Historical Museum of Southern Florida
Coral Gables : The City Beautiful

THE EVERGLADES

EXPLOITATION AND CONSERVATION

Online Exhibit | Traveling Exhibit

The exhibition, The Everglades, traces the history of the peoples who have explored and settled this unique ecosystem, from the early 1800s to the present. Particular attention is given to the clash of worldviews and perspectives on the Everglades and the use of its resources. Among the issues addressed are drainage and water management; parks and wildlife refuges; the Everglades Restoration Act; agriculture, exotic plants and animals; and development plans that have failed or succeeded. The contentious history of the region will be examined through a wide range of artifacts, photographs, illustrations, maps and film footage. Funding for the exhibition is being provided by a Grant-in-Aid from the Florida Division of Historical Resources.

The exhibition builds upon another current project, Reclaiming the Everglades, which is creating an online archives of books, documents and photographs from three South Florida collections (the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, the University of Miami and Florida International University). This project has brought artifacts, documents and perspectives to the attention of Historical Museum staff and serves as a foundation for the exhibition.

Traveling Exhibition Schedule

Tampa Bay History Center
September 10, 2002 - January 4, 2003

Collier County Museum
January 14 - May 19, 2003

Florida Museum of Natural History
June 12 - September 1, 2003