Author: Diane Merkel

Shipwrecks of the Blackwater River

A major tributary of Pensacola Bay, the Blackwater River flows through the pine forests and fertile uplands of Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties. Historically, commerce along the river included shipyards, brick kilns, and lumber mills, all of which used the river for transport of supplies and products. The remains of many of the watercraft engaged in these industries lie hidden in the dark water, some of which have been archaeologically investigated. This lecture describes these vessels, ranging from lumber schooners to steam tugs to snapper smacks.

Presented by:
The Staff of the Northwest Region
Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN)
Submit a Speaker Request Form:
http://fpan.us/nwrc/presentations.php

Shipwrecks of Pensacola

The excellent port of Pensacola was long the focus of European rivalries in the New World because control of the harbor helped ensure dominance of the northern Gulf Coast. Shipwrecks litter the bay and surrounding waterways, many of which have been identified and archaeologically investigated. This presentation describes a variety of Pensacola’s historic shipwrecks from Pensacola’s Spanish, British, early American, and Industrial Expansion periods.

Presented by:
The Staff of the Northwest Region
Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN)
Submit a Speaker Request Form:
http://fpan.us/nwrc/presentations.php

Shipwrecks of Northwest Florida

The Panhandle of Florida is the site of hundreds of historic shipwrecks, the result of centuries of maritime commerce, conflict, and travel. Three of these wrecks are featured in this presentation: USS Massachusetts, the nation’s oldest battleship sunk for target practice off Pensacola; SS Tarpon, a merchant vessel famous for its weekly trips between Mobile and Panama City until it was lost in a gale; and Vamar, sunk at Port St. Joe under mysterious circumstances during World War II.

Presented by:
The Staff of the Northwest Region
Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN)
Submit a Speaker Request Form:
http://fpan.us/nwrc/presentations.php

Falling Soldiers

This presentation looks at the current debate surrounding the removal or retention of Confederate monuments. The goal is to encourage productive discussion of the issue and to help communities make informed decisions regarding their monuments. We are not providing answers, only valuable information. This presentation is appropriate for all opinions on the matter.

Presented by:
The Staff of the North Central Region
Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN)
Submit a Speaker Request Form:
http://fpan.us/ncrc/presentations.php

“Dear Friends at Home”: Becoming Acquainted with a Civil War Soldier Through His Letters Home

Melvan Tibbetts was a Union soldier occupying Pensacola for a portion of the Civil War. We are very lucky to have the 20 letters that he wrote home to his family in Maine. These letters supply a wealth of information about West Florida during the Civil War, but they also provide a strong sense of familiarity with Melvan himself. This presentation demonstrates how much of an author’s personality is contained in historical documents and how this results in a more personal understanding of the past for the reader.

Presented by:
The Staff of the North Central Region
Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN)
Submit a Speaker Request Form:
http://fpan.us/ncrc/presentations.php

The Turpentine Industry in North Florida

This presentation discusses the turpentine and naval store industry in Florida and the impacts it had on the economy, industry, and the state’s history. This presentation is geared towards adults and can be modified to reflect the local history of any region in Florida.

Presented by:
The Staff of the North Central Region
Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN)
Submit a Speaker Request Form:
http://fpan.us/ncrc/presentations.php

Native People, Native Plants

This presentation discusses how plants have been used as medicine and food in Florida by prehistoric people and early settlers in Florida. This presentation was developed for Florida Archaeology Month 2011, but it continues to be relevant and of interest to the public.

Presented by:
The Staff of the North Central Region
Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN)
Submit a Speaker Request Form:
http://fpan.us/ncrc/presentations.php

Introduction to Underwater Archaeology

This presentation discusses the differences and similarities between terrestrial and underwater archaeology. It provides a good basic understanding of how archaeologists conduct underwater excavations. It also touches on the unique preservation issues relating to objects that archaeologists find at submerged archaeological sites.

Presented by:
The Staff of the North Central Region
Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN)
Submit a Speaker Request Form:
http://fpan.us/ncrc/presentations.php

Spanish Florida

A brief overview of the Spanish in Florida, including the Spanish Missions, focusing on Mission San Luis and the Apalachee. The presentation ends with a discussion on how the Spanish have had a lasting influence on Florida’s heritage. This presentation can be altered to cater to any age group (adult or children).

Presented by:
The Staff of the North Central Region
Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN)
Submit a Speaker Request Form:
http://fpan.us/ncrc/presentations.php

Digging Through the China Cabinet: An Archaeological Perspective on Ceramics

This lecture discusses the different type of historic ceramics commonly found throughout Florida at historic archaeological sites. It also discusses the manufacturing techniques used to create the various vessels commonly associated with each type.

Presented by:
The Staff of the North Central Region
Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN)
Submit a Speaker Request Form:
http://fpan.us/ncrc/presentations.php