Outpost to Statehood: The Florida Territory

Many of the events and themes that appeared on a large scale throughout the United States in the years leading up to the Civil War were also evident in Florida during its time as a US Territory, from 1821 to 1845. Told through the use of historic maps, this presentation showcases how Florida was home to many important events and trends that preceded those in the American West after the Civil War.

Rodney Kite-Powell is the Director of the Touchton Map Library at the Tampa Bay History Center. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida and a Master of Arts from the University of South Florida, both in U.S. history. He wrote and lectured on state and local history and is the author of three books: History of Davis Islands: David P. Davis, and the Story of a Landmark Tampa Neighborhood, The Governors of Florida, and Tampa Bay’s Waterfront: Its History and Development.

This program accompanies "Voices and Votes: Democracy in America" opening at the Cape Coral Lee County Public Library on September 14, 2024.

“Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and Florida Humanities. Support for the local exhibition and programming was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.