6/13/02 Dear Friends in Genealogy and History, Something we all have been looking for(and needing!) Hope this helps someone with their research. NOTED HISTORIAN DR. CANTER BROWN, JR. DISCUSSES BOOK ON POLK COUNTY HISTORY Historian Canter Brown, Jr. will discuss and sign copies of his book "In the Midst of All That Makes Life Worth Living: Polk County, Florida, to 1940" (commissioned by the Polk County Historical Association) on Wednesday, June 19 at 7:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 122 Brandon Town Center in Brandon (813-685-5503). Other local appearances: Thursday, June 20 at 12:00 Noon at the Polk County Historical Association¹s annual banquet at the Bartow Civic Center in Bartow. Call Madelyn Albritton at 863-428-1269 for lunch reservations ($12.50). Friday, June 21 at 10:00 a.m., at the Dr. C.C. Pearce Municipal Library, 103 E. Canal Street in Mulberry (863-425-3246). Dr. Canter Brown, Jr. is the author of many works on Florida history. Brown has received the Florida Historical Society¹s Rembert W. Patrick Book Award and the Certificate of Commendation of the American Association for State and Local History. He has taught at Florida A&M University and was the former historian-in-residence at the Tampa Bay History Center. >From the book¹s dustjacket: ³Award-winning historian Canter Brown, Jr. relates in these pages Polk¹s saga from its earliest inhabitants to the verge of World War II. Utilizing many previously neglected primary and secondary sources, Brown traces in-depth the county¹s evolution from Indian hunting ground and refuge, to Free Black sanctuary, white frontier outpost‹and, ultimately‹wealthy enclave, agricultural Eden and industrial center. Here is living, breathing history. Behold colorful characters, saints, sinners, and just ordinary folks.² ³Too often historians neglect the rich diversity that lies behind local heritage. Canter Brown¹s work has turned this unfortunate reality on its head. This book reveals true human experience in all its complexities and color.² ‹Larry Eugene Rivers, Distinguished Professor of History, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. Contact: Connie L. Brown Phone: (813) 926-8695 E-mail: [email protected] Shelby Bender Volunteer Director Quintilla Geer Bruton Archives Center East Hillsborough Historical Society 605 N. Collins Street Plant City FL 33566 [email protected]