7 Questions With Madonna Wise, Florida Historian and Author

 

Madonna Jervis Wise grew up in rural Indiana and her love for history started early. She was fascinated by the history of her family, the Jervis'es, and the legends of her home town in Carroll County. As an adult, she moved to Florida with her husband Ernie and began teaching history to high school students.   In 2010, Madonna started with a simple project of researching the historical valedictorians and salutatorians at Zephyrhills High School, (her daughters were valedictorian in 2001 & 2012 respectively). For the centennial celebration of the high school, they wanted to design a plaque for these students from the last hundred years. As she began researching this history, Madonna became increasingly more excited by the stories of education in this century old school. 740 pages later, her first historical book Tapestry-Zephyrhills: An Anthology of Its History Through Education was published cataloging the history of ZHS from 1910-2010.    Since then, Madonna has gone on to publish numerous books in the history genre and is continuing into genealogy, historical non-fiction, cookbooks and fiction. She has released three books in the prestigious Images of America series with Arcadia Publishing/History Press: Zephyrhills, Dade City, and Wesley Chapel. As a retired principal who also has credential as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, she weaves an understanding of individuals and groups in a diverse array of communities. Her latest two books focus on real historical characters from her research.   In her spare time, Madonna is an avid equestrian, master gardener, and active member of the community. She is the proud mother to three children: Jervis, Mamie, and Rachel; and a doting grandmother to five beautiful grandchildren. Access her web page at https://madonnawisebooks.com/home

1. How and/or when did you get you hooked on history?

I sat at the feet of two very unique and interesting grandfathers- James and Marvin in Indiana! James was a blacksmith in World War I who lied about his age to enter the Army and serve in the calvary at age 16 in the European theatre! I certainly didn't know what Post Traumatic stress was at age six but later came to realize that it impacted him throughout his life!  James brought history to life for me and shared my obsession for horses which still exists today as I am a lifelong equestrian! The other grandfather was a genealogist of sorts and he related tales of our family hierarchy! Marvin's enormous pride in the paternal side of my family caused me to check out his somewhat exaggerated stories and even get me into DAR! Later in my life a couple of profound professors ( Dr Roscoe Frazier from Purdue and Dr Dwight Mickelson from Taylor) really turned me on to research  and more formal historical investigation as I was a first generation student!

2. What role does history play or has it played in your personal life?

I revere family history and it is an avenue for sharing and growth! About twenty years ago I created a cookbook entitled "Juanita In Blue" as a way to mourn the passing of my mother! I printed it for my three adult children and included photographs and vignettes from my mother's hometown restaurant! The cookbook which is also published is a source of memory and reflection for our family and my three adult "lawyer" children phone every once in a while to ask me something like "What is lard" 

Further history plays an enormous role in the way I experience day-to-day life!

3. How is/How was history a part of your professional life/career?

I graduated from Taylor University with a degree in history and taught history at the high school level for nearly a decade before obtaining an MA in school counseling and administration. Later I taught history with an online school and nearing retirement  (I retired from both Pasco and Polk Counties and worked as a teacher, school counselor, principal, district administrator, and grant writer for 38 years) I began writing and publishing history books and doing research pretty much full time after retirement although the federal grant writing and writing for six newspapers had honed my writing skills throughout my career.

4. Why is studying/knowing history important?

The old adage is out there that 'history repeats itself' which may be true but that is not my motivation! To me as a historin and counselor I see the influence on individuals and more recently I have come to believe there are generational components to history in families! The history of a location is essential to understanding a community and I seek that out for myself and others. ( I take this to the limit! When I was first named a public school principal- I sought out every previous principal to interview and for the one deceased principal- I interviewed his wife. I believe knowing the past story is essential to understanding)

5. What is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and why?

Frontier history is my favorite time frame! My rural roots brought me face to face with tools and lithics and artifacts and I have always had a desire to figure out the purpose and usage which led to more understanding of life in different periods!

