Florida Public Archaeology Network - Central Region

Florida Public Archaeology Network - Central Region Repping Gilchrist, Levy, Bradford, Alachua, Marion, Citrus, Hernando, Sumter and Lake Counties.

Our vision is a complete and representative history of Florida that equitably represents the influence of all people that has been imprinted on the landscape. We approach our mission by work in three core areas: Public Outreach, Assistance to Local Governments, and Assistance to the Florida Division of Historical Resources. Our Regional Centers operate visible public outreach programs, including promotion of archaeological/heritage tourism; partnerships with Florida Anthropological Society chapters and other regional heritage organizations; dissemination of archaeological information to the public; promotion of existing regional heritage events and programs; and promotion of archaeological volunteer opportunities. We support local governments in their efforts to preserve and protect regional archaeological resources by assisting with local archaeological ordinances, comprehensive plan elements, and preservation plans; providing professional archaeological assistance with local archaeological emergencies; and advising local governments on the best management practices for municipally-owned and county-owned archaeological sites. We assist the Division of Historical Resources in its Archaeological Responsibilities by promoting Division programs, including grants; by supporting the Division with venues and professional assistance for regional training opportunities; by referring local inquiries to the appropriate Division office or staff member; by distributing literature promulgated by the Division; and by assisting with and promoting the identification and nomination of local archaeological sites to the National Register.

This we're sharing maps AND an opportunity to visit them in person in Gainesville at University of Florida George A. S...
09/21/2026

This we're sharing maps AND an opportunity to visit them in person in Gainesville at University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries!

One of the first African American women to practice cartography, Louise E. Jefferson created maps that documented more than just spatial relationships--her work depicted the stories of people: their movement, their labor, their relationships and more.

The maps seen here are taken from Americans of Negro Lineage (1946) and Indians of the United States of America (1944). They showcase the history, strengths and diversity of Native Americans and African Americans during a time when those very things were under threat of erasure and marginalization.

Drawing Beyond Boundaries is on display now until December at Smathers Library Gallery. Anyone can go check it out!

We recently spoke with curator Adrienne Johnson on The Materialists Podcast. Turns out she knows something bout everything-- which is how we learned about this incredible map maker! Go give it a listen!

Y’all really showed up to bring Cemetery Club back to life! We want to thank each and every one of you who came out for ...
09/18/2026

Y’all really showed up to bring Cemetery Club back to life! We want to thank each and every one of you who came out for making this weird little idea a reality 🪦 Let’s keep celebrating cemeteries and creating community!

A special thanks to Eury Kim for showing us the life that abounds in our burial grounds around the world. We can’t wait to have you back!

Please tag us in your pictures, and if you’ve got pics or video of Nigel’s powerful eulogy, send them our way 🙏

Mark your calendars for the next one on October 15th—more details to come!

Dear Christine: Enjoy this dog lounging in the street without a care in the world. With love, Grace. Went searching for ...
09/15/2026

Dear Christine:

Enjoy this dog lounging in the street without a care in the world.

With love, Grace.

Went searching for images of the old Gainesville and Alachua County jails today, and naturally wound up with a folder full of historic dog photos.

Hold on to your fur covered hats, because you're gonna see them all.

But first: who wants to guess how many pics of the old jails we now have?

Thanks to University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries for making this picture postcard (ca. 1900-1910) from the Matheson History Museum's collections available online!

Dearly Beloved, we will gather at First Magnitude on September 17th to celebrate cemeteries and make preparations for th...
09/10/2026

Dearly Beloved, we will gather at First Magnitude on September 17th to celebrate cemeteries and make preparations for the coming season...

Professor of Graphic Design Eury Kim will lead us deep into the oft overlooked world of headstone typography, sharing insights from her fantastically unconventional research.

After, we'll add another headstone to the cemetery as we carve our own epitaphs just in time for Halloween. If you'd like to make a headstone please register so we know how many to bring https://cemeteryclub.eventbrite.com

All are welcome, funeral attire is encouraged!

Check out our event page for more details...

09/04/2026

Dearly beloved, the time has come for Cemetery Club to rise from its summer slumber!

Let's make headstone carving a tradition and do it again! Eventually we will all have stunning cemeteries of our very own 🪦🪦

And steady your bones, because we've got a guest officiant who we're so excited to announce next week!

We started strong with a visit to Adamsville Community Cemetery in Chiefland, where we were joined by a surprising and...
09/02/2026

We started strong with a visit to Adamsville Community Cemetery in Chiefland, where we were joined by a surprising and very cute (in a creepy kinda way) keeper of the graves 🦂

The earliest marked burial in this cemetery is that of Rev. Richard Small, born in 1843. He passed away at just 29 years of age and was buried at Adamsville in 1872.

Adamsville cemetery is the final resting place of many people born into slavery. There are at least eight people laid to rest in this cemetery who were born before emancipation. Descendents of those individuals have faithfully kept the history of this sacred place.

The name Adamsville comes from the family name of the founders, who, upon emancipation, took the last name of their former enslaver.

Get out there and visit that cemetery you’ve been curious about! And let us know if you need suggestions!

Happy Birthday to folklorist, storyteller, and keeper of Florida traditions Cousin Thelma Boltin! Born August 31, 1904, ...
08/31/2026

Happy Birthday to folklorist, storyteller, and keeper of Florida traditions Cousin Thelma Boltin! Born August 31, 1904, Cousin Thelma lived most of her life in Gainesville, Florida, traveling the state to collect songs and stories to share with future generations of Florida folk.

The State Archives of Florida has a collection of some of those recordings, give them a listen! https://www.floridamemory.com/learn/exhibits/florida-folklife/people/?id=boltin

08/28/2026

August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech in front of hundreds of thousands of people at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In the 63 years since, these powerful words have echoed through Florida and every corner of this country.

Dr. Bernice King, seen in this video alongside her father, shared that these words continue to resonate "because the dream was never meant to be admired from a distance. It requires our participation. May we continue the work of making justice, dignity, opportunity, and genuine equality a lived reality for all."

May we all continue this work.

Watch for this camp next summer! It was a total hit.
08/28/2026

Watch for this camp next summer! It was a total hit.

It's hard to believe that our inaugural History Summer Camp is already over. What an amazing week with our incredible campers! We couldn't have done it without all of the people and organizations who made it possible. THANK YOU!

Guest Speakers:
- The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
- Alexa Neilson, Paleontologist from the Florida Museum of Natural History
- Dr. Charlie Cobb, Archaeologist from the Florida Museum of Natural History
- Gayle Ambrose, from Dudley Farm Historic State Park
- Chef D from D's Comfort Food
- Nigel Rudolf, Archaeologist from Florida Public Archaeology Network - Central Region

Sponsors:
- The Gainesville Rotary Club
- Visit Gainesville, Alachua County

Scholarships:
- Happy and John Amein
- Multiple anonymous donors

Volunteers:
- Liam Shanley
- Zoe Levin
- Chau Huynh

Staff:
- Mariana Rebello, PhD Student in School Psychology
- Caroline Amein, Education Coordinator and PhD Student in Archaeology

Address

Gainesville, FL
32601

Telephone

+18509382797

Website

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