Lemonade Lecture: The other War of 1812

Posted On: March 23, 2021

Join local historians Brian Polk and Mike Evans for a fascinating presentation on Florida's Patriot War at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 3, at DeBary Hall Historic Site, 198 Sunrise Blvd., DeBary. 

While the United States was fighting the British during the War of 1812, a separate conflict was taking place in Spain's Florida colony. President James Madison allowed an ill-advised operation that some compare to the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba to invade Florida and capture it for the United States illegally. There was international intrigue, subversion and cover-up, alliances with the Seminoles, skirmishes and battles, runaway slaves finding refuge with the Spanish, double-crossing and retaliation—a true-to-life historical thriller. 

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

Evans worked 26 years with the Florida Park Service and five years with the National Park Service.

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

Attendance is limited; advance registration is required and guests are asked to wear a mask. To make a reservation, call 386-668-3840 or email lperez@volusia.org.