Gladesmen Heritage Foundation

🏁 Recently Driver Dan Greenling and the second grade students of the Community School of Naples enjoyed a Swamp Buggy Demo Day! 🏁
-Mr. Dan Greenling, Naples resident, five-time world champion swamp buggy driver and holder of the world record time on the swamp buggy track, brought his swamp buggy to CSN and shared it with second graders.
Students first learned about the history of swamp buggy racing, as well as some of the safety precautions drivers and race organizers take. Mr. Greenling fielded over 100 thoughtful questions from our inquisitive, polite students. Then they got to see and hear Mr. Greenling's swamp buggy up close. When the next swamp buggy races resume in the fall, many students said they felt inspired to go see them in action.-
🏁 Thank you Dan for a great representation of our favorite sport! 🏁

CANEPOLE CLASSIC Signups.⬇️

2nd Annual Canepole Classic Get ready for the 2nd Annual Canepole Classic - a fun-filled day of fishing, friendly competition, and good vibes by the water!

 Check out this great read about one of the pioneers of the Gladesmen culture. Stories like the one below from the Florida Department of State are important. Regulations of the activities that take place on federal land, and the management of the land itself are tied in with our cultural identities.
The preservation of the cultural landscape of the Everglades has never been more important than now. The National Park service is responsible for identifying and planning for the protection of cultural resources. The enabling legislation of America’s National Parks is clear that management decisions should demonstrate respect for the people that are associated with those resources.
 At this time we we need to establish a list of the people and the family ethnographies that are tied to the Everglades National Park , Big Cypress National Preserve and Biscayne National Park.
 Together as a cultural community, we can ensure that there is a way for our future generations to preserve our heritage.
Please follow our page to see how you can help.
Thanks GHF



Glen Simmons - Division of Arts and Culture - Florida Department of State Glen Simmons (1916-2009) was an Everglades skiff builder from the Florida City area, south of Homestead. His father bought two acres that year, farmed, and grafted trees for people who were setting out groves. Simmons and his two brothers attended school in Homestead.

Museum of the Everglades will be holding their annual celebration of the Tamiami Trail Anniversary (and Museum Birthday!) on Saturday, April 27th. Festivities will begin at 10am beside the Museum with a prayer and dedication followed by Tamiami Trail-themed giveaways. The world’s only laundry cart races will begin promptly at 11 on the eastbound side of Broadway in front of the Museum.
Live music will be performed throughout the day by “Spirit of the Glades” — a harmonious duo playing bluegrass and comfortable county with a genuine, old Florida feel. Free hot dogs and birthday cake will be served from 11 to 1 courtesy of the Friends of Museum of the Everglades.

At 1pm the Old Timers’ Talk returns with stories and reminiscences from some of our region’s oldest and wisest residents. Come and enjoy as they share treasured memories in the Museum’s theater area.

Construction of the Tamiami Trail began in 1923 and was completed on April 26th, 1928. Museum of the Everglades opened in 1998 on the 70th Anniversary of the Trail’s completion. The Trail Anniversary and Museum Birthday are celebrated every year on the Saturday closest to the actual date of the historic event.

Museum Manager Thomas Lockyear will also be offering a complimentary one-hour historic walking tour at 9am for early birds. For more information, call the Museum at 239-252-5026.

Museum of the Everglades is located at 105 West Broadway Avenue in Everglades City. The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday, 9am – 4pm. Admission is free!

Smallwood Store Celebrates 100 Years on Stilts Smallwood Store Celebrates 100 Years on Stilts

Have you been introduced to the local legend, ? You’ll have the chance on January 27-28, 2024, at the NY Travel & Adventure Show in Manhattan!

He was renowned as a smuggler and outdoorsman, often referred to as “the final untamed soul in one of the most untamed regions on the map.”

In honor of 150 years of remarkable individuals, history, culture, and art in the Everglades, particularly Chokoloskee, Florida, we extend an invitation for you to join us in the celebration. Visit us at Booth 308, where we’ll be providing fascinating insights, enjoyable experiences, and fantastic giveaways.

Do you have any fond memories of Totch? Perhaps you’d like to share a story or two?

FLASHBACK 1974 MONROE STATION at the WILD HOG Bar-B-Que!!! Who Else LOVED Making Memories Out Here Back in the Day?!? 😲🔥😍💯💖🤔💝🤷🏻‍♂️❤️

This weekend !
Come join us for the 2023 Swamp Heritage Festival! Food ,Music , and .

It’s almost that time again! Please mark your calendars for our 74th Annual Wild Hog BBQ, Saturday February 24th, 2024! We can’t wait to see you all out there!

2023 Swamp Heritage Festival

Longtime Miami Springs resident Francis S. "Franny" Taylor 1924-1982
"Franny was the founder and President of the Airboat Association of Florida and a member of many other conservation organizations. He was a tireless conservationist known as the "Johnny Appleseed of the Everglades". He dedicated his time, effort, and money to save the Everglades for future generations to enjoy.
He sought no fame or recognition for his work (which he called a labor of love); however, many posthumous honors have been bestowed in his name, including the Florida Wildlife Federation's annual "Outdoorsman of the Year" award given in his honor. The single greatest tribute, was the renaming of the "Everglades and
Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area" throughout the State. What an honor and joy it is to drive throughout the Everglades and see signs honoring his hard work and selfless dedication to wildlife conservation.
Franny was considered to be the father of the modern day Airboat. He designed and built the first aircraft aluminum Airboat in the world. Franny's many innovative design concepts are still the most widely imitated; and, if you own a Taylor Hull, you know the quality that is unsurpassed, as each boat was custom built by hand with great precision.
Franny was a "flag waving patriot" and a decorated WWII Veteran, serving in Europe as a Combat Engineer under the great General George Patton. He deeply loved and honored this great Country and instilled that patriotism in his family."
Information published in the Miami Herald Sept 20, 2007

Another great exhibit hosted by Collier County Museums!

Vroom Vroom! I'm in Big Cypress National Preserve!

Oh, to be in a world with cars and roadways that get you to where you need to go! It is hard to imagine Big Cypress National Preserve without the infamous Tamiami Trail, otherwise known as Highway 41. The creation of Tamiami allowed for greater accessibility to the Preserve and the South Florida region.

Want to learn more about the scenic road runs through the heart of the Preserve? Join us at the 2023 Swamp Heritage Festival on December 2nd, at the Festival Grounds behind the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center! (33000 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL 34141)

With help from our community partners, like the Florida Humanities Council, we are excited to bring back this educational and fun experience!

A great day for Today we picked up Glenn Simmons glades skiff from the homestead pioneer museum. Thankyou to the Buckley family and the staff at the museum for making this opportunity possible.
Swamp Heritage Festival is 12/2 .
Please come out and support our efforts to educate the public and preserve the of the .

New exhibits are in the works for the Swamp Heritage Festival 12/2/23.Stay tuned ..