HERNANDO DESOTO HISTORICAL SOCIETY

THE HERNANDO DESOTO HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC. IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION OF 156 CONQUISTADORS (ACTIVE VOLUNTEER MEMBERS) WHO CELEBRATE THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SPANISH EXPLORER HERNANDO DESOTO'S LANDING NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE MANATEE RIVER IN MAY 1539. WITH HIS 600 CONQUISTADORS, DESOTO CLAIMED POSSESSION OF LA FLORIDA ON BEHALF OF THE SPANISH CROWN AND THEN BEGAN HIS LENGTHY EXPLORATION OF WHAT IS NOW THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. ALONG WITH ITS MEMBERSHIP, WHICH INCLUDES MANY CIVIC, GOVERNMENTAL AND BUSINESS LEADERS, THE SOCIETY SERVES IN A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY-ORIENTED ROLES. THE SOCIETY PRODUCES ONE OF THE LARGEST ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS IN MANATEE COUNTY ON AN ANNUAL BASIS INCLUDING A SEAFOOD FESTIVAL, HOMEMADE BOATING RACE, HALF-MARATHON, A MUSICAL AND FASHION SHOW, A FORMAL-DRESS BALL INCLUDING DAYTIME AND EVENING PARADES. THE SOCIETY SUPPORTS VARIOUS LOCAL CHARITIES INCLUDING LIGHTHOUSE OF MANASOTA, ADOPT-A-FAMILY, TOYS FOR TOTS, KEEP MANATEE BEAUTIFUL, THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF MANATEE COUNTY AND OTHERS. THE SOCIETY PROVIDES PUBLIC EDUCATION ON FLORIDA'S SPANISH HERITAGE THROUGH CREWE VISITS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND RETIREMENT HOMES. THE SOCIETY FINANCIALLY SUPPORTS A SISTER ORGANIZATION, THE COUNQUISTADOR HISTORICAL FOUNDATION, WHICH DONATES TO OTHER COMMUNITY CHARITIES, PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, FUNDS SCHOLARSHIPS AND MAINTAINS A HISTORICAL MUSEUM IN DOWNTOWN BRADENTON. THE SOCIETY'S PREMIER SERIES OF EVENTS, COLLECTIVELY CALLED THE DESOTO HERITAGE FESTIVAL, RECEIVES CONSIDERABLE MEDIA ATTENTION, AS DO THE VARIOUS EVENT SPONSORS. OUR DUES PAYING MEMBERS DONATE COUNTLESS HOURS OF THEIR TIME PREPARING FOR THE FESTIVAL; SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THEIR LOVE FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE SOCIETY IS ENTERING ITS 80TH YEAR OF PRODUCING THE DESOTO HERITAGE FESTIVAL.