Archaeology Walk & Talk
2023-06-03 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Join us for a guided tour of the Weedon Island Preserve with a focus on its archaeological history.
Enjoy a guided hike at the Weedon Island Preserve and learn about the the peoples that inhabited this area thousands of years ago. The hike guide will also share information about the ongoing archaeological research being done to better understand these past cultures.
This hike is recommended for adults and youth ages 12+. Youth must be supervised by an adult for the full duration of the program.
Attendees will meet inside the Cultural and Natural History Center for a short introduction before departing for the trails. The hike will be two miles in length and will traverse uneven terrain so participants must be able to manage these conditions. Afterwards, attendees will return to the Center to complete an evaluation of the hike and explore the museum’s exhibits.
>>> REGISTER HERE

The Archaeology of Weedon Island
2023-09-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Travel with professional archaeologists into the ancient past of Weedon Island.
Weedon Island has been a place for community for thousands of years, with spaces for special events, daily activities, and other parts of community life that we still see in our lives today. Join us for a presentation from professional archaeologist Rachael Kangas who will discuss the basics of archaeology at Weedon Island and why the site is so important to understanding people and communities.
This program will take place inside the auditorium of the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center. This program is recommended for adults and youth ages 14 and up.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Climate Change and Cultural Sites in Florida
2023-10-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn how historical and archaeological sites threatened by climate change are protected in Florida.
How do we protect cemeteries, historic buildings, and archaeological sites that are threatened by climate change in Florida? How is it decided which sites get attention and which do not? Join the Alliance for Weedon Island Archaeological Research and Education in collaboration with the Central Gulf Coast Archaeological Society for a special presentation of how archaeologists are currently answering these questions, what significant threats are observed in Florida, and how the public can help!
This program will take place inside the auditorium of the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center. This program is recommended for adults.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Youth Workshop: Ancient Pottery
2023-10-21 09:30 - 10:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn to make pottery like the ancient people who once lived at Weedon Island. Over 1,000 years ago, early potters were making coiled pots out of clay and sand for cooking vessels and ceremonial functions. This workshop will teach youth how to form a small-coiled pot and add distinctive decorations using early techniques.
This workshop is recommended for youth ages 6 and up. All youth must be accompanied by an adult for the full duration of the class. The workshop is limited to 30 participants total.
This workshop will be led by Phyllis Kolianos, an archaeologist with the Alliance for Weedon Island Archaeological Research and Education, Inc. (AWIARE). Kolianos was an employee of Pinellas County and the past manager of the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center for over a decade.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Open Archaeology Lab
2023-12-01 13:00 - 15:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn from professional archaeologists on how to sort, identify, and clean artifacts and other material from real archaeological sites!

Ever wonder what archaeologists do with all that stuff they dig up at archaeological sites once the fieldwork is finished? Join us for an open archaeology lab!
Learn from professional archaeologists with the West Central Region of the Florida Public Archaeology Network about how artifacts and other archaeological material get processed in the laboratory so they can be used to learn about the past. Participants will get the chance to sort through, identify, and clean artifacts and other material from real archaeological sites!
All ages are welcome to participate or observe, but children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. All individuals planning to attend should be registered.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Talons, Beaks & Feathers Camp
2024-01-02 08:00 - 17:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Camps will join Natalie Lloyd to learn how to identify bones, tracks, and scat through daily hikes in the preserve.
Ages 7 yrs – 11 yrs
>>> REGISTER HERE

Archaeology Hike & Site Tour
2024-03-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Part of the Florida Archaeology Month 2024 collection

Hike an active excavation area on the Weedon Island Preserve and learn about the current archaeological research.
Professional archaeologists with the Alliance for Weedon Island Archaeological Research and Education will lead a hike out to an active excavation area on the Weedon Island Preserve. Participants will learn about recent work at the site, research results, and local Indigenous history.
This guided tour will be ~2 miles in total length and will traverse uneven, natural paths so please prepare accordingly. This tour is recommended for adults and youth ages 10+. Youth must be accompanied by an adult.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Archaeological Kayak Tour
2024-03-16 08:00 - 12:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Part of the Florida Archaeology Month 2024 collection

Join archaeologists and environmental specialists for an archaeology-focused paddling experience.

