Robert Redd lives in central Florida. He earned a B.A. in American Studies from Stetson University and an M.A. in Public History from American Public University System. He previously served as the Executive Director for the New Smyrna Museum of History., and he is currently the Cultural Coordinator for Volusia County, Florida. He considers himself a regional historian with wide-ranging interests. As of November, 2023, he has written or co-written seven books about Florida history, with another on the way soon. His website is https://robertreddhistorian.com/ .
1. How and when did you get hooked on history?
I suppose the interest has always been there. It just took something to bring it out. One
summer while in college I worked in the college bookstore so I got to handle a lot of titles
and see what was being used in courses. From there, I chose my major, American
Studies.
2. What role does history play or has it played in your personal life?
A lot of my personal life revolves around my interest in history. My wife and my
honeymoon revolved around several locations steeped in history. While many folks seek
out beaches, theme parks, or all-inclusive resorts for vacations, we are looking for areas
with history we can explore, museums, areas with a cultural impact.
I seldom read fiction. I am usually reading history for research projects or personal
interest. Right now, my nightstand has books on Bloody Sunday, the American Civil War,
the donut in American history, and several journal articles for a project I am working on.
3. How does history play a part of your professional life/career?
For the last 10 years or so, history has been an important part of my professional life. I
served as Executive Director for a small community museum for four years before
moving into a role in county government.
4. Why is studying/knowing history important?
I think the study of history is often more important in a broader context rather than
knowing every field movement on a specific battlefield.
Knowing and understanding the past, which are two different things, can help us
understand the present and how we arrived here. The past can also help guide us
toward the future. We can understand patterns and trends that have repeated
themselves. Hopefully, in spotting trends, we can avoid those that have proven harmful
in the past.
By understanding the struggles, of say, African Americans and women in gaining the
right to vote, we can understand and hopefully address their concerns and anger as
voting rights cases make their way through the legal system.
The study of history also allows for students of any age to develop critical thinking skills.
They are better able to analyze information and determine its credibility. The ability to
independently think is something that seems to be disappearing in our world.
5. What is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and
why?
This actually becomes a difficult question. I suppose an overriding interest has been the
American Civil War. Living a far distance from most major battlefields however can put a
damper on that enthusiasm. For such study, being able to walk the fields is crucial in my
estimation.
A recent interest has become the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry, Northern
Ireland. While that particular day is crucial in the study of the issue of Catholic civil rights
and the struggle for Irish independence, it leads to so much more and how did issues
come to such a head that day. What does that day, fifty years ago, mean to those still
living with the tragedy today.
Finally, having worked in a small community museum, I find it important on a local level,
to keep up with things happening in your community. The type questions I most often
received were about restaurants, hotels, other businesses, people, buildings, and roads.
These were things that people were asking about from their lifetime. They weren’t
usually asking about events from 100+ years ago. They were asking about things from
say the 1950s through the early 2000s. Are we doing a good job of preserving that type
of history so that in another 50 years when people are asking about things from their
childhood (you know, the good ole days,) we are able to answer? I think the answer is
often, no. The reply I often receive is, oh, it will be on the internet. Well, maybe.
6. In addition to being an author, you serve as the Cultural
Coordinator of Volusia County Florida. What does that job entail exactly?
I do work for the County of Volusia, in Parks, Recreation, & Culture. As Cultural
Coordinator I work with the county Art in Public Places program. This program ensures
that new construction projects with a public element follow county ordinance in having a
very small percentage of their construction budget allocated to public art. The most
recent project has been a remodeling of Daytona International Airport and adding art to
their collection.
I monitor and oversee the county Community Cultural Grant program. This program
helps provide operating funding to qualified 501C organizations. This fiscal year the
county if proving funding to 30 culturally based (art, history, music, theatre, etc.)
organizations. These organizations submit applications which are vetted and scored by
the Cultural Council advisory board. I work closely with the Cultural Council throughout
the year and serve as their staff liaison.
I also handle grant writing for Parks. I often create a primary draft which Is then reviewed
and edited. I handle much of the grant reporting for awards we receive. The most recent
application I have completed involves replacing a deteriorating seawall that if not correct
could endanger boat ramp access to a popular body of water.
I work with other cultural initiatives the county may be involved in. I have helped create
historic markers, I respond to inquiries from the public, and “other duties as assigned.”
7. Please tell us about a couple of your recent and/or upcoming
book projects?
My most recent book is titled Civil Rights in Florida. That is my seventh book published
with Arcadia/History Press. It covers stories such as Jackie Robinson, the 1955
Tallahassee Bus Boycott, woman’s suffrage in the state, and more.
In May 2024, my next book will be released. I am honored to be co-author with Dr. Nick
Wynne and Dr. Joe Knetsch on a book titled Florida in Flight: An Aviation History. This
will also be published by History Press and is an introduction to the history of flight in
Florida.
Currently, I am at work on a book tentatively titled Florida Scoundrels. This will probably
be released in early 2025. I’m about half way through it right now. It will tell the story of
some of the many “scoundrels” throughout Florida history. I plan to avoid the obvious
such as Aileen Wuornos, Casey Anthony, George Zimmerman, and the like. There’s too
easy in a way and people are tired of them.
