Long before Florida entered the Union as a slave state in 1845, it was a refuge for enslaved people escaping bondage in the American South. Protected by Native communities and later by the Spanish, Florida offered sanctuary to many seeking freedom.

This presentation traces Florida's transformation from a haven for freedom seekers to the nation's last admitted slave state. It also explores Marion County's local history, examining census records that identify slaveholders and the people they enslaved, revealing a legacy that continues to shape the community today.