Juan Ponce de Leon reached the Florida shores in 1513 and claimed this territory as part of the Spanish empire. In 1521, he returned to establish a permanent Spanish settlement in La Florida; one of several expeditions that arrived with the same goal and failed. This program by Magdalena Lamarre reviews the various expeditions made by Spanish explorers during the early period of Spanish colonial history and examines the factors contributing to these failed attempts.

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

Directions: The location of the Museum & Cultural Center is across the street from the Historic Butler House on the left. The street signs in this historic district recognize the City’s pioneer heritage and both SE 4th Avenue and Butler Avenue will be seen. Lawn & street parking are used.

Support for this Florida Talks program was provided by Florida Humanities with funds from the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support provided by the Jacarlene Foundation. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities and its partners.