Coffee and Conversation with Eliot Kleinberg

In the first weeks after Pearl Harbor pulled America into a two-front war, Germany’s U-Boats worked with impunity. Off Florida alone, they sank 24 ships. Some of Florida’s very features that attracted tourists made it a logical place for soldiers as well. The state, a strategic asset for its geography and climate, became an armed camp. Hotels turned into barracks, and hospitals, bases and airfields increased from 8 to 172 by 1943. The sleepy southern state became one of the nation’s hotspots, and Florida would never be the same. Registration is required. Light refreshments will be served. Guests can enjoy the event in person at the museum or watch live online via YouTube. Streaming link sent directly to attendees after registration.

Eliot Kleinberg spent more than four decades as a reporter, including more than 33 years at The Palm Beach Post. In addition to covering local news, he wrote extensively about Florida and its history. He produced two history columns and more than a dozen books about the state. He also runs a blog on bad writing and how to fix it called “Something Went Horribly Wrong”.

This Florida Talks program is a partnership between Florida Humanities and the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum. Funding for this program was provided by Florida Humanities and sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts.