Amelia Island Museum of History announces Smithsonian’s “Americans” exhibit opening and August Brown Bag lunch program

AMELIA ISLAND, FL — In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Amelia Island Museum of History (AIMH) is proud to announce the second installment of its 250th exhibition series, "8 Flags, One Nation: Amelia Island and the 250th."

Running from Aug. 21, 2026, through Oct. 2, 2026, Exhibit 2 - THE 250TH: RELATIONSHIPS AND CONFLICT features two complementary exhibits: the Smithsonian's traveling exhibition “Americans” — which was developed by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and adapted for travel by Museum on Main Street — and a project designed to correct misconceptions about Florida’s Indigenous peoples titled “Visualizing Indigenous Florida,” developed in collaboration with the University of North Florida, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.

Key Phrase: "He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions" – 27th grievance against King George III in the Declaration of Independence.

This exhibition, developed in partnership with Florida Humanities and the Smithsonian, highlights how 4 specific, iconic, and controversial moments (Thanksgiving, Pocahontas, the Trail of Tears, and Little Bighorn) continue to impact American history and contemporary life.

As a companion exhibit, the Amelia Island Museum of History has collaborated with the University of North Florida on "Visualizing Indigenous Florida," a project designed to correct misconceptions about Florida’s Indigenous peoples and present an authentic narrative through contemporary images created by Indigenous artists.

Exhibit Opening Schedule (August 21, 2026):

• Doors Open: 5:30 p.m. (Peck Center, 516 S 10th St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034)
• Presentation & Lecture: 6-7 p.m.
• Reception: Follows immediately at the Amelia Island Museum of History (233 S. 3rd St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034)
• Highlights: Expert panel featuring UNF Professors Dr. Denise Bossy and Dr. Keith Ashley, along with artists including Carly Treece and Alyssa Osceola.

August Brown Bag Lunch Lecture:
On Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, from noon to 1 p.m., the museum will host its monthly Brown Bag Lunch program titled "The Revolution Comes to Florida: Bernardo de Gálvez and the Siege of Pensacola." The lecture highlights British West Florida as a conflict zone during the War of American Independence, focusing on Spain's efforts to reclaim the territory. The presentation will be led by Dr. James G. Cusick, a premier specialist in 18th- and 19th-century Florida history and curator of the P.K. Yonge Library of Florida History at the University of Florida. This event is free for everyone.