The nation’s first Underground Railroad was established in Florida in the late 17th century, serving as a beacon of freedom for runaway slaves from the American South. Existing before the better-known Northern Underground Railroad, enslaved Africans gained their freedom by escaping and earning asylum in Spanish Florida. This presentation focuses on Florida’s early history as a Spanish territory, the escape routes used by runaway slaves, and the black communities they established before the abolition of slavery in the United States.

Magdalena Lamarre was a Full Professor of History and Sociology at Miami-Dade College. Since her retirement in 2016, she has been giving lectures on Florida’s history, culture, diversity, and social justice. Lamarre earned a BA in History and Secondary Education from Hunter College, an MA in History Education from Stony Brook University, and completed post-graduate work in Sociology and Education at Florida International University.

Registration is required. The parking fee for participants will be waived at the park entrance when you tell the park attendant you will be attending the Historic Lunch and Learn event. Lunch will be provided by the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust while supplies last.

Funding for this Florida Talks program is provided in part by Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.