Florida Historical Commission

Florida Historical Commission

Florida Historical Commission

The Florida Historical Commission (FHC) was established by the 2001 Florida Legislature (Chapter 267.0612, Florida Statutes) to enhance public participation and involvement in the preservation and protection of the state's historic and archaeological sites and properties. The Commission advises and assists the Division of Historical Resources in carrying out the programs, duties and responsibilities of the Division. Seven members of the Commission are appointed by the Governor in consultation with the Secretary of State, two by the President of the Florida Senate and two by the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.

The members are responsible for reviewing and ranking Special Category Historic Preservation Grant applications; five members of the FHC also meet as Florida's National Register Review Board to review and vote on proposed nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. In addition, the Commission exists to advise with regard to policy and preservation needs. Members of the FHC are considered to be experts in their respective fields, with the members representing the following:

  • Of the seven members appointed by the Governor, one member must be a licensed architect who has expertise in historic preservation and architectural history; one member must be a professional historian in the field of American history; one member must be a professional architectural historian; one member must be an archaeologist specializing in the field of prehistory; and one member must be an archaeologist specializing in the historic period.
  • The remaining two members appointed by the Governor and the two members appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively, must be representatives of the general public with demonstrated interest in the preservation of Florida's historical and archaeological heritage.

Current members of the FHC include: educators in Florida's university system, authors, the principal of a cultural resource management firm, and citizens who have devoted personal and professional lives to protecting and preserving Florida's historic resources.

Florida Historical Commission

Mrs. Marion Almy, Chairman
(prehistoric archaeologist)
Sarasota, FL

Term: 02/16/2012 to 12/31/2014

Founding Principal and President of Archaeological Consultants, Inc., Mrs. Almy's 26 years experience in archaeological and architectural/historical investigations extends throughout Florida. A Registered Professional Archaeologist, Director of the American Cultural Resources Association, past President of the Florida Archaeological Council, she formerly chaired both the Florida National Register Review Board and the Florida Historic Preservation Advisory Council. She is a current Board member of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, and earned a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology from Florida State University and a Master's degree in Anthropology with an emphasis in cultural resource management from the University of South Florida.

Mr. Del Acosta
Tampa, FL

Term: 02/12/2013 to 12/31/2014

Ms. Kathy A. Fleming
St. Augustine, FL

Term: 3/28/2012 to 12/31/2015

Kathy A. Fleming is the Executive Director of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, Inc. Fleming helped form the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP) in 1999 and serves, as its Chief Administrative Director. The museum's research arm, LAMP studies submerged cultural resources in the waters of the nation's oldest port. Fleming facilitated the transfer of ownership of the St. Augustine Lighthouse from the US Coast Guard through the GSA and the NPS to the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum. The Lighthouse and LAMP have been called, "Truly a role model for public institutions," by Gail Norton, former US Secretary of the Interior. Ms. Fleming also received a certificate of Congressional Recognition from US Senator Bill Nelson for helping other lighthouses understand the National Historic Lighthouse.

Mr. Graham W. Fountain
Crestview, FL

Term: 6/17/10 to 1/01/2012

Graham W. Fountain has enjoyed a distinguished career in state and local law enforcement, governmental regulation and public safety. Graham was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush as Director (Law Enforcement Colonel) in 1999 to head up Commercial Vehicle Law Enforcement for the Florida Department of Transportation. During his tenure, he was successful in bringing major accomplishments in the areas of highway safety and homeland security programs, and providing leadership that resulted in the agency receiving professional law enforcement agency accreditation. Graham received his Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice/Political Science from Troy State University.

Mr. Rick Gonzalez, AIA, Vice Chairman
(preservation architect)
West Palm Beach, FL

Term: 9/25/2008 to 12/31/2011

Rick Gonzalez, AIA, founded REG Architects, Inc., with his father Ricardo in 1988. Rick holds two architectural degrees from the Catholic University of America and has studied design in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Italy. He was Chairman of the Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design, and is actively involved with community organizations such as the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation and the Palm Beach County Cultural Council. His association with high-profile projects like Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club, the 1916 Palm Beach County Historic Courthouse, and "The Harriet" at City Place, has led the firm to numerous awards for historic preservation and downtown redevelopment.

Mrs. Mimi Reid Hardman
Lake Wales, FL

Term: 3/28/2012 to 12/31/2014

Mrs. Hardman is Founder and Director of The Depot, Lake Wales Museum and Cultural Center. She is a Board member of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Founder and President of the Historic Lake Wales Society. A renowned community activist, her efforts have been recognized on both state and national levels. She earned a degree in Medical Technology from Emory University School of Medicine.

Dr. Adam J. Hirsch
(historian)
Tallahassee, FL

Term: 02/16/2012 to 12/31/2014

Dr. Adam Hirsch is a professor at the Florida State University College of Law. A leading authority on wills and trusts, Professor Hirsch teaches Bankruptcy Policy Seminar, Creditor's Rights, Estate Planning, Gratuitous Transfers and American Legal History. He has served as the Roger Traynor Fellow at Hastings College of Law, and he is an Academic Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. In addition to his legal training, Professor Hirsch holds a Ph.D. in History from Yale University, where his doctoral dissertation received the George Washington Egleston Prize for the best dissertation in American history. He expanded this work into a book, The Rise of the Penitentiary: Prisons & Punishment in Early America (Yale University Press, 1992).

Mrs. Malinda Horton
Tallahassee, FL

Term: 05/15/2013 to 12/31/2014

Mrs. Judy Kane
Mary Esther, FL

Term: 03/18/2013 to 01/01/2014

Dr. William B. Lees, RPA
(historical archaeologist)
Pensacola, FL

Term: 8/10/2010 to 12/31/2012

Dr. William B. Lees is Executive Director of the University of West Florida Florida Public Archaeology Network and President of the Society for Historical Archaeology. He holds the M.A. and Ph.D. from Michigan State University. Dr. Lees has been involved in archaeological research, academic education, and public education for close to 40 years and has worked extensively in the Great Plains and Southeastern United States. His research has included terrestrial and submerged archaeological sites. At the University of West Florida, he oversees a network of eight regional public archaeology centers focused on educating the public about Florida archaeology and providing assistance to local governments interested in protecting and promoting local archaeological heritage. He is currently directing graduate students conducting research on Civil War and Revolutionary War heritage sites, maritime heritage tourism, and shipwreck archaeology. He is past president of the Society of Professional Archaeologists, the Register of Professional Archaeologists, and the Plains Anthropological Society.

Ms. Ellen Uguccioni
(architectural historian)
Coral Gables, FL

Term: 9/25/2008 to 12/31/2011

Ms. Uguccioni is a Historic Preservation Planner with the city of Miami. She is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Miami School of Architecture and a member of the Florida National Register Review Board. Ms. Uguccioni is former Director of the City of Coral Gables Historic Preservation Department and author of several books on historic buildings. She earned a Master's degree in Art and Architectural History from the University of Missouri.

Meetings & Materials

Minutes