Throughout America, Jacksonville was known as “The Winter City in a Summer Land.” During the season, the town was filled to capacity with its population doubling. Along with the tourists came great hotels, which were remarkable for their architecture and amenities. Mild winter evenings were filled with orchestra music pouring from the windows of these grand hotels, wafting through streets as visitors promenaded in moonlight.

Well-known historian, civic advocate and JHS board member, Dr. Wayne Wood, will take us on a trip back through time to revisit this amazing era in Jacksonville’s history. Dr. Wood is known for his entertaining insights into Jacksonville’s architecture and history. His program will be heavily illustrated with rarely seen images of the era when our city reigned supreme as the nation’s winter playground. The presentation will also include stories of the large downtown hotels built after the Fire of 1901, such as the Mayflower, George Washington, and Seminole, which still existed until recent decades.

JHS members receive free admissions. Suggested donation of $10 for non-members. Become a JHS member here.

The JHS Speakers Series is underwritten through the generous support of Retina Associates, Fred H. Lambrou, M.D. and H. Alexander Leder, M.D.

Nov
18
Mon
2019
Jacksonville Terminal Centennial Celebration
Nov 18 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Guest speaker, Clarence Gooden, will lead this tribute to the legacy of the Jacksonville Terminal.

Reservations requested at Eventbrite.

Feb
3
Mon
2020
Florida’s First Historically Black College: 154 Years of Jacksonville’s Edward Waters College
Feb 3 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Commemorating Black History Month, the Jacksonville Historical Society will present “Florida’s First Historically Black College: 154 Years of Jacksonville’s Edward Waters College” at its February Speaker Series event, Monday, Feb. 3. Social hour 6 p.m., speaker 7 p.m. at the Milne Auditorium on the campus. The talk by Dr. David Jamison will explore how changes over time at Edward Waters also reflected broader social changes occurring over the same time in Jacksonville.

Mar
18
Wed
2020
Speaker Series: Remarkable Women in North Florida History
Mar 18 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Past JHS Executive Director Emily R. Lisska will share insights about remarkable women in North Florida History at a Lunch & Learn event during Women’s History Month. Doors open at 11 a.m., lecture begins at noon. Old St. Andrews, 317 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. Box lunches must be reserved; details to follow.

Apr
23
Thu
2020
Speaker Series: Joseph Lee, Jacksonville’s First Black Lawyer
Apr 23 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

The Honorable Brian J. Davis, United States District Court Judge, will be the guest speaker at the Jacksonville Historical Society’s April Speaker Series program. Davis’ topic will focus on Joseph E. Lee, Jacksonville’s first black lawyer. The event begins with a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by Judge Davis at 7 p.m. Free to JHS members; $10 suggested donation for non-members.

THE JACKSONVILLE HISTORY CENTER