Florida Museum highlights state's ranching history

February 7, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History opens two exhibits exploring the state’s ranching and cowboy legacy this weekend.

“Florida Cattle Ranching: Five Centuries of Tradition” and “Florida Cowboys: Keepers of the Last Frontier, Photographs by Carlton Ward Jr.,” open at 10 a.m. Saturday with a full slate of activities.

“Visitors can experience the excitement of Florida’s cattle ranching culture through our opening day activities,” said the museum’s education coordinator Kendra Lanza-Kaduce. “The number of groups scheduled to participate make this the largest public opening event the Florida Museum has hosted.”

“Florida Cattle Ranching” examines one of Florida’s oldest and economically significant traditions, from its 16th-century, Spanish origins to Seminoles, Crackers and modern-day ranching.

“Florida Cowboys” illustrates the role ranches play in Florida’s economic wealth and the conservation of nature as well as the raw beauty of Florida’s ranch land.

Today, more than 1 million cattle graze on 5 million acres of pasture and woodland, and Florida is one of the top five beef-producing states east of the Mississippi River.

Photographer Ward will present three “walk and talk” tours of his “Florida Cowboys” exhibit and discuss the important conservation role of cattle ranches. “The exhibit focuses on Florida ranch lands and culture and the environment it protects,” Ward said. “It’s an unseen and tremendously important part of Florida.”

Outside the museum, visitors will be able to interact with Florida Cracker Horse Association members displaying Cracker cattle and horses.

Visitors can also talk to 19th-century Florida cattle ranch re-enactors and learn traditional roping techniques from members of the Florida Cattleman’s Association.

Award-winning whip poppers from Polk County are scheduled to present demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

”These activities provide a fun way to explore a significant part of Florida’s history that many of our visitors may not be familiar with,” said Darcie MacMahon, Florida Museum assistant director for exhibits.

Other planned activities include spur- and saddle-making demonstrations and displays of antique tools and ranching equipment collections.

Both exhibits run through May 8, and the Florida Museum of Natural History is the last stop on the “Florida Cattle Ranching” tour.

For more information, visit http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/.