The "Traces of Our Past" project supports the search for the hidden histories of the Manatee River communities. These histories include stories of pre-Columbian Indians and Seminoles, Spanish explorers and Cuban fishermen, free Blacks and enslaved Africans, and Anglo-American men, women, and children.

We invite you to participate in our ongoing research. On this website you can view artifacts excavated at the Tabby House Ruins (site of our 2006 project), pore over historical maps of the area, read commentary by Florida historians and archaeologists, explore our links to find local historical and archaeological sites and resources, and contribute your family's history to our archives. Please use the contact form to ask questions, share your story, or join our email list for future programming.