Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage

Interviewee Collection Sort descending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Tidy Island Museum Tour  Vanishing Culture Project

This recording is of a Tidy Island Museum tour by Goose Culbreath, Alcee Taylor and others, discussing the history of the island, off Cortez, and family outings there.

Michael Jepson Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Wanda Fulford Vanishing Culture Project

Wanda Fulford was born on March 23, 1933, in Cortez, Florida, to Elizabeth and James Jones.  James was a commercial fisherman.  The family moved to Englewood then to Stump Pass for a while so her father could fish for Mullet.  Her mother returned to Cortez with the family shortly, leaving James in Stump Pass.  Wanda had a sister and two brothers.  She left school with a year and a half to go to work.  Wanda worked at various jobs.

Michael Jepson Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Raymond Stargill Pringle, Sr. Vanishing Culture Project

Raymond Stargell Pringle's family came to Cortez in 1919.  In this interview, he talks about his father and fishing with him as a kid. Later, he became a minister.

Michael Jepson, Wayne Nield Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Doris Green Vanishing Culture Project

This interview discusses mostly family history.  She did a lot of Cortez history work.  Green wrote a book, Fog's Comin In, a history of Cortez with many pictures.

Michael Jepson Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Raymond Guthrie Vanishing Culture Project

In this interview, Raymond Guthrie discusses his family history and fishing experiences.  He did seine fishing and stop netting. Guthrie talks about animosity from other fishermen.  He fished and did mowing work, and some boat building.
 

Michael Jepson, Wayne Nield Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Karen Bell In Their Own Words

Karen Bell is a dedicated member of the Cortez fishing community in Florida. Born and raised in Bradenton, she has always had a deep connection to Cortez, spending Sundays at her grandmother's house, where large family gatherings and delicious meals were a regular occurrence. Karen's father and uncles were fishermen, and she grew up surrounded by the sights and sounds of the fishing docks. Karen's father eventually transitioned from fishing to working at the AP Bell fish house in the early 1960s. In 1986, after completing college, Karen moved to Cortez and began working at the fish house.

Michael Jepson Cortez, FL Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Humanities Council
John Banyas In Their Own Words

John Banyas is a fish house owner and fisherman from Cortez, Florida. His grandfather, Neriah Taylor was a boatbuilder in the community. John fishes for mullet and baitfish. He also owns a wholesale/retail seafood shop and restaurant on his property along with a boat haulout facility.

Michael Jepson Cortez, FL Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Humanities Council
Ronnie Beckham In Their Own Words

Ronnie Beckham is a third-generation commercial fisherman who now is involved in clam aquaculture. He was born and raised in Cedar Key, Florida, where he worked with his father, who was also a fisherman and used to fish for turtles. Born into a family with a rich legacy in the fishing industry, Beckham's upbringing was steeped in the traditions and practices of fishing that have been passed down through generations.

Michael Jepson Cedar Key, FL Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Humanities Council