I also gravitate to the years of the Great Depression as I heard so many stories about those 1930 years growing up! Any time I can delve into WPA and the FDR recovery times I am also a happy camper! Around Florida as you probably know - when you see a limesone building such as the ones in Hillsborough state Park etc you will be seeing WPA project work and so many are being torn down now!

6. What led to your interest in Florida history?

A centennial celebration in Zephyrhills perhaps enmeshed me into Florida history! I put together the centennial celebration and was the Grand Marshal of the parade! I wrote two books on the community and then began a program of writing further community books! An extraordinary colleague, Jeff Miller sat up a central Florida website  https://fivay.org/ and we collaborated again and again on research almost daily! ( This sounds like your Histocrats!) A few years later Arcadia Publishing and History Press wanted me to write an additional book on a growing area known as Wesley Chapel and I resisted because it was a desolate and unpopulated area and I really didn't think there was adequate info! After some coaxing I found descendants of about five of the original homesteaders and through personal invitation- I interviewed the families and they allowed me to scan their photographs and letters and papers! We even drew a progressive map of the community collectively It solidified my love of Florida history and I've gone from there!( Many of the family members I interviewed became surrogate families and unfortunately many have passed now but there were about five who phoned me once a week with a new finding or 'great' story about a cracker whip or where someone else was  buried or whatever! They were endearing!

My best selling book is "A Haunted History of Pasco County" which I was recruited to write! This is where the folklore piece comes in as many of the findings involved superstition and customs.

7.        Please discuss your most recent and/or upcoming projects?

My latest book (#15) is out in November and is entitled "Lakeside Inn- Legacy of Mount Dora." It is without a doubt my most researched piece and it tells the story of Florida and particularly Mount Dora from the viewpoint of the oldest continuously operating Inn in the state of Florida! Alexandra and Jim Gunderson recruited me to write this book and they allowed me to look through the archives of the 140 year old Inn which included the over five-month stay at the Inn by former President Calvin Coolidge and his wife Grace in January of 1930 just after he left office! The Coolidge story was very confused with Calvin's 1928 and 1929 Florida visits so I digressed in the book to discuss his 1928 excursion through Florida to attend the Pan American Conference in Cuba and his 1929 visit to dedicate Bok Tower! The book is comprehensive and it predates the Inn which began in 1883 with even prehistoric discoveries! The Lakeside Inn project really solidified my interest in thematic history which I've always known was a love! The book took me to a great interview that Ben Brokenboke did for the Florida Historical society on Coolidge and super consultation experiences with UF and Rollins and great folks! I am anxious to get the proofs back any day! The Gundersons also own the Hacienda Hotel in New Port Richey and love history! The story of the Lakeside Inn is quite intriguing as it encompasses the 'orange culture' and Chautauqua! I am so thankful that the Gundersons wanted me to be diverse because I covered the unvarnished view of history with the Groveland issues and more! 

7 Questions With Polita Glynn, Documentarian Filmmaker

 

Polita Glynn specializes in documentary filmmaking, screenwriting and creative storytelling focused on history, cultural diversity and environment. She received a State of Florida 1996 Individual Artists Fellowship in Media Arts, a 2015 Sundance Screenwriters Fellowship, a 2022 St. Pete Arts Alliance Artist grant and a 2023 Creative Pinellas Beyond Placemaking fellowship. Glynn has her B.A. in American Studies from Bennington College, Ed.M. from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, and studied film at the University of Miami School of Communication. Along with director and cinematographer Devin Rice, she has produced several documentaries about Florida history, including "Underground History.” For those interested in scheduling a screening or viewing the film can contact Polita Glynn through her website at www. merfolkmedia.org .  A trailer for the film can be viewed at https://merfolkmedia.org/underground-history  .

1. How and/or when did you get you hooked on history?

I think that I have always been drawn to the past and how it informs the present. Maybe

some of that was inspired by my father’s love of history, particularly the Civil War. He

had a whole library of history books in our house when I was growing up, and we would

look at those together. As an undergraduate, I majored in History and American Studies.

