Unknown Florida in the American Revolution

In honor of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration, the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum presents a series of free lectures offering a new perspective on the American Revolution: Unknown Florida in the American Revolution. The lectures will be held in the Virginia Room at the Ringhaver Student Center from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on January 7, February 12, March 26, April 2, and May 21, 2026. 

Each of these lectures provides information about some of the people who lived in Florida during the Revolution and in the 200 years preceding it.

For more information and to reserve a free seat, please see the Ximenez-Fatio website.

The Lectures

• Wednesday, January 7, 2026—The Impact of Indigenous Peoples in Florida on the American Revolution
  • Speakers: Dale Cox, Chief of the Creek Nation, and Pedro Zapata of the Seminole Nation.
• Thursday, February 12, 2026—What Part Did Florida Africans Play in the American Revolution?
  • Speakers: Jane Landers of Vanderbilt University, and Gigi Best-Richardson of the African Diaspora Book Store and Museum
• Thursday, March 26, 2026—We Floridians Could Have Been British If It Weren't For the Spanish!
  • Speakers: Tom Hand of Americana Corner, and History Professor Jeff Jore from Flagler College.
• Thursday, April 2, 2026—1777 Flight to Freedom for the Minorcans of New Smyrna & Becoming American in St. Augustine
  • Speakers: Greg Holbrook of New Smyrna History Museum, and Flagler College Professor of History Dr. Darien Andreu
• Thursday, May 21, 2026—British Loyalists and the American Patriots in St. Augustine
  • Speakers: Chuck Meide of LAMP (Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program), and Jay Smith, the Lighthouse Marketing Director.

Register to Attend

Admission: Free to attend. Seating is limited, so please reserve a seat in advance.

When: From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on January 7, February 12, March 26, April 2, and May 21, 2026. 

Where: The Virginia Room at the Ringhaver Student Center, 50 Sevilla Street, St. Augustine, Florida, 32084

The photo is a section of a painting by Augusto Ferre-Dalmau, titled "The Spanish Forces led by Bernardo de Gálvez at the Siege of Pensacola."