In partnership with the Archaeological Society of Southern Florida, the Deering Estate presents a free lecture on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Lectures take place in the Visitor Center Theatre at the Deering Estate, 16701 SW 72 Ave.
The free lecture on Thursday, Oct. 13, is “Why I Collect Maps: How They Relate to Historical Events in Florida” presented by Dr. John Nordt.
Dr. Nordt will give a wide-ranging talk about what old maps can tell us about the events which literally shaped the land where we live, touching on the interrelated topics of family history, the Seminole Wars and the hydrology of Florida, with particular focus on Lake Okeechobee.
Learn about unexpected outposts of the Underground Railroad in Florida, where runaway slaves forged close alliances with the Seminoles. See glimpses of the early landscape through the perceptions of Everglades explorer Hugh Willoughby, Seminole Wars General William S. Harney and industrialist-real estate developer Hamilton Disston.
Dr. Nordt is a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine and neck care. He is the medical director of the Spine Center of Miami located in the heart of Coral Gables.
The Archaeological Society of Southern Florida (ASSF) was established in 1949. The ASSF operates as a non-profit, volunteer organization which acts as a support mechanism for the office of the Miami-Dade County Archaeologist, serves as a focal point for local archaeology enthusiasts and professionals in the field, and helps to promote knowledge and appreciation of native archaeological and historical sites in the South Florida area.
The 450-plus-acre Deering Estate is an environmental, archaeological and historical preserve. This year the Deering Estate celebrates 30 years on the National Register of Historic Places and the 100th anniversary of Charles Deering’s purchase and restoration of the Richmond Hotel for his winter residence.
