Mission Statement

To Search, To Study, To Share

The Traces of Our Past project seeks to facilitate the search for the hidden histories of the Manatee River communities. By examining the archaeological record, conducting historical research, and collecting a wide array of personal histories, Traces of Our Past contributes to forming a more multi-dimensional historical narrative of the area, one that includes pre-Columbian Indians and Seminoles, Spanish explorers and Cuban fishermen, free Blacks and enslaved Africans, and Anglo-American pioneering men, women and children.

Traces of Our Past is committed to the sharing of knowledge. Traces of Our Past endeavors to promote understanding and appreciation of the area's many histories by partnering academics and the general public, and by encouraging historians, cultural anthropologists, archaeologists, and community activists to work together.

A greater understanding of our multi-dimensional past contributes to creating a sense of place for all the various peoples of the Manatee River communities.

Project Participants

Dr. Uzi Baram earned his PhD in Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts, and is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at New College of Florida. As an anthropologist, Dr. Baram's studies revolve around material culture, power, and social identity. He is known as an innovative scholar on the Middle East. Locally, Dr. Baram is well-known for the long list of public archaeology projects that he has both initiated and contributed to, including work at the Rosemary Cemetery, the Venice Train Depot, and his ongoing work with the Looking for Angola project.

Dr. Canter Brown, Jr. is a native of Fort Meade, Florida and earned a BA, JD, and PhD degree in history from Florida State University. One of Florida's leading historians, Dr. Brown is the author of many, many works on Florida and southern history, including the award winning Florida's Peace River Frontier. His most recent work is "Go Sound the Trumpets, Selections in Florida's African American History." Dr. Brown is currently Special Assistant and Counsel to the President, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia. He has spent 17 years researching, writing and lecturing about the settlement of Angola, and has been a key inspiration to this project and others searching for the hidden histories of the Manatee River.

Kathryn Dungy holds a BA from Spelman College and a MA and PhD in History from Duke University. Dr. Dungy is Assistant Professor of History at New College of Florida, in Sarasota. Her special area of interest and expertise is issues of race, class, and gender in Caribbean and Latin American history.

Charlie Fenwick served as Superintendent at De Soto National Memorial from 2001 to 2006. Charlie sponsored the Florida Humanities Council grant application that funded the first Traces of Our Past project. Charlie is currently Superintendent of Fort Pulaski National Monument in Savannah, Georgia.

Karen Fraley is a naturalist and an educator specializing in environmental education consulting, curriculum writing, guided nature walks, and outdoor education classes. As a native of Bradenton and owner of Around the Bend Nature Tours, Karen is both personally and professionally dedicated to connecting people of all ages with the natural and cultural heritage of Manatee County.

Rodney Keith Jones grew up in Bradenton and is working to strengthen the community through his work as the community liaison for Bradenton Front Porch Florida. Recent accomplishments include partnering with local businesses, nonprofit and faith-based organizations to bring programs such as youth entrepreneurship training to local high school students.

Cliff Kevill is the acting Superintendent at De Soto National Memorial. Cliff is a native of Portsmouth, VA and a Sociology/Anthropology BA graduate of East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. He is a 21-year veteran of the National Park Service with extensive experience in interpretation, law enforcement, and resource management.

Jay Martin holds a PhD in History and a MA in American Studies from Bowling Green State University. Dr. Martin specializes in maritime and environmental history and has over twenty years experience in the administration of cultural resources. Dr. Martin recently served as Executive Director of the American Victory Mariners Memorial and Museum Ship in Tampa and is currently a Ranger at De Soto National Memorial in Bradenton, Florida.

Margo Schwadron earned her MA in archaeology from the University of Florida and is an archaeologist for the National Park Service's Southeast Archeological Center in Tallahassee. Margo's extensive archaeological work at De Soto National Memorial was key to opening up the possibilities of multiple histories here on De Soto Point.

Felicia Silpa earned her BA in Social Science at New College of Florida and is currently seeking a master's degree in Applied Anthropology with a concentration in Public Archaeology at the University of South Florida.

Sherry Svekis is the founder and project director of Traces of Our Past. Sherry holds a BA in anthropology and history from New College of Florida and is on the Board of Timesifters Archaeological Society.