The Matheson History Museum presents Liz Coursen: An illustrated history of the postcard in Florida

Press release from the Matheson History Museum

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Come take an exciting trip — a trip back in time — from the days when Florida was a backwoods swamp in the early 1900s through its transformation into a vacation paradise in the 1950s. Join award-winning editor and veteran postcard collector Liz Coursen as she illustrates how Florida progressed from ox carts to Streamliners, from alligator-infested waterways to bathing beauties cavorