Welcome to Voices of Havana
The Voices of Havana series is a set of documentaries produced through the Havana History & Heritage Society (HHHS). These engaging films depict an array of lively stories that bring the charming town and former tobacco growing epicenter to life. The HHHS was awarded grants from the Florida Humanities Council and the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources to fund the production of these documentaries.
Voices of Havana I - Historical archives and photographs were combined with digital interviews with Havana and Gadsden County residents to create a 47 minute video titled Voices of Havana. Covering numerous topics relating to the history of Havana and surrounding area, viewers can watch 2 to 5 minute videos covering 20 topical subjects. Voices of Havana I was produced & released in 2020
Voices of Havana II - The Voices of Havana II videos provide an in-depth look at historical topic pertinent to the Havana and Gadsden County community. View the three, 30 to 50 minute videos covering:
Voices SnapShots - The Voices of Havana project was started in 2020 in an effort to record, preserve, and share the stories of Gadsden County residents of all backgrounds and beliefs. Our hope is to compile and archive an oral history of our area “one story at a time”. To date, we have completed over 110 recordings of current and former Gadsden residents over the past three years. Voices SnapShots are short, 2 to 3 minute excerpts from these interviews. We know you will enjoy their stories.
Voices of Havana I - Historical archives and photographs were combined with digital interviews with Havana and Gadsden County residents to create a 47 minute video titled Voices of Havana. Covering numerous topics relating to the history of Havana and surrounding area, viewers can watch 2 to 5 minute videos covering 20 topical subjects. Voices of Havana I was produced & released in 2020
Voices of Havana II - The Voices of Havana II videos provide an in-depth look at historical topic pertinent to the Havana and Gadsden County community. View the three, 30 to 50 minute videos covering:
- The story of Havana in World War II as told largely through the voices of veterans, their families, and citizens who supported the war effort.
- How a small, startup farm supply store named The Planters Exchange, grew into the premier manufacturer of fertilizer in support of the shade tobacco industry in Gadsden County and neighboring communities for over 50 years.
- In Women Make History, learn how Home Demonstration Agents taught farm women better methods for carrying out their household responsibilities and how to improve family living conditions through home economics practices and the use of labor-saving devices.
Voices SnapShots - The Voices of Havana project was started in 2020 in an effort to record, preserve, and share the stories of Gadsden County residents of all backgrounds and beliefs. Our hope is to compile and archive an oral history of our area “one story at a time”. To date, we have completed over 110 recordings of current and former Gadsden residents over the past three years. Voices SnapShots are short, 2 to 3 minute excerpts from these interviews. We know you will enjoy their stories.
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Our History
The Town of Havana is located 14 miles north of Tallahassee in beautiful Gadsden County, Florida. In 1902, after the completion of a railroad track for the Georgia, Florida and Alabama Railroad, families who had originally settled in nearby Salem; decided to move about a mile east to the present site of Havana. The railroad was very important to the town which was incorporated on December 5, 1906.
A local schoolteacher, James Mathewson, proposed the town name. The name “Havana” is of Native American origin, though its exact significance has been lost. Cultivation of Cuban tobacco in the county began as early as 1829. The hand-wrapped cigars that were made here were like the ones made in Havana, Cuba. The Spanish mission of Santa Cruz de Cupali stood near here.
On a Thursday evening, March 16, 1916, much of the business portion of the town was destroyed by fire. Twenty-five buildings were burned, leaving only two stores. The first town administrators were Mayor H.M. Lott and Clerk/Treasurer H.M. Womack. Over the years, tobacco crops dwindled and now the Town of Havana is known for its Antique Shops, Art Galleries, and Specialty Shops and the Shade Tobacco Museum operated by the Havana History & Heritage Society.
A local schoolteacher, James Mathewson, proposed the town name. The name “Havana” is of Native American origin, though its exact significance has been lost. Cultivation of Cuban tobacco in the county began as early as 1829. The hand-wrapped cigars that were made here were like the ones made in Havana, Cuba. The Spanish mission of Santa Cruz de Cupali stood near here.
On a Thursday evening, March 16, 1916, much of the business portion of the town was destroyed by fire. Twenty-five buildings were burned, leaving only two stores. The first town administrators were Mayor H.M. Lott and Clerk/Treasurer H.M. Womack. Over the years, tobacco crops dwindled and now the Town of Havana is known for its Antique Shops, Art Galleries, and Specialty Shops and the Shade Tobacco Museum operated by the Havana History & Heritage Society.
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Havana History and Historical Society Located in The Planter's Exchange Complex 204 NW Second Street, Havana, FL 32333 Hours of Operation Saturday 10:30 A.M - 5:00 P.M. Sunday - 1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. |
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This project is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources and the State of Florida. |
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THE HAVANA HISTORY AND HERITAGE SOCIETY IS A 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT CORPORATION. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR ONLINE AT www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, ORRECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION #CH55786 |
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Funding for this program was provided through a grant from the Florida Humanities Council with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the Florida Humanities Council or the National Endowment for the Humanities. |
Published 2022 by the Havana History & Historical Society