Teachers in the third week of the 2006 workshops pose on the grand staircase at Flagler College before setting out to explore the "Ancient City." Photo by Paul Mueller.

Flagler College provides the perfect setting from which to study historic St. Augustine. Photo by Jay Gavitt.

Teachers tour a restored chapel at the Mission of Nombre de Dios, the first Spanish Mission established in the present-day United States. Photo by Bryan Bouton.

Historian Michael Gannon entertains and educates participants with his in-depth knowledge of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. Photo by Paul Mueller.

A teacher in the 2005 workshops tries her hand at archaeology during a visit to an archaeological dig. Photo by Cathy Goodacre-Lee.

A boat tour upon the Matanzas River provides spectacular views of St. Augustine's historic quarter and provides perspective on the treacherous arrival of the Spanish by sea. Photo by Bryan Bouton.

A blacksmith displays his skills at the Old Spanish Quarter living history museum as teachers look on. Photo by Cathy Goodacre-Lee.

St. Augustine Workshop - DELETE

This workshop is completed.
Between Columbus and Jamestown: Spanish St. Augustine 2007

The deadline to apply for the St. Augustine workshop has now passed.  Thank you for your interest.

Workshop for Teachers
June 18-23, June 25-30 2007

Dear Colleague:
The Florida Humanities Council invites educators from across the U.S. to join distinguished archaeologists, historians, and other scholars for a weeklong workshop: "Between Columbus and Jamestown: Spanish St. Augustine." Founded 55 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, St. Augustine is the oldest permanent European settlement in the U.S. and the place where most Western institutions first took root in America. This Spanish colonial, seaside city is home to some of North America's oldest houses, churches, government buildings, and democratic institutions. It offers us the perfect vantage point from which to examine another side of America's colonial experience, while placing Spanish Florida into the larger context of American history.

Theme
In their efforts to conquer and colonize North America, the Spanish brought to the "New World" different customs, values, and traditions from their colonial rivals, the British and the French. Unlike the Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock, who were fleeing religious persecution, Spanish colonists came to claim La Florida for the Spanish throne and to convert native peoples to Catholicism. The extensive network of missions they built is a testament to their conviction. Attitudes about race and the practice of slavery were also different, and nowhere is that more vividly demonstrated than at Fort Mose, America's first legally-sanctioned free black town, once located just outside of St. Augustine.

With St. Augustine as our point of reference, we will use a comparative approach to examine the colonial experiences that have shaped our country's history and heritage. This examination will propel us to ask provocative questions about how American history is written, interpreted, and disseminated.

Our weeklong investigation will be lead by preeminent historians, archaeologists and architectural historians. They will guide us in our examination of historical archives and archaeological artifacts and tour us through the wealth of national landmarks and preserved buildings that make up the city's historic quarter.

Content, Scholars, and Writing Assignment
St. Augustine's nearly intact historic district holds true to its 16th century city plan and offers the perfect laboratory for this workshop. During our week in the oldest city we will visit several one-of-a-kind landmarks. On the first day of the workshop the lead scholar will provide an overview of the week's themes, set the stage for the comparative historical framework, and pose the questions that will guide our work. Dr. James Cusick and Dr. Susan Parker will act as lead scholars for the workshops. Dr. Cusick is Curator of the P.K. Yonge Library of Florida History at the University of Florida. He holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology, and specializes in the study of the Spanish colonial period in Florida. Dr. Parker holds a Ph.D. from the University of Florida in Colonial American Studies and serves as a historian for the Florida Division of Historical Resources.

Topics for the week-long workshop will include:

