OCEANSIDE LECTURE SERIES-WELCOME BACK

LECTURES AT THE HOUSE OF REFUGE
150 Years of History. Stories You Won’t Want to Miss.

For 150 years, the House of Refuge at Gilbert’s Bar has stood as a witness to the history of Florida’s Treasure Coast. Now, we’re bringing some of that history to life through the Oceanside Lecture Series—an exciting lineup of talks exploring the people, events, legends, and stories that shaped our coast.

From shipwrecks and pirates to Prohibition, wartime history, rum runners, and the fascinating world beneath our shoreline, there’s something here for every history lover, curious local, and Florida enthusiast.

SMALL VENUE. BIG STORIES. LIMITED SEATING.

Most lectures are limited to just 35 attendees, making these intimate programs a great opportunity to hear from knowledgeable presenters and dive deeper into the history you thought you knew.

Members: $5 | Non-Members: $10
Limited to 35 attendees

Shuttle service will be available from the Elliott Museum to the House of Refuge. Please plan to arrive at the Elliott Museum up to one hour before the lecture, as shuttle space is limited.

PICK YOUR LECTURE. SAVE YOUR SEAT. THEN GET READY TO DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW.

WELCOME BACK HOUSE OF REFUGE
Wednesday, November 4 | 1:30–2:30 PM
Presenter: Catherine Larsen, Keeper of the House

The House of Refuge is back—and this is your chance to hear the story behind its extraordinary restoration.

Join Catherine Larsen, Keeper of the House of Refuge, as she reveals the remarkable work that brought this historic landmark back to life and the stories uncovered along the way.

BE AMONG THE FIRST TO HEAR THE STORY!
This is more than a lecture. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the House of Refuge as it begins its next chapter.

SAVE YOUR SEAT:

PROHIBITION IN THE ’20s
When Florida Had a Taste for Trouble
Monday, January 11 | 1:30–3:00 PM
Presenter: Al Simbritz

The 1920s. Prohibition. Bootlegging. And a Florida coast that had plenty of stories to tell.

Step back into the Roaring Twenties and discover the fascinating world of Prohibition in the 1920s.

POUR YOURSELF INTO SOME HISTORY.

SAVE YOUR SEAT:

SCALAWAG, MARAUDER, PIRATE:
THE DON PEDRO GILBERT STORY
Wednesday, February 3 | 1:30–3:00 PM
Presenter: Rob Urbanovich

Pirate? Marauder? Scalawag?

Meet Don Pedro Gilbert, one of the most intriguing figures connected to Florida’s pirate history, and explore the story behind the legend.

AH… NOW THIS ONE SOUNDS LIKE TROUBLE.

COME HEAR THE STORY:

ANASTASIA LIMESTONE & INTERTIDAL MARINE LIFE
Wednesday, February 17 | 1:30–3:00 PM
Presenter: John Wakeman

Look a little closer at the shoreline.

Explore Anastasia Limestone and the fascinating marine life found within the intertidal zone in this Oceanside Lecture Series presentation with John Wakeman.

THERE’S A WHOLE WORLD BETWEEN THE TIDE LINES.

SAVE YOUR SEAT:

DISCOVER WHAT’S DOWN THERE
Wednesday, March 3 | 1:30–3:00 PM
Presenter: Julie Witham

Another opportunity to gather, learn, and discover more about the history and stories connected to our remarkable coastal community.

ONE MORE REASON TO LOVE FLORIDA HISTORY.

SAVE YOUR SEAT: Lecture topic details will be announced.

RUM RUNNERS
Wednesday, April 7 | 1:30–3:00 PM
Presenter: John Tichy

Fast boats. Secret cargo. The Florida coast.

Step into the fascinating world of rum runners and discover the people and stories behind one of the most colorful chapters in coastal history.

HISTORY HAS NEVER BEEN THIS CLOSE TO THE WATER.

DON’T MISS THIS ONE

NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
Wednesday, May 5 | Offsite Lecture
Presenter: Catherine Larsen

We’re taking the Oceanside Lecture Series offsite for this special program featuring the Native Plant Society.

Join Catherine Larsen for a look at Florida’s native plants and the natural world that makes our coastal environment so unique.

TAKE THE SERIES OUTSIDE!

WATCH FOR DETAILS & SAVE THE DATE: Lecture details and location to be announced

DON’T MISS A SINGLE STORY.

The Oceanside Lecture Series is your invitation to explore the history, people, nature, and stories that make Florida’s Treasure Coast extraordinary.

Seats are limited. The stories are not.

Choose your a lecture or choose all! Bring your curiosity. And get ready to see the House of Refuge and our coast in a whole new way.

EACH LECTURE: Members: $5 | Non-Members: $10
Limited to 35 attendees

Shuttle service will be available from the Elliott Museum to the House of Refuge. Please plan to arrive at the Elliott Museum up to one hour before the lecture, as shuttle space is limited.

Questions? Call 772-225-1875.