FORUM: Beyond the Pages

Susan Parker | Broad Stripes and Brights Stars | Spring 2026 Issue

Colonial historian Susan Parker discusses her article, Broad Stripes and Bright Stars—a recounting of the slow but eventual transition of power that ended 250 years of Spanish rule in Florida and signaled the beginning of the peninsula's journey to statehood. Susan Parker is a colonial historian specializing in the former Spanish presence in what is now the Southern United States. She is the editor of the book "Oldest City: The History of St. Augustine." To read the digital edition of FORUM magazine, go to floridahumanities.online [https://floridahumanities.online/]. And to receive the latest issue of FORUM magazine delivered to your door three times a year, consider becoming a Florida Humanities member at floridahumanities.org/membership [http://floridahumanities.org/membership]. Follow us on Social Media! Facebook: @floridahumanities Instagram and X: @flhumanities

Steven Noll | A Dream More than 30 Years in the Making | Spring 2026 Issue

Historian Steven Noll discusses his article, A Dream More than 30 Years in the Making—a celebration of the long-awaited reconstruction of Fort Mose in St. Augustine. The first free Black settlement in the United States. Steven Noll is an instructional professor in the University of Florida's history department. He has published four books, including Ditch of Dreams: The Cross-Florida Barge Canal and The Struggle for Florida's Future, and most recently, Writing for the Public Good: Essays from David R. Colburn and Sen. Bob Graham, which he edited.  To read the digital edition of FORUM magazine, go to floridahumanities.online [https://floridahumanities.online/]. And to receive the latest issue of FORUM magazine delivered to your door three times a year, consider becoming a Florida Humanities member at floridahumanities.org/membership [http://floridahumanities.org/membership]. Follow us on Social Media! Facebook: @floridahumanities Instagram and X: @flhumanities

Judith Bense | Before Jamestown, Before Plymouth | Spring 2026 Issue

Archeologist Dr. Judith Bense discusses her article, Before Jamestown, Before Plymouth—a vivid look into the 250 years of Spanish Florida. Dr. Judith Bense is a historical archaeologist specializing in Spanish West Florida and the author of six books, including "Early Spanish Florida: Unearthing the history of America’s Oldest Colony," which was co-published by Florida Humanities and the University Press of Florida. To read the digital edition of FORUM magazine, go to floridahumanities.online [https://floridahumanities.online/]. And to receive the latest issue of FORUM magazine delivered to your door three times a year, consider becoming a Florida Humanities member at floridahumanities.org/membership [http://floridahumanities.org/membership]. Follow us on Social Media! Facebook: @floridahumanities Instagram and X: @flhumanities

Robert Cassanello | Constituting Florida | Spring 2026 Issue

Historian Robert Cassanello discusses his article, Constituting Florida—an exploration of the many founding documents and events that helped shape the Sunshine State. Robert Cassanello is an associate professor of history at the University of Central Florida. He edited the book Crafting Constitutions in Florida by the University Press of Florida. To read the digital edition of FORUM magazine, go to floridahumanities.online [https://floridahumanities.online/]. And to receive the latest issue of FORUM magazine delivered to your door three times a year, consider becoming a Florida Humanities member at floridahumanities.org/membership [http://floridahumanities.org/membership]. Follow us on Social Media! Facebook: @floridahumanities Instagram and X: @flhumanities

Sita Singh | Mango Memories | Summer 2025 Issue

Children's author Sita Singh discusses her award-winning book, Mango Memories—a beautifully illustrated story about a young girl participating in a family tradition of harvesting mangoes. Earlier this year, Florida Humanities Center for the Book selected Sita's book as one of two titles to represent Florida literature at this year's National Book Festival in Washington D.C. Sita's work will be featured alongside fellow Florida Book Award winner Aracelis Gonzalez Asendorf and her book, Dressing the Saints. To read the digital edition of FORUM magazine, go to floridahumanities.online [https://floridahumanities.online/]. And to receive the latest issue of FORUM magazine delivered to your door three times a year, consider becoming a Florida Humanities member at floridahumanities.org/membership [http://floridahumanities.org/membership]. Follow us on Social Media! Facebook: @floridahumanities Instagram and X: @flhumanities