This trip will paddle from Weedon Island’s mainland to Ross Island where participants will then be led around an archaeological site with Dr. Kendal Jackson, a post-doctoral fellow with the University of South Florida, and member of the Alliance for Weedon Island Archaeological Research and Education, who worked on Ross Island as part of his doctorate research. The Florida Public Archaeology Network and ECOmersion will co-lead this trip. During the paddle to Ross Island, stops will be made to interpret the significance of archaeological, historical, and coastal natural areas that will enhance participants’ understanding of the Tampa Bay estuary.
Ages 18 yrs +
>>> REGISTER HERE

Ethnobotany and Archaeology Open House
2024-03-23 10:00 - 13:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Part of the Florida Archaeology Month 2024 collection

See ancient artifacts and learn about the prehistoric and modern uses of native plants!

See ancient artifacts and learn about the prehistoric and modern uses of native plants as a part of the Weedon Island Preserve’s celebration of Florida Archaeology Month! All ages welcome.

Learn how indigenous Floridians used native plants as an everyday resource in the “Florida Native Plants Through Time” exhibit and demonstration. Exhibit designer and plant expert, Ben Metcantade, will be on-hand to answer questions and demonstrate how the plants were used. See a hands-on demonstration on fiber-thread making from the native yucca plant. In addition, find out which native plants were popular in the 19th century though the present time. The exhibit also features native plants, books and resources on sustainable design and the importance of pollinators.
Meet Weedon Island’s archaeologists and see their displays of artifacts, tools and other items.
Bring your own fossils and artifacts to be identified and their uses determined by on-site archaeology experts.

>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Volunteer Archaeology Lab
2024-04-05 13:00 - 15:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn how to sort, identify, and clean artifacts and other material from real archaeological sites!

Learn how artifacts and other archaeological material get processed for study in this volunteer lab that is led by professional archaeologists with the West Central chapter of the Florida Public Archaeology Network. Participants will help sort through, clean, and identify artifacts and other material from real archaeological sites so they can be used by researchers to learn about the past.
This event is best suited for adults; children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Seating is limited so registration is required!
If you have a homeschool group that would like to participate, please email westcentral@fpan.us to set up a separate lab time to accomodate your students.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Archaeology Lecture: Discoveries from the Garrison
2024-04-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
The Garrison Neighborhood, established in 1896, was the first Black-owned neighborhood in Tampa.

Archaeology lecture hosted by the Central Gulf Coast Archaeological Society (CGCAS) and the Alliance for Weedon Island Archaeological Research and Education (AWIARE).
The Garrison Neighborhood, established in 1896, was the first Black-owned neighborhood in Tampa. Until the 1940s the neighborhood flourished with Black-owned businesses, schools, and churches. Despite this, few mentions of the neighborhood exist in archaeological reports of the area. Downtown Tampa’s archaeological requirements prioritizes the National Register eligible Fort Brooke site, leaving this unique Black neighborhood underutilized in the study of Tampa’s diverse early pioneers. Since 2016 Stantec has been excavating portions of the Garrison, including the Caesar Street School, an African Methodist Episcopal Church, storefronts, and numerous residences. Through the artifact assemblages of these sites a greater understanding can be gleaned of life in this important Tampa neighborhood.
This lecture will feature Kelsey Kreiser, an archaeologist at a local Stantec office in Tampa. She has been working in cultural resource management since 2018, conducting fieldwork across much of Florida and the greater southeastern United States.
Learn more about CGCAS & AWIARE’s archaeology lecture series.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Inter-Tidally United Summit — Watch Party!
2024-08-16 09:00 - 13:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Join us for our local in-person watch party of the Inter-Tidally United Summit hosted by the Florida Public Archaeology Network!

