People

Diverse cultures and perspectives are represented by the people that historically lived their lives within the present-day boundaries of the Preserve. Choose a person below to learn more about that era in Preserve history and where you can visit that focuses on his or her story.

 

Chief Athore

Florida State Archives

Timucua Speaking Tribes

The Timucuan people and their ancestors lived in this area thousands of years prior to the arrival of Europeans. More...

 

Jean Ribault

Smith College

Colonists

French Captain Jean Ribault sailed into the mouth of the St. Johns River in 1562. He landed and met the native people, the Timucua. More...

 

Easter

Florida State Archives

Slavery

Easter was "born a slave". She is one of the hundreds of enslaved men, women, and children that lived at Kingsley Plantation. More...

 

Gertrude Rollins Wilson

NPS photograph

Recreation

Gertrude Rollins Wilson was the daughter of John Rollins, who came to Florida in 1869 and helped push the area into the recreation era. More...

 

Willie Browne

Florida Times-Union

Conservation

The foundations of Willie Browne's cabin stand as a testament to the gift he gave to future visitors. More...

 

Cosmo Community Member

NPS/Layla Neal

Gullah Geechee Communities

People connected by kinship and culture settled nearby in the post-plantation era. More...