OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department and Fort King National Historic Landmark, in partnership with the Gulf Archaeology Research Institute, Marion Cultural Alliance – National Endowment for the Arts, and Fort King Heritage Foundation, will debut a new exhibit, “Fort King’s Hidden Bottles,” on Thursday, June 26, at the Fort King National Historic Landmark (3925 E. Fort King St.).

The exhibit highlights bottles uncovered after Hurricane Gladys uprooted a tree in 1968, offering a unique glimpse into Ocala’s past. It will launch during the first evening of the Summer Night Lecture Series, held Thursdays from June 26 through Aug. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. This series is free and open to all ages.

The Summer Night Lecture Series explores Ocala’s and Florida’s rich past through engaging presentation by experts in archaeology, wildlife, blacksmithing, agriculture, and more. Each week offers a new topic that highlights the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

2025 Summer Night Lecture Series Topics:

  • June 26 – Hurricanes & History: Fort King’s Hidden Bottles
  • July 3 – Steel & Skills: Blacksmithing with Jordan Borstelmann
  • July 10 – Marion County Agriculture: Past, Present, and Future with Mark Bailey
  • July 17 – Birds of Fort King with Maxfield Weakly, Marion Audubon Society
  • July 24 – Protecting Wildlife Through Sustainable Pest Control with Mikayla Frierson
  • July 31 – Florida’s Seminole Agents with Dr. Joe Deklinski
  • Aug. 7 – The Life and Legacy of William King with Historian Dale Cox
  • Aug. 14 – Native Plant Uses in History with Amanda Marek, University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

For more information, call 352-401-6980 or visit fortkingocala.com. 

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