Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History

<center>La Florida</center>

<center>On view March 12, 2026-Spring 2027</center>

On July 4, 2026, the United States of America celebrates its 250th anniversary. While Florida can only claim statehood for 174 of those years, its involvement in America’s history begins far earlier than that. Home to Indigenous people for thousands of years before becoming the site of the oldest European settlement in the country, Florida and its inhabitants have always been a part of America’s story. Using Christopher Still’s painting, La Florida, we can begin to tell the stories of the varied cultures, ideas, symbols, and histories that make up the Florida we know today.

La Florida, the triptych (three-paneled painting) displayed here, was completed in 2013. Created to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de León’s naming of Florida, it contains multiple levels of symbolism and historic references. This painting took four years to complete, requiring travel to Spain, Cuba, and multiple locations throughout Florida to research and gather content. Looking at the composition of the paintings we can see the Indigenous and European influences contributing to Florida’s rich history. Reproductions of this hang in the Florida House in Washington D.C., the Florida Governor’s mansion, and the Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History.

Visit the Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History at the University of North Florida, to see La Florida in person, and experience our interactive exhibit. Available until Spring 2027.

Click here to view the digital exhibit.

Visit during our regular hours to view the exhibit in person.

If you would like a transcript of the exhibit, please email us at lib-alcfh@unf.edu.