Digital Discussion: The Life and Legacy of Mary McLeod Bethune
Explore the remarkable story of civil rights activist, philanthropist, and educator Mary McLeod Bethune. In 1904, Bethune moved to the east coast of Florida and founded Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute with only five students. In 2022, her statue was placed in the National Statuary Hall at the US Capitol, one of two statues representing the state of Florida.
Join Program Manager Holly Shaffer for this free virtual lecture. Registration is required. Click here to register.
Digital Discussion: Florida’s Contribution to Aviation History
January’s Digital Discussion will tell the story of Florida’s contribution to aviation history. Many of the pioneers of the air came from Florida. it will also touch on Ford Motor Company’s role in aviation history. 
Join Program Manager Holly Shaffer for this free virtual lecture.
Click here to register.
Digital Discussion: Christmas During the Great War
Discover the holiday observances and traditions of The Great War on the battlefield and the home front. It was during World
Christmas Truce by Frederic Villiers
War that Thomas Edison served on the Naval Consulting Board. Join Program Manager Holly Shaffer for this free virtual lecture.
Registration is required for this free event. Click here to register.
Digital Discussion: Mina Miller Edison, Benefactor of Fort Myers
Join Program Manager Holly Shaffer for this free Digital Discussion about Mina Miller Edison and the role she played in the history of Fort Myers. Discover her thoughts about the City of Palms and her lasting legacy in the area.
Click here to register for this free virtual lecture.
Digital Discussion: Who is Gettysburg Eddie?
Eddie Plank was a Hall of Fame baseball player from the Philadelphia Athletics who holds two baseball records. Plank is the left handed pitcher with
the most complete games and no southpaw has more shutouts than he.
After retiring from baseball he returned to his hometown of Gettysburg where he passed away at the age of 50. Join us for this digital discussion of the story of Eddie Plan aka Gettysburg Eddie and learn more about this amazing man.
Click here to register for this digital discussion.
Digital Discussion: Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh in Southwest Florida
Learn about the Lindbergs and their connection to Southwest Florida. Discover why they came here and how they spent their time in Southwest Florida. Join Program Manager Holly Shaffer for this digital discussion.
Charles and Anne Lindbergh, 1929
Registration is required for this free lecture. Click here to register.
Click HERE to view our digital discussion catalog.
Digital Discussion: Joshua Chamberlain and the Civil War
Did you know that during the Civil War, Thomas Edison was a teenage telegraph operator?
Meanwhile, a college professor in Pennsylvania named Joshua Chamberlain would lead his troops into battle at Little Round Top at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Join Program Manager Holly Shaffer for this digital discussion. Holly was a volunteer docent at the Joshua Chamberlain Museum in Brunswick, Maine before becoming Site Program Manager at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates.
Registration is required for this free lecture. Click here to register.
Digital Discussion: The Ringlings of Sarasota
In the 1924 while Thomas and Mina Edison were visiting their winter home Seminole Lodge in Fort Myers, John and Mable Ringling began building their home Ca’ d’Zan in Sarasota. Learn about the history of the Ringlings in Sarasota and their connection to Thomas Edison.
Join Program Manager Holly Shaffer for this Free Digital Discussion. Registration is required.
Click here to register for this free webinar.
Free Digital Discussion: Baseball during the Civil War
According to Thomas Edison, “baseball is the greatest of American games”.
Edison was a teen during the Civil War. Learn about his favorite game, how it was played during the time of the Civil War, and how it affected the soldiers. Join Program Manager Holly Shaffer for this Free Digital Discussion. Registration is required.
Click here to register for this free digital discussion.
