The theme of this year’s Symposium will be Bartram and the American Revolution. It will include two trail-based presentations followed by two musical/theatrical presentations about William Bartram and the American Revolution, which were originally featured at the 2026 Florida Folk Festival in White Springs, Florida.
1:00 - 3:00 pm – Bartram Trail Symposium
Building the Bartram Trail in Clay County
Dean Campbell, Samantha Kosters and Stephanie Liskey (20 minutes)
Where on the Suwannee is Billy Bartram? (30 minutes)
Joe Foy, President of Foy Appraisal Service, Inc, Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser and long-time Bartram fan. He uses his unique qualifications and skills to research and follow the routes of William Bartram across northeast Florida. His most recent research has centered around William Bartram in the Suwannee River basin.
America 250 Songs & Stories - Back-in-Thyme Old Time Music and Storytelling
Backintyme is a Florida-based living history and folk music storytelling group founded by Mary Lee Sweet and Frank W. Sweet, who bring the 19th century to life through period-dress performances that blend historical anecdotes with authentic folk songs.
William Bartram’s Hints and Observations.
Sam Carr (30 minutes)
The BTSF performed on the America 250 Stage at the Annual Florida Folk Festival. The performance was titled “William Bartram and the American Revolution.” Sam Carr will share how the skit was prepared and the factual basis for William Bartram’s part in the American Revolution.
