*An AMERICA AT 250 Talk
The British colony of West Florida once stretched from the Mississippi River to portions of what are now the states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Historian Mike Bunn refers to this as the "forgotten fourteenth colony" of America's Revolutionary era. Hear his accounting of the colony's eventful years as a part of the British Empire and how they form an important and compelling interlude in Gulf Coast history that has been overlooked for far too long.
For a host of reasons, including the fact that West Florida did not rebel against the British Government, the colony has been dismissed as a loyal but inconsequential fringe outpost — if it's considered at all. But the colony's history showcases a tumultuous political scene; a host of bold and colorful characters; a compelling saga of struggle and perseverance in the pursuit of financial stability; and a dramatic series of battles on land and water. In this presentation, Bunn offers a comprehensive history of the colony, introducing audiences to the Gulf Coast's remarkable British period and putting West Florida back in its rightful place on the map of Colonial America.
