Florida and Water: A Historical Perspective

This presentation chronicles Florida’s long and difficult relationship with water. Dr. Steve Noll examines attempts to turn water into land and land into water throughout Florida’s history, including contentious water-related issues like the potential restoration of the Everglades, the battle over the Ocklawaha River, the degradation of north Florida’s iconic springs, and more. Parking is free on site. Registration required.

Steve Noll is a master lecturer in the University of Florida’s history department, where received his PhD in 1991. Dr. Noll taught special education in public schools for twenty-eight years before moving to UF in 2004. He has written on general Florida history as well as more specialized subjects ranging from Florida environmental policy, the Cross Florida Barge Canal, and the 1970s disability rights movement. In 2013, the Princeton Review named him one of the 300 best professors in the United States.

This program accompanies Water/Ways Smithsonian exhibit on display at the African American Cultural Center and Museum of Florida. Water/Ways is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and Florida Humanities. Support for the exhibition and programming was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.