The Florida Heritage Institute was founded in 2023 by Joe Marzo with a simple but urgent purpose: to preserve Florida’s past, study it honestly, and make it accessible to everyone.

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Florida is one of the fastest-changing states in the nation. Development, population growth, and environmental pressures continue to reshape the landscape at a rapid pace. In the process, historic structures are lost, stories are forgotten, and entire chapters of our shared past risk disappearing. The Institute exists to ensure that does not happen without documentation, research, and thoughtful consideration.

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At its core, the Florida Heritage Institute is dedicated to three pillars: preservation, research, and education.

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Preservation means advocating for Florida’s historic places, from well-known landmarks to overlooked local sites that define the character of communities. It involves raising awareness, supporting restoration efforts, and encouraging responsible development that respects the past.

 

Research is about uncovering the real story of Florida. This includes exploring the state’s cultural, political, environmental, and economic history with honesty and depth. The Institute seeks to go beyond surface-level narratives, highlighting both the achievements and the controversies that have shaped Florida into what it is today.

 

Education is the bridge between the past and the future. The Institute develops resources for teachers, students, and lifelong learners who want to better understand Florida’s history. By making accurate, engaging materials widely available, the goal is to foster a deeper appreciation for the state and its people.

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The Florida Heritage Institute serves as a platform for storytelling, investigation, and preservation. It is built on the belief that history is not just something to be studied—it is something to be protected.

Because once it is gone, it cannot be rebuilt.