In September, Gunster’s Michael Cavendish launched AcrossFlorida.org, an online presence gathering new writing about Florida culture and history, and including editorial journalism covering Florida’s 500th anniversary. Since then, media around the state have signed on, offering guest columns and editorials by Cavendish on the importance of the state’s 500-year mark.
Across Florida is designed to memorialize “one year of thinking on Florida and Floridians,” as the state celebrates its 500th anniversary since the first landing on these shores by European explorers. Cavendish began the journal in September 2012 and will continue his regular entries through August of 2013.
Here is an excerpt of an October 4, 2012 guest column that was published by Florida Today:
In 2013, Florida will have its 500th anniversary since the first landing was made by European explorers.
How will you celebrate?
Some Florida residents are marking a half millennium of Florida history by setting out to rediscover their home state.
How can you rediscover our home state, even if you’ve spent a lifetime here?
Photographer Carlton Ward, Jr. walked and paddled a 1,000-mile route through Florida’s backcountry, tracking the migratory patterns of black bears, panthers, and cranes. Divers are plummeting down to Florida shipwrecks, and then camping on nearby island beaches, as the original survivors of the wrecks would have.
Beyond the epic, and besides the municipal festivals and proclamations, after the school projects and the firehouse decorations that will shout “500!” in boisterous hues, many Floridians are letting their curiosity lead them to see Florida as old Ponce did, with new eyes.
The project can be found at http://acrossflorida.org.
Read the columns as they appear in the state’s newspapers:
- Commentary: Dive into state’s history on 500th anniversary (Ocala.com, 1/6/13)
- Universities are key to Florida’s future (The Gainesville Sun, 12/30/12)
- My word: For state’s anniversary, appreciate heritage (Orlando Sentinel, 12/13/12)
- Build a bigger, better economy as Florida turns 500 (Tampa Bay Times, 12/11/12)
- Viewpoint: What is Florida after 500 years? (Fernandina Beach News Leader, 12/6/12)
- Guest column: Live the best part of Florida: Walk on the beach (St. Augustine Record, 12/6/12)
- Celebrating Florida’s 500th year (The Miami Herald, 12/2/12)
- Guest column (Clay Today, 10/11/12)
- Guest column: Celebrating Florida at 500 (purchase req’d) (Florida Today, 10/4/12)
Learn more about Florida’s 500th anniversary at Viva Florida 500 on the Florida Department of State website.