My thesis focused on an analysis of historical correspondence between generations of

Vermont families and how they adapted to changing values and culture. I find that I

always want to know about the history of a place and the stories of its people to deepen

my understanding and sense of place.

2. What role does history play or has it played in your personal life?

I am the daughter of a Peruvian immigrant and the granddaughter of Russian Jewish

immigrants. My mother’s family escaped the pogroms in Russia and went to Peru. My

father’s family immigrated to Boston. Their stories, and trying to learn more about my

ancestors, contributed to my interest in understanding history, heritage and ancestry. I

believe that we are all impacted by our own historical stories.

3. How is/How was history a part of your professional life/career?

When I finished my undergraduate degree at Bennington College, I wanted to work in

historical museum research and exhibit design. However, I soon realized there was very

little work in that area so I pivoted to the field of education. My work in Boston in

education addressed school desegregation and cross-cultural communication. I found

that these issues all draw on historical context. So, while not directly working in history

education, I recognized that understanding history was essential to creating a context

for social issues. My professional career took me in other directions, but now that I am

“retired” I have returned to history and my love of filmmaking, research and storytelling.

4. Why is studying/knowing history important?

In many places in the world, people strive to acknowledge the history of the land where

they reside. Known as land acknowledgement, this recognition identifies the past which

erased Indigenous people’s history and culture.  As a broader concept

acknowledgement can be a starting point in recognizing histories which have been

erased, ranging from ancient Indigenous people to contemporary displaced

communities. As someone who cares about social justice, I believe that a community

can develop a deeper sense of place and a better vision for the future through

increased awareness of its history and an expanded understanding of its past.

5. What is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and why?

Great question. I think I would like to answer this we a favorite quote:

“For millenniums, humans have told stories to connect, relate and weave imaginative

truths that enable us to see one another more clearly with compassion and courage...

When we do this, we tap into an ancient power that makes us, and the world, more of

who we are: a single race looking for reasons, searching for purpose, seeking to find

ourselves.” Amanda Gorman, Poet, New York Times interview. 12/8/22

6. How did you come to explore the subject of Tampa Bay’s “Underground

History” and what is the heart of the story that you tell in your film “Underground

History:  Exploring Erased Histories in the Tampa Bay Region”?

In St. Petersburg, we have layers and layers of history under our feet, ranging from

ancient to more recent times. When I moved from Miami to St. Pete in 2021, my

imagination was captured biking around the ‘Pink Streets’ and seeing the Pinellas Point

Mound. Who has an ancient Indigenous mound in the middle of a suburban

neighborhood? And were there more or how many were lost? What other histories were

erased and where can we find those stories? I wanted to peel back those layers and

explore that history, as well as amplify the voices of people working to illuminate the

past. I was particularly interested in acknowledging the erased stories that are

sometimes buried but still impact our present and influence the future.

7.       

 

7.  What other products has your company, Merfolk Media, produced?

Merfolk Media Alliance was formed in 2022 after I stepped down from my full-time

position as director of the Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation. Merfolk Media

is still a relatively young non-profit organization.  In additional to the Underground History documentary, Merfolk Media developed and produced ‘Underground History Visual Poetry,’ which blends place-based spoken word poetry with filmmaking, music and public outreach to present stories of erased histories in the St. Petersburg community and Tampa Bay region.

Merfolk Media recently produced and directed ‘The Brick Roads of St. Petersburg.’ This

short film focuses the history of brick roads, an iconic historic feature of the city. The film

mixes rich visual imagery of the city’s brick roads with archival images, old newspaper

articles, historic maps and animation. Community outreach is also an essential element of all my film projects. For each of these films, we have organized community screenings and strived to engage audiences in the stories and histories presented in the films.

7 Questions with Robert Redd, Author and Florida Historian

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.

 

7 Questions with Robert Jacob, Author, Historian, and Reenactor

 

With a lifelong passion for history, Robert Jacob has been heavily involved in living history interpretation and reenacting for over 40 years. He has participated in activities covering a wide range of time periods including French and Indian War and Revolutionary War reenactment groups, Western Gun Fighter groups, Mountain Man Rendezvous and Renaissance Fairs. During the past 12 years he has focused on the golden age of piracy.

Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Robert graduated from Duquesne University with a Bachelor’s Degree in education in 1978. He taught in the West Point public school district, West Point, VA for five years while completing his Master’s Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983.  In 1982, Robert entered the United States Marine Corps reserve and augmented to active duty in 1983. During his service, he became a military occupational specialty instructor and earned the designation of Master Training Specialist. Later in his career, he became the Commanding Officer of the Marine Detachment at the same school where he had earlier instructed. He achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5 and retired after 31 years of service in 2013.

While researching information on the golden age of piracy, Robert realized that most of the publications on the subject were contradictory and even incorrect. This motivated him to write his award-winning first publication, “A Pirate’s Life in the Golden Age of Piracy.” After its release, his readers expressed a strong interest in the pirates that visited the coast of Florida. This inspired Robert to write his second book that focused on them, “Pirates of the Florida Coast: Truths, Legends, and Myths.” Robert is still a living historian. He is also a lecturer on a wide variety of historical topics and a public speaker who has appeared on the History Channel’s series “Beyond Oak Island” as an expert on pirates.

While researching information on the golden age of piracy, Robert realized that most of the publications on the subject were contradictory and even incorrect. This motivated him to write his award-winning first publication, “A Pirate’s Life in the Golden Age of Piracy.” After its release, his readers expressed a strong interest in the pirates that visited the coast of Florida. This inspired Robert to write his second book that focused on them, “Pirates of the Florida Coast: Truths, Legends, and Myths.” Robert is still a living historian. He is also a lecturer on a wide variety of historical topics and a public speaker who has appeared on the History Channel’s series “Beyond Oak Island” as an expert on pirates.  (Website http://www.robertjacobauthor.com/ )

1. How and when did you get hooked on history?

 

I have a lifelong passion for history. Even when I was 8 years old, I was fascinated with historical events and very annoyed when the media got history wrong. For example, I would be infuriated when soldiers were using model 1873 Colt Single Action Army pistols in a Civil War story. As such, I began reenacting at age 15. First the French & Indian War and then the Revolutionary War. I’ve been doing living history ever since. That’s a little over 50 years now.

 

2. What role does history play or has it played in your personal life?

 

One really can’t separate history from one’s life. Historical knowledge comes into play with every decision. On the lighter side, I have been a living historian (reenactor) since 1971. As my main hobby, all my free time was consumed with either reenacting history or studying it. My mother was a hostess at Colonial Williamsburg and lived next to the Yorktown Battlefield.

 

3. How does history play a part of your professional life/career?

 

I served in the United States Marine Corps for 31 years. The Corps recognizes the value in a thorough knowledge of history when it comes to battlefield study. My historical knowledge was greatly expanded through professional battle case studies in the Corps. We even went to Gettysburg and walked the battlefield as part of officer training. Now, my profession is giving history lectures on a variety of topics and selling my two books, which are basically history texts.

 

4. Why is studying/knowing history important?

 

Thorough knowledge of history comes into play with each life decision. It certainly has a significant impact on deciding who to vote for in elections.  

 

5. What is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and why?

 

I have always been fascinated with the 16^th century. Not sure why! All history fascinates me actually, but there is a little something extra with that century. Perhaps it’s the rapid change the world went through with the age of exploration.

 

6. You’ve written two books about pirates and the Florida coast. How is their story an important part of Florida and American history?

 

My first book, A Pirate’s Life in the Golden Age of Piracy, is a comprehensive look at all the most famous pirates and privateers from 1625-1722. It also brings in all the politics of the European nations and how they affected piracy. The reader will learn far more about history than just pirates. My second book, Pirates of the Florida Coast, deals specifically with all those pirates and privateers associated with Florida, the real ones and the not so real ones. A great part of history is getting it right. Setting the record straight. This book does that for Florida. It dispels some of the legends and puts them in their proper place as a fascinating fictional story. But it also brings light to some of the real history of Florida pirates that most scholars have overlooked.

