Celebrating Fifty Years of Florida Humanities

Your stories. Our history.

For half a century, Florida Humanities has been at the forefront of championing the importance of the humanities in our state, fostering a deep understanding of our multitude of cultures, traditions, and stories. Our lives, our communities and our history create a rich tapestry of human experiences that illuminate our shared connections, enrich our knowledge and shape a brighter future for Florida. Join us to celebrate 50 years of being committed to preserving, promoting and sharing the history, literature, cultures and stories of Florida. Thank you to everyone who has believed in our mission, and we hope you will continue to support us during this special year and beyond!

50 Years with 50 Stories!

As part of Florida Humanities’ 50th anniversary year, we published Once Upon a Time in Florida: Stories of Life in the Land of Promises to bring together curated articles from our ongoing, award-winning magazine, FORUM.

A milestone anthology of fascinating and thought-provoking Florida-related stories, the impressive 300+ page coffee table book Once Upon a Time in Florida explores the places, cultures, and events that have shaped the state from prehistoric times to the present. With 50 stories and over 150 images vividly rendered by some of the nation’s most acclaimed writers and scholars, Once Upon a Time in Florida is a must-have book for anyone who calls Florida home or simply enjoys history and great storytelling.

From November 2023 through May 1, 2024, we hosted a statewide book tour featuring Once Upon a Time editor Jacki Levine, scholars and writers featured in the anthology. Locations included the Florida Historic Capitol Museum (Tallahassee); Orange County Regional History Center (Orlando); North Regional / Broward College Library (Coconut Creek); Selby Public Library (Sarasota); and the Matheson History Museum (Gainesville).

Watch a recording of the Gainesville program with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jack E. Davis and noted environmental writer Cynthia Barnett.

Order Your Copy!

Listen to Our New Podcast

Can’t get enough of the incredible stories inside FORUM magazine? Then, go beyond the pages, and hear from the writers behind some of your favorite articles. Florida Humanities’ new podcast FORUM: Beyond the Pages will take you behind the scenes of upcoming issues with conversations with the writers who bring some of the most fascinating Florida topics to life.

Catch new episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube!

Listen Here

Create Your Own Humanities Experience

“Florida’s Passport to the Humanities” is a fun, new way to connect to the historical, arts and cultural gems located throughout the Sunshine State — and be rewarded along the way!

With this handy guide as your roadmap, you’ll find 50 unique places and events from the Panhandle to the Keys that share Florida’s history, heritage, cultures and traditions. From literary events to cultural festivals to historic tours, this online booklet is divided into six pathways to explore: literature, music, history and heritage, food, visual arts and the environment. Inside you’ll find some familiar names, but many little-known places and events that you’ve probably never heard of, or have always wanted to learn more about.

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Visit the New Smithsonian Institution Exhibition in 2024

Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, a Museum on Main Street exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution, will embark on its Florida tour during our 50th anniversary year. From March 2024 to January 2025, five venues across the state will host this powerful exhibit, which explores the action, reaction, vision and revision that democracy demands as Americans continue to question how to shape the country.

Through historical and contemporary photos, educational and archival video, historical objects and multimedia interactive games, visitors will learn about the origin of American democracy, its struggles and triumphs and the rights and responsibilities of citizenry.

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