Resources

flor500 catalog

500 flowers

500 historical figures

In developing Flower Force, Cortada took his FLOR500 participatory eco-art project as a point of departure. The goals of both are to help Floridians commemorate the multicultural origins of our state, understand how much the people and the landscape has been transformed since colonization, and to encourage participants to help shape the future natural and human history of Florida.

FLOR500 focuses on Spain’s naming and colonizing the peninsula in 1513, while Flower Force marks the point when the United States acquired Florida from Spain. Because the transformation of Florida’s landscape has been so drastic, the artist encourages all Floridians to restore “what was” as a first step to building a future more in tune with nature.

Brief Timeline of Florida History

10,000+ B.C.

A.D. 700


1513


1740

1763


1783

1819

1821


1845

1861

1881

1905 – 1912

1980

2013

Hunting and gathering Paleoindians present in Florida

Beginning of tribes and chiefdoms eventually met by the Spaniards: Timucuans, Apalachee, Calusa, Tequesta

Juan Ponce de Leon landed north of Cape Canaveral and named Florida

British invaded Florida, native populations diminished

Treaty of Paris ended French and Indian War, Spain ceded Florida to Britain

Florida returned to Spain, in exchange for Bahamas and Gibraltar

Signing of the Adams-Onís Treaty, ceding Florida to the United States

Ratification of the Adams-Onís Treaty, Spain officially transfers Florida to the United States

Florida admitted to the Union as a state

Civil War, Florida was part of the Confederacy

Beginning of the draining and development of the Everglades 

Construction of Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad to Key West

“Mariel Boatlift” brought 120,000 Cuban immigrants to Key West

Commemoration of the 500th Anniversary of Ponce De Leon’s arrival in Florida

Xavier Cortada, Conquistadores, 2007, (acrylic on canvas)

wildflower resources

featured wildflowers

The Florida Wildflower Foundation protects, connects and expands native wildflower habitats through education, research, planting and conservation.

To produce and supply high-quality wildflower seed and plant material for landscape professionals and the consumer with a commitment to quality and service.