 

7. What projects do you have coming up in the future?

 

My third book is in the works, The Truth About Blackbeard’s Treasure.

7 Questions With Erwin Wunderlich, Author

 

Wunderlich grew up in 1950s Florida, fascinated by the stories and experiences of his ancestors and their recollections dating back to the time of statehood.  Starting in his teenage years, he began to record some of their memories, names, and dates that might someday be important to others. When it came time to consider prospective colleges, he had the opportunity to visit the Naval Academy and  subsequently earned an appointment there.   After a subsequent time in the submarine service, he and his wife Susan returned to Florida. Through the years, he earned two masters degrees, one in business and the other in engineering, and a doctorate degree in education. He and Susan raised four children, each of which would themselves attend service academies and become military officers. Today, he occupies his time with writing historical fiction, chiefly based in Civil War and Pioneer era Florida, researching, beekeeping, and carving scrimshaw. His next novel is expected to be published in the fall.

1. How and when did you get  hooked on history?

—My father kept shoving his favorite historical fiction novels in front of me when I was a child.  They were good books by Richard Powell, Marjorie Rawlings, Frank Slaughter, and other authors.  I especially enjoyed stories about the struggles of the pioneers.  

2. What role does history play or has it played in your personal life?  

— A big part.  Besides the extensive research for my historical novels, I also do their illustrations and even further I do award-winning historical scrimshaws.  For those who might not be aware, scrimshaw is an old engraving process where I add ink to my scratchings (see photo example of a scrimshaw I did of Chief Osceola on abalone shell).

3. How does history play  a part of your professional life/career? 

—My family has always loved history, whether it be history by finding lost relics on my bee farm, or history driving by roadsigns (such as in Archer, Florida which motivated me to write my DRUMMER novel concerning Richmond’s gold coming to Archer in 1865). I love doing the requisite background historical research for my fiction books, plus writing articles for various historical magazines.

4. Why is studying/knowing history important?

—History is the glue behind our human beliefs and heritage.   Local history has unfortunately become shortchanged in our formal education process.  In 1960s Florida, for example, I saw each county controlling its own history curriculum and learning objectives.  Then thanks to the power of funding, with the worry of falling behind other nations, the state took over with its own cram-packed curricula and standards.  And now there is further pressure to have a national curriculum.  

5. What is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and why?

—I like pioneer-type history that tries to give the reader an appreciation of the hardships that our trailblazers faced.  These difficulties and challenges seem oft forgotten nowadays, but can be quite inspiring.  It is my own hope that folks will enjoy my own historical works, plus get busy on their own historical efforts such as documenting their own families’ stories, doing drawings, or the like.

6.       Tell us about your first book Salvos on the Backwater and about your latest projects?

—I had joined a Jacksonville writing club, as a lark, that met one night a week after work.  The group required three pages of writing each time, else you would get the boot from the club.   After such weekly critiques, and a year’s worth of pages, I found myself in a good position to come out with my SALVOS book as a historical novel. It would won a number of first-place awards in various contests, to include the Patrick Smith Award which was presented to me at a banquet by Mr. Smith himself.

7.       Florida seldom gets much attention in Civil War History. What exactly was its significance during the war and what are some examples of stories that should be researched and told?

—Florida turned out to be the breadbasket of the Confederacy, supplying the Army of Northern Virginia with cows and other staples.  As to the state’s few soldiers from its small population, Robert E. Lee designed the Florida war strategy to allow Federal coastal raids, then for the militia to respond to such raids with hit-and-run attacks (much like the Seminoles’ hit-and-run war strategy in Florida up to the year 1858).  

Florida had tough (the best) battle-ready soldiers and cavalrymen, both mainstream and militia, and there is much lore concerning their CW exploits.  Floridians were able to defend Tallahassee and make it the only state capital east of the Mississippi River never overrun by the Federals.

