Presidents in Florida

The Ormond Beach Historical Society is hosting their 2022-2023 live Speaker Series program. The fourth presentation in this series is based on James C. Clark’s book Presidents in Florida. Attendees will learn how many of America’s presidents had strange relationships with Florida-such as how George Washington had nothing but trouble with it, and how Thomas Jefferson tried to steal it. Abraham Lincoln hoped it would win him re-election. Franklin Roosevelt was nearly assassinated before he could be inaugurated and quick thinking by a Secret Service agent saved John Kennedy’s life in Florida. Herbert Hoover learned about Al Capone and Warren G. Harding got stuck on a Florida sandbar.

James C. Clark is a Senior Lecturer in the University of Central Florida History Department. He has emerged as one of Florida’s leading historians, noted for his books and research. He is the author of nine books, and the editor of a three-volume anthology of Florida Literature. He is a graduate of Lennoir-Rhyne College, holds a master’s degree from Stetson University, and a doctorate in Florida history from the University of Florida.

This program is free, including an opening reception with refreshments at 9:30 AM. Free parking is available in the lot adjacent to the building, and the handicap entrance is at the rear of the building. Funding is provided in part through a Florida Humanities Community Project Grant in partnership with the Ormond Beach Historical Society.