• Native Americans and the Spanish Mission System
  The first Spaniards to arrive in Florida did not encounter a "virgin" land; Timucuan Indians had lived in the area for thousands of years. Participants will explore the Mission of Nombre de Dios, site of the first Spanish mission in the United States, founded at the Timucuan village of Seloy. This visit will set the stage for a discussion of Spanish missions in Florida and the relationship between colonial St. Augustinians and Native Americans. Archaeologist Dr. Bonnie McEwan will facilitate our study of the mission period. Dr. McEwan holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Florida, where she specialized in Spanish colonial archaeology and acculturation studies.
• Race and Slavery
  Colonial Spanish attitudes on race and slavery differed greatly from those of the English. Blacks were not necessarily relegated to forced servitude, and even those persons held as slaves in St. Augustine exercised more control over their own lives than did their counterparts in the north. Dr. Kathleen Deagan and Dr. Jane Landers will lead us in an exploration of Fort Mose, America's first legally-sanctioned free black town. Dr. Deagan, Distinguished Research Curator for the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida, was the principal investigator for the Fort Mose archaeology project, while Dr. Landers, Associate Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and Associate Professor of History at Vanderbilt University, served as chief historian. Their discussion of Fort Mose will reveal how the Spanish colonial mind-set differed from that of the English in terms of race and slavery.
• The Military
  For the first few hundred years of its existence St. Augustine was a military town. As such, a look at the role of the Spanish military in St. Augustine is crucial to a full understanding of the city's place in American history. Workshop participants will visit the Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine's most historically significant structure. Built entirely of coquina, a locally quarried shell stone, the massive fortress was completed in 1695 in order to protect the city from invasion, and to secure Spain's hold on Florida. Participants will examine the importance of the Castillo and the Spanish military under the guidance of their lead scholar.
• The Spanish Government and the Catholic Church
  The concept of 'separation of church and state' would have been incomprehensible to a Spanish colonial St. Augustinian, whose Catholicism would have been an integral part of his identity. Renowned historian Dr. Michael Gannon, Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida, will be our guide for a look at the role of the Spanish government and the Catholic Church in La Florida. In addition to his engaging talk, he will lead the group on a visit to The Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augustine. The Cathedral is home to the oldest Roman Catholic parish in the U.S. (established in 1565).
• Archaeology
  Much of what is known about St. Augustine's remarkable history has been discovered through the collaboration of archaeologists and historians. St. Augustine's unique Archaeological Preservation Ordinance requires archaeological review of all construction projects within a designated zone in the historic district. Cultural remains extending from the Orange period to the recent past have been discovered as a result. City archaeologist Carl Halbirt will escort participants to an archaeological dig to uncover what archaeology can tell us about the Ancient City.
• Architecture
  St. Augustine boasts one of the largest collections of restored and reconstructed colonial architecture in the United States. Workshop participants will examine St. Augustine's rich architectural heritage with Herschel Shepard, Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida's School of Architecture. By comparing colonial Spanish architecture to that of the British, participants will see how culture is reflected in the buildings and structures that a society erects.
• And More!
  Participants will also enjoy a boat tour of the intracoastal waterway to explore the role of the sea in St. Augustine's history, as well as visits to the Gonzalez-Alvarez House, St. Augustine's oldest surviving house (c. 1723), the Government House, an administrative center for the city of St. Augustine since the late 16th century, and the archives of the St. Augustine Historical Society.

Reading and Writing Assignments
Before the workshop begins participants will be mailed a course readings packet and two books which they should complete prior to their arrival in St. Augustine.

During the week participants will explore the teacher resources website produced as part of the 2004, 2005, and 2006 Between Columbus and Jamestown: Spanish St. Augustine workshops. Part of this exploration will focus on lesson plans available on the site. With the web site in mind participants will create a lesson plan, or some similar curriculum project, incorporating knowledge gained during the workshop. The projects should translate workshop content into age and grade appropriate material for students. Creativity is encouraged, and participants should work on a project that will ultimately be of use in their own classroom. Participants may work in small groups of up to three people. Appropriate lesson plans will be posted on the Spanish Colonial St. Augustine
Teacher Resources website at:  www.flahum.org/colonial.

In-service Credit
At the completion of each workshop the Florida Humanities Council will present participants with a certificate of completion certifying them for 35 in-service points. College credit is not available for this workshop.

Logistics

When
Each workshop begins on Monday afternoon and ends the following Saturday morning. On your application, please indicate your order of preference regarding weeks that you would like to attend.

Week One:    June 18-23
Week Two:    June 25-30

Where
St. Augustine, Florida is a quaint colonial town located on the Atlantic coast. In addition to its myriad historical attributes it boasts beautiful beaches and a lively arts and cultural community. Several local museums outside of the purview of the workshop have graciously offered free admission for workshop participants during their stay. St. Augustine is served by a major airport in nearby Jacksonville.

For more information on St. Augustine visit at http://www.getaway4florida.com/.

The workshops take place on the campus of Flagler College – a beautifully restored historic hotel that dates from the turn-of-the century. Lodging is available in the college's newest Residence Hall, in single occupancy rooms with semi-private bath (two rooms share one bathroom.) All rooms are wired for high-speed internet access. Dining arrangements have been secured on campus for workshop participants. Participants will also have campus access to a modern library and up-to-date computer facilities.

Who
This program is open to public, private, and home-school teachers as well as other selected school personnel (see the application information section for more details). Teachers and administrators from all grade levels and disciplines (e.g., history, social studies, literature, foreign languages, theater, art, music, science, and mathematics) may apply.

Cost
Each participant will receive a stipend of $500 to help cover food, lodging, and travel. Single occupancy dorm rooms with semi-private bath (two rooms share one bathroom), are available at our host institution, historic Flagler College, for $36 a night. A meal plan is also available for workshop participants for approximately $150 for the entire week. With participants' consent, FHC will retain the cost of food and lodging directly from the stipend; the remainder will be paid at the workshop. Additional travel funds are available for participant travel on a case-by-case basis, and will be paid at the conclusion of the workshop.

Application Instructions
The deadline to apply for the St. Augustine workshop has now passed.  Thank you for your interest.

Sincerely,
Monica Rowland
Project Director: "Between Columbus and Jamestown: Spanish St. Augustine."
The Florida Humanities Council
mrowland@flahum.org
(727) 873-2005

This project is funded as part of the We the People initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Sharing the lessons of history with all Americans.