The Legacy of A Land Remembered

Wednesday, December 2, 2026 | 6:00 – 7:30PM

An Evening with Rick Smith, Son of Author Patrick D. Smith

Join us for a special evening celebrating one of Florida’s most beloved works of literature, A Land Remembered, with Rick Smith, son of acclaimed author Patrick D. Smith.

Patrick D. Smith’s iconic novel has introduced generations of readers to a Florida that existed long before highways, high-rises and sprawling development. Through the fictional MacIvey family, the novel traces three generations of Florida life from 1858 to 1968, weaving together family, survival, hardship, change and the profound relationship between people and the land.

But what inspired Patrick Smith to tell this story? How did he research the people, places and events that brought old Florida to life? And what was it like to watch his father create a book that would become such an enduring part of Florida’s cultural heritage?

Rick Smith offers a unique, personal perspective on his father’s life and literary legacy. With a background in photography, media, and video production, Rick created Patrick Smith’s Florida Is A Land Remembered, a multimedia presentation featuring more than 40 original video clips, photographs, and an interview with his father. For eight years, he toured Florida, sharing his father’s stories with audiences at museums, libraries, schools, festivals, and performing arts centers.

Since his father’s passing in 2014, Rick has continued carrying the torch for his father’s literary legacy, helping introduce new generations to the beloved MacIvey story. Through his experiences and personal connection to the author, Rick offers an intimate look behind the pages of A Land Remembered and the Florida his father knew, loved, and sought to preserve through his writing.

Guests will discover the stories behind the story and gain a deeper appreciation for the people, landscapes, and history that shaped one of Florida’s most treasured novels.

Whether you have read A Land Remembered for years or are discovering it for the first time, this is an evening you won’t want to miss!

ADMISSION
$25 per person | Members and Non Members

Please Pay Online to ensure your seat.
This talk is expected to sell out – there is no guaranteed availability at the door

Any Questions, please call us at (772) 225-1961