Camp Uzita Opens for the Season on December 17th

De Soto National Memorial Superintendent Charles E. Fenwick announced today that the site is presenting a day of special activities that will explore the de Soto expedition and holiday themes on Saturday, December 17th.  This day will mark the kick-off of the 32nd season of Living History Programs in Camp Uzita. The first program in Camp Uzita was given on December 9, 1973.

The name "Camp Uzita" conjures up images of the initial contact, and conflict, between conquistadors and local inhabitants. The camp evokes the feel of the village of "Uzita," de Soto's base camp in Tampa Bay area.  The setting provides visitors with a sense of what life was like in the 16th century along the West Coast of Florida. Superintendent Fenwick remarked, “We are proud to be a unit of the National Park Service and an integral part of this community for over 56 years.” “We again look forward to being the host to over 250,000 visitors this year, from around the country and the world.” The camp will be open daily this season from December 17th through April 16th, 2006.

Ranger led programs are designed to allow the public to have several opportunities each day to learn about the four year expedition of de Soto and his army through 4,000 miles of the American Southeast. At the top of each hour, the park’s 21-minute film “Hernando de Soto in America” will be shown in the Visitor Center Theater.  At 30 minutes past the hour, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., daily, programs focusing on some aspect of the de Soto expedition will take place.  These programs will fit into three chronological themes: The Beginning – Pre-1539 to March 1540; The Journey – December 1539 to September 1543; and The Legacy – September 1543 to Post 1543.  During periods when no programs are ongoing, camp staff will present demonstrations of cooking, blacksmithing, and various crafts of the period, as well as provide demonstrations of 16th century weapons such as the Spanish arquebus (an early firearm) and crossbow.

On Saturday December 17th, National Park Rangers in 16th century costume, along with National Park Service Living History Volunteers from Calderons’ Company, will present a special variety of programs to the public to kick off the 2005-2006 winter seasonal programs:

10:30   The Beginning - Where did de Soto get his riches? What brought him to Florida? Where did he land?

11:30   The Cavalry – Join our volunteer Heidi May for an exciting Cavalry demonstration.  What horses did de Soto bring (Paso Fino)?  Why were they his greatest weapon?

12:30   La Comida - Come learn from volunteer Shelia Benjamin about the delights of a 16th Century Spanish kitchen, including holiday meals!

1:30     Piñata Demonstration – celebrate the holidays 16th century style with a program on the origins of and a demonstration of the piñata (fun for kids!)     

2:30     Cross in the Sand - What would the first Christmas celebration in North America have been like?  Join our volunteer “Friar” Ted Bonstedt in Camp Uzita as he tells the fascinating tale of the role and adventures of Catholic priests on de Soto’s expedition. 

3:30     The Legacy of the de Soto Expedition –What happened to the Native American Societies de Soto met?  What are the de Soto Chronicles? And do we owe the Colonization of our country to them?

De Soto National Memorial is located at the end of 75th Street NW in Bradenton, Florida.  Entrance to the park is free, as are all activities.  The Park is open from sunrise to sunset; the parking area closes at 5:00 p.m.

The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA

Released November 10, 2005

Contact: Charles E. Fenwick, Superintendent, (941)792-0458