Today, btw, reenactors and folks remember Florida’s two major battles annually at her Olustee and Natural Bridge State Parks, come each February and March. I am often invited to attend these festivals with my books.  The Olustee event is quite large, and I would suggest it to new folks that might want to witness living history.

7 Questions With Rick Kilby, Author of Florida's Healing Waters

 

Orlando-based writer and graphic designer Rick Kilby is the author of Florida’s Healing Waters: Gilded Age Mineral Springs, Seaside Resorts, and Health Spas (University Press of Florida, 2020), which received the silver medal for Florida nonfiction from the Florida Book Awards and the Florida Historical Society’s Stetson Kennedy Award. His first book, Finding the Fountain of Youth: Ponce de León and Florida's Magical Waters (University Press of Florida, 2013), won a Florida Book Award in the Visual Arts category. Both titles can be purchased at  https://www.rickkilby.com .

1. How and when did you get hooked on history?

I think I can trace my love of history back to when I started working at a downtown Orlando attraction called Church Street Station. I was hired in the late 80s as a graphic designer and all the design work had to have a Victorian look and feel. Having never worked in that style I had to build a new visual vocabulary. My office was in the historic train depot and they had an incredible resource library. Every day I would pore through the books and I fell in love with Victorian typography. From there my love of historic architecture developed and visiting old buildings really helped my passion for history grow.

 

2. What role does history play or has it played in your personal life?

I think when I start a research project I get slightly obsessed and I have to work hard to maintain balance in my life while allowing myself to be pulled by the momentum of that obsession. Since I have my own graphic design business, I have to plot out when I can do research, and as a result my wife and I often vacation in places related to my research. We’ve gone to places like Bath, England, Saratoga Springs, New York, and Hot Springs, Arkansas while I researched my book. I envy those who can do research full time, but I value the moments when I can fall down the rabbit hole, finding historical connections that call to be written about.

 

3. How does history play a part of your professional life/career?

Although I make a living as a graphic designer, I have been fortunate enough to have the Orange County Regional History Center as a client for over 20 years. In addition to designing their history magazine, Reflections from Central Florida, I act as managing editor soliciting and occasionally writing articles for the publication. My writing career is a creative exercise that allows me to indulge myself in exciting research into Florida’s rich past more than a vocation.

 

4.         Why is studying/knowing history important?

At this point in American history it is critical that we know the truth about the past so we can move forward appropriately. There are many issues today that are controversial that have roots in the past and battles are being fought, in this state in particular, as to how that history is interpreted. As historians we need to speak up.

 

5.         What is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and why?

 At this point in my life, I am fascinated by the steamboat era in Florida. I call the period after the Civil War until the beginning of automobile travel Florida’s Golden Age of Bathing. Splendid Gilded Age hotels drew the nation’s elite to the Sunshine state in search of restoration and rejuvenation.

 I think it intrigues me so much because so many non-historians tend to think Florida didn’t exist before the mid-twentieth century. And there are few remnants left from that period, it’s almost easier to explore in vintage photography and print ephemera. I also think I really like the aesthetics of the period – the design and architecture.

 

6.        How did Florida’s Healing Waters affect Florida’s development? 

My thesis is that medical tourists and many healthy people who visited spas, (because it was what the wealthy elite did in the 19th century), were critical in the creation of Florida’s tourist economy that still exists today. Spa towns developed around springs, settlements grew around oceanside resorts where people practiced sea bathing, and hydrotherapy was practiced at sanitariums such as Florida Sanitarium, which is today the enormous Advent Heath hospital system. Florida’s waters were a resource that was commodified to help launch its economy after the Civil war.

 

7.       When it comes to Florida’s unique natural beauty, like its springs, in 2022 and the future, is it difficult to be an optimist?

Yes, it is very disheartening. Most of my talks surrounding my first book, Finding the Fountain of Youth, had an environmental message. While it was well received, the impact has been negligible, and if anything, the state has gone backwards in environmental stewardship. I deliberately focus on the historical aspects of my current book, more than the environmental message. But I often slip in a bit about planting native plants because I think that is what individuals can do to have the biggest impact on the environment that surrounds them.