We’ll stream the Zoom presentations in the auditorium and have on-site activities for those joining us in person!
FPAN hosts a biennial summit called Tidally United, designed to be an informational think-tank dedicated to raising awareness and exploring future-ready solutions to protect historical sites and other significant cultural resources from climate-related threats. Inter-Tidally is designed to help participants stay connected between in-person summits and grow our community. This event will be held virtually with in-person watch parties around the state to help connect local communities to the topic and work!
Individuals must register for the virtual conference if they plan to attend our in-person watch party. Registration for the state-wide conference is $25 per person. An attendees’ conference registration will be confirmed before entry into our local watch-party.
REGISTER FOR THE STATE-WIDE CONFERENCE HERE.
>>> REGISTER HERE FOR FREE WATCH PARTY

Volunteer Archaeology Lab
2025-01-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn how to sort, identify, and clean artifacts and other material from real archaeological sites!

Ages 12+

Join us in the Lab for a hands-on experience in archaeological discovery! Led by professional archaeologists from the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN), this volunteer lab gives you the chance to sort, clean, and identify real artifacts uncovered at the Weedon Island Preserve. You’ll learn how archaeologists process materials for study and contribute to ongoing research about the people who once lived in this coastal region. No experience is necessary — just curiosity and a willingness to get your hands dirty!
Who Can Participate:
This lab is open to adults and youth ages 12 and up. Youth must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire session.
Space is limited — registration is required.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be part of real archaeological work!

Friday, December 12 at 1:00 p.m. — Register today
Friday, January 9 at 1:00 p.m. — Register today

Request A Youth Lab:
If you’re part of a homeschool group and would like to schedule a youth-focused lab, please email westcentral@fpan.us to request a separate Lab session.

Kayak Tour: Archaeology of Ross Island
2025-03-08 08:30 - 12:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Join archaeologists for a unique and engaging paddling experience in the waters of the Weedon Island Preserve!
Ages 18+

This trip will paddle from Weedon Island’s mainland to Ross Island where participants will tour one of Tampa Bay’s best preserved archaeological sites. During the paddle, the group will make short stops to learn about the history of Weedon Island’s exceptional estuary habitats. The trip will be led by professional archaeologists from the Alliance for Weedon Island Archaeological Research and Education (AWIARE) and the Central Florida Gulf Coast Archaeological Society (CGCAS).
This guided tour is not for beginner paddlers; experience and endurance are required. Individuals must be at least 18 years old to participate and must sign a liability waiver prior to getting on the water. Kayaks will be provided by ECOmersion.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Ethnobotany and Archaeology Open House
2025-03-22 10:00 - 13:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
See ancient artifacts and learn how people have used native plants for everything from food and medicine to making ropes and even paint!

Join us for a celebration of Florida Archaeology Month!
Learn how indigenous Floridians used native plants as an everyday resource in the “Florida Native Plants Through Time” exhibit and demonstration. Exhibit designer and plant expert, Ben Metcantade, will be on-hand to answer questions and demonstrate how the plants were used. Observe a hands-on demonstration on fiber-thread making from the native yucca plant. In addition, find out which native plants were popular in the 19th century through present day. The exhibit also features native plants, books, and resources on sustainable design and the importance of pollinators.
Also meet Weedon Island’s archaeologists and see their displays of artifacts, tools, and other items. Bring your own fossils and artifacts to be identified and their uses determined by on-site archaeology experts. Partner organizations will be on-site with their own displays and information, such as the Alliance for Weedon Archaeological Research and Education (AWIARE), the west central region of the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN), the Central Gulf Coast Archaeological Society (CGCAS), and more.

This event is free and open to all ages! Join us anytime between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to enjoy the displays, talk to an archaeologist, and learn more about the indigenous history of Tampa Bay!
