Learn about Western Hemisphere’s original people

Posted On: September 25, 2020

Brian Polk will provide a whirlwind presentation traveling back 30,000 years, crossing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, revealing some surprising facts and theories about the Western Hemisphere's original people and who might have contacted them. The lecture will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at DeBary Hall Historic Site, 198 Sunrise Blvd.

When Columbus arrived in the Caribbean in 1492, the Americas and the islands were inhabited by hundreds of thousands of native people from the arctic to South America's tip. Polk will explain how those people got here, whether or not they crossed the Bering Strait 12,000 years ago, and why Mesoamerica cultures were more advanced compared to those in North America.

Polk was the DeLeon Springs State Park manager from 2005-2018, working in 14 parks at the state parks' central office in Tallahassee.

His presentation is part of the free Lemonade Lectures series, which is sponsored by Volusia County. Light refreshments and lemonade will be served.

Attendance is limited to 15 persons to allow for social distancing. Advance registration is required; call 386-668-3840, ext. 21136.