Amazing May

Save the dates!  If you love history and archaeology, the second and third weekends of May, 2013 will knock your socks off in St. Augustine.  On May 10, 11, and 12, the Florida Anthropological Society (FAS)will hold its 65th Annual Meeting at Flagler College hosted by the St. Augustine Archaeological Association (SAAA), the local FAS chapter.  The following weekend the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation will hold its 35th Annual Statewide Conference at the Casa Monica Hotel.  The week between the two conferences will have field trips, tours, workshops and special events sponsored by both organizations.

                                                                                                  In May of 2013, the City of St. Augustine will also be offering events focused on the Viva Florida 500th commemoration and the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine.  Romanza St. Augustine, a 450th arts organization, will be presenting a week long arts and music festival in St. Augustine May 14 through May 20, the very same week between the FAS and Florida Trust conferences . 

St. Augustine between May 10 and May 20 should be a time to remember!

From Ponce de Leon to Flagler's Ponce Hotel - that is the theme of the 65th    FAS Annual Meeting.  The meeting will kick off with a reception at the Fountain of Youth on Friday evening, May 10.   The reception will be catered by Chef David Bearl of the First Coast Technical College, School of Culinary Arts. Colonial period hors d' oeuvres, wine, and beer will be served.  Tours of the Menendez landing site and archaeological exhibits based on Dr. Kathleen Deagan's University of Florida excavations will be conducted.

On Saturday, May 11, academic papers by local, state and regional archaeologists will be presented at the Ringhaver Student Center at Flagler College.  Saturday evening, a banquet in the Ponce Hotel Tiffany Dining Room will be catered by Chef Bearl.  His menu will reflect the meal served opening night at Henry Flagler's Ponce Hotel on January 10, 1888.  Dr. Kathleen Deagan will be the keynote speaker.

Sunday, May 12 will offer an early morning boat ride on the Matanzas River narrated by Robin Moore, a local marine archaeologist and County Archaeologist.   Later in the day, Carl Halbirt, St. Augustine City Archaeologist, will narrate a trolley tour of St. Augustine's rich archaeological heritage.  Tours of the Lighthouse Maritime Archaeological Museum and the Tolomato Cemetery are also being planned.

To find out more information about these fabulous May, 2013 events, check out the following web sites:
St. Augustine Archaeological Association  http://saaa.shutterfly.com
Florida Anthropological Society   www.fasweb.org
Florida Trust for Historic Preservation  www.floridatrust.org
Romanza St. Augustine   www.romanzastaugustine.org
Florida Public Archaeology Network  www.flpublicarchaeology.org

Hope to see you at some of these history making and archaeology exploring events!