Digital Discussion: The Battle of Fort Wagner
The Battle of Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863, was an assault led by the 54th Massachusetts, which was depicted in the movie Glory. Fort Wagner was located on Morris Island in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.
In addition to the 54th Massachusetts Infantry lead by Robert Gould Shaw there were two brigades composed of nine regiments. The first brigade was composed of the 54th
Massachusetts, 6th Connecticut, 48th New York, 3rd New Hampshire, 76th Pennsylvania, and the 9th Maine regiments. The second brigade consisted of the 7th New Hampshire, 62nd Ohio, 67th Ohio, and the 100th New York regiments. The two brigades successfully scaled the parapet and entered Fort Wagner; but they were driven out with heavy casualties and forced to retreat. Join Museum Manager Holly Shaffer for this free informative presentation.
Click here to register for this virtual discussion.
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Step Into History Digital Edition – Ford and Fort Myers
Join Historian Tim Snyder as he examines Ford’s impact on the people of Fort Myers which began in 1914 when he and his family were invited to Edison’s winter estate for a winter vacation. Henry Ford fell in love with the tiny town of Fort Myers during his 1914 vacation which began the story of Ford in Fort Myers.
Registration is required, click here to request an invitation.
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This presentation is made possible by a grant from the Rotary Club of Fort Myers.
Digital Discussion: General George Armstrong Custer
Discover the story of George Armstrong Custer who died at the age of thirty-six. Learn about his academic career at United States Military Academy know as West Point and 
his time as a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars. Custer achieved lasting fame after his death at the battle of Little Bighorn. Custer’s wife Libby advanced his fame with the publication of several books about her late husband. Join Museum Manager Holly Shaffer for this free informative presentation. Click here to register for the program.
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Garden Tour (Registration Required)
Horticulturalists lead behind-the-scenes garden tours which include 20 acres of historic gardens, crop gardens, propagating nursery, and Garden
Shoppe full of exotic, heritage and edible plants for gardens and containers.
The garden tour is offered the second Wednesday of the month, and tickets go on sale online the first of each month for that month’s tour. Registration is limited – click here for online ticketing.
Members: $30, non-members: $35
Grow Fort Myers & Orchid Symposium
Come learn, buy and enjoy! Several FREE workshops will be offered and vendors will have orchids available for sale.
Workshops will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Some topics include:
* Cattleya Culture
* Phalaenopsis Culture
* Choosing the Correct Light
* Introduction to Brazilian and Venezuelan Orchids
* Designing with Orchids
Participating Vendors and Guest Speakers:
Aunt Jenny’s Garden, Bello Tropicals, Blue Pagoda, Florida Orchid House, Jim-N-I Orchids, Alexandra Kravchenko Orchids, Red Hawk Nursery, So Orchids, Southwest Florida Orchid Society, Sunland Orchids and more! Food vendors include Panini Genie, Nickle City, Kamy’s Kettle Korn and the Banyan Café.
Seating for the workshops is available on a first-come, first-served basis, standing room is available for overflow. Admission to the event is free; admission to the museum, lab, or riverside of the property is not included. Free parking. See you there!
Sponsored by: 
Baseball Presentation – Roberto Clemente in Fort Myers
Roberto Clemente 
played Spring Training games with the Pittsburg Pirates in Fort Myers for 14 years. Some consider him the greatest player of all time. Join museum manager Holly Shaffer for an informative history of Clemente’s time in Fort Myers.
Digital Discussion: Women in the Revolutionary War
Discover the story of the women during the Revolutionary War, who were known as Molly Pitchers. Was there one Molly Pitcher or many ? What was their role during the 
Revolutionary War? Join Museum Holly Shaffer for this free informative presentation.
Click here to register.
Visit our archives to see previous digital discussions.
Volunteer Meeting and Guest Lecture: America at War – Operation Market Garden
In the summer of 1944, plans began for an operation to seize a bridge over the lower Rhine River at Arnhem in Holland. The American part of the mission was to employ the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions to seize key features that might delay the advance of British XXX Corps tanks towards the bridge. They succeeded in their tasks of capturing the vital bridges at Eindhoven and Nijmegen. However, the delays caused to the British armored advance, combined with strong German resistance at Arnhem led to the withdrawal of the remnants of the British 1st Airborne Division in one of the costliest defeats of World War. Join military historian Duane Shaffer for a discussion of this important operation.
This meeting is free and open to the public.
Location: South Florida Water Management Lecture Hall 2301 McGregor Blvd
Step Into History Digital Edition: Firestone Liberia Rubber Plantation
Join our historian Spencer for a Step Into History digital presentation on the Firestone Liberia Rubber Plantation. Discover how the quest for an American-controlled rubber
crop turned into a whirlwind of human rights abuses, political corruption, and exploitation in West Africa. Registration is required for this free virtual presentation.
Click here to register.
Or click here to see our archives.
