Cocoa & Culture: Sweet Stories from Trinidad to St. Augustine

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025 at 07:00 pm UTC-05:00

513 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL, United States, Florida 32601 | Gainesville

Matheson History Museum
Publisher/HostMatheson History Museum
Cocoa & Culture: Sweet Stories from Trinidad to St. Augustine
Advertisement
Join Dr. Clarissa Carr and graduate researcher Anthea Grant of the University of Florida Historic Preservation Program for a fascinating journey into the cultural and historic legacy of chocolate in two richly layered places: Trinidad and Tobago and St. Augustine, Florida. Funded by the Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Research Grant, their projects highlight how cocoa has shaped landscapes, identities, and economies across time and place.
Anthea Grant, born and raised in Trinidad, will share her research into the island's cocoa traditions from colonial-era plantations to today’s cultural rituals like “Dancing the Cocoa.” Learn how oral histories and immersive digital storytelling are helping preserve the voices and stories of cocoa farmers, descendants of enslaved Africans, Indian indentured laborers, and Indigenous peoples.
Dr. Carr will then unwrap "Sweet Beginnings: St. Augustine’s Chocolate Legacy," an exhibit that explores how chocolate-making in one of America’s oldest cities intersected with immigration, innovation, and nostalgia. This exhibit highlights archival discoveries, a 1641 shipwreck, and the stories of families who shaped the city’s sweet tooth.
You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how preservationists document and share chocolate’s global story through interviews, maps, 360-degree video, and digital exhibits.
In-person registration: https://mathesonmuseum.networkforgood.com/events/89710-cocoa-culture-sweet-stories-from-trinidad-to-st-augustine
This program is sponsored in part by Visit Gainesville/Alachua County, FL and The City of Gainesville.
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

513 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL, United States, Florida 32601

Tickets

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Gainesville

Toubab Krewe Live at Heartwood Soundstage
Tue, 02 Dec at 07:00 pm Toubab Krewe Live at Heartwood Soundstage

619 South Main Street, Gainesville, FL, United States, Florida 32601

Dragster Adventure - Gainesville
Fri, 05 Dec at 08:00 am Dragster Adventure - Gainesville

Gainesville Raceway

Thornebrook Holiday Market
Fri, 05 Dec at 05:00 pm Thornebrook Holiday Market

2441 NW 43rd St, Gainesville, FL, United States, Florida 32606

Killer B's at Crafty Bastards (Gainesville, FL)
Fri, 05 Dec at 07:00 pm Killer B's at Crafty Bastards (Gainesville, FL)

4860 NW 39th Ave A, Gainesville, FL 32606

The Steeldrivers
Fri, 05 Dec The Steeldrivers

Outdoor Stage at Heartwood Soundstage

Listening Room: Zak Toscani
Fri, 05 Dec at 07:30 pm Listening Room: Zak Toscani

GFAA Gallery - Gainesville Fine Arts Association

Race For Inclusion - Gainesville
Sat, 06 Dec at 08:00 am Race For Inclusion - Gainesville

University of Florida Flavet Field

Gainesville is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Gainesville Events