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History of the Trail
Archaeology Speaker Series
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History of the Trail of the Lost Tribes
The Trail of the Lost Tribes was founded in 2000 by independent heritage interpreter Karen Fraley and Marty Ardren as an outgrowth of their interpretation of the Portavant Ceremonial complex in Manatee County. Their goal was to develop a network uniting publicly-accessible pre-Columbian archaeological sites in Florida for cross-marketing and educational purposes. The Trail received immediate and enthusiastic support from managers of such sites, archaeologists, and Dr. James J. Miller, then State Archaeologist of Florida and the Bureau of Archaeological Research, Department of State.
In 2001, the Trail developed along the Gulf Coast as a network of representatives of twelve archaeological sites, three heritage tour operators interpreting these sites, seven museums with pre-Columbian collections and one research center. Network members wrote the Trail's Mission Statement:
"To promote awareness, responsible visitation and protection of the remaining cultural sites of the original people of Florida. Interpretation will engage all levels, will be consistent and based on current science to encourage heritage tourism."
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In 2002, Network members voted to seek grants to produce an archaeology speaker series for the general public and a brochure to encourage archaeological/heritage tourism. Because the Trail had no legal status at this time, Time Sifters Archaeology Society in Sarasota, a chapter of the Florida Anthropological Society (FAS), agreed to write grants on behalf of the Trail to the Florida Humanities Council, VISIT FLORIDA, and the Frank E. Duckwall Foundation. All grants were awarded, enabling the Trail to produce a free archaeological speaker series in five communities featuring archaeologists Brent Weisman, Jerald Milanich, William Marquardt, John Worth, Karen Walker, Bill Burger, and Jeffrey Mitchem. The speaker series received strong support from academics and the general public. The Trail also produced its first full-color archaeological tourism-promotion brochure (at left) and distributed 25,000 copies free of charge through Trail sites, heritage interpreters, the convention and visitors bureaus in the 10 counties where Trail sites were located, FAS chapters, schools, and universities. |
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Despite having no permanent headquarters or staff, in 2003, the Trail grew beyond the Gulf Coast and enlarged to 21 sites and three independent heritage interpreters. It became a Florida nonprofit organization, formed an Advisory Council and a voluntary Board of Directors began the process of applying for Federal non-profit 501 (c)3 status. The Trail received repeat funding from FHC, the Duckwall Foundation and VISIT FLORIDA to produce a second very successful archaeological speaker series in seven communities in 2003. Archaeologists presenting were Brent Weisman, Ryan Wheeler, Margo Schwadron, Dale Hutchinson, Bill Burger, Jeffrey Mitchem, and Gary Ellis. The Trail also updated its popular brochure (at right)and began distribution of 50,000 copies statewide through the five VISIT FLORIDA Welcome Centers as well as through the same venues used in 2002. |
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 Riding
on this positive momentum, the Trail Board and Network members meeting
at the Randell Research Center on Pine Island voted to produce a
third archaeology
speaker series in 2005 and an updated third brochure late in
2005 (at left) when the supply of the 2003 brochure was anticipated to be
depleted.
Five Trail sites and the Seminole Tribe of Florida AH-TAH-THI-KI Museum eagerly volunteered to sponsor the 2005 series and choose the humanities scholars they wanted to present at their sites. All five scholars selected expressed enthusiastic willingness to present. As Lori Collins, M.A., states in her commitment letter, "I appreciate the opportunity that [being a speaker in the Trail series] provides in discussing my research with the interested public." The Trail's archaeological speaker series fulfills the Florida Humanities Council's mission of bringing scholars and the out-of-school public together to discuss the humanities subjects of archaeology and history. In keeping with FHC's current story-telling initiative, during each slide-illustrated lecture, humanities scholars will be encouraged to tell at least one story about the lives of the ancient people they've investigated to strengthen community awareness of our "ancestors of the land." Former State Archaeologist James J. Miller, Ph.D., introduced all the speakers and placed each lecture in a statewide context and to connect themes from presentation to presentation. As Dr. Miller states, "Until the creation of the Trail of the Lost Tribes, no organization filled the critical role of bringing archaeology and ancient native culture to the general public in an organized and effective fashion." Auxiliary activities at some 2005 events included scholar-guided tours of archaeological sites and museum exhibits and a well received children's workshop conducted by Heritage of the Ancient Ones which explained ancient tools, artifacts, and characteristics of ancient Native life ways in Florida. In 2006, the Trail was selected by the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources to develop, design and produce the Florida Native American Heritage Trail publication. This booklet will include over one hundred sites across Florida that offer information on the rich cultural heritage of Native Americans in Florida from the first humans, 12,000 years ago to the current era. Please refer to an article about this important publication in the Hot News Page and the Trail Newsletters page on this web-site. In 2007, the Trail formally changed its incorporated name to the Trail of Florida's Indian Heritage. The Trail also modified its mission statement to be: - promoting responsible site visitation and - public education of Florida's Indian Heritage Interpretation will engage all levels, will be consistent and based on current science to encourage heritage tourism. Please read the article on the Trail Newsletters page regarding the history and background for this important change.
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Home
History of the Trail
Archaeology Speaker Series
Trail Activities & Events
Become a Member!
Hot News
Trail Newsletters
Contact Us
Organization Members
Individual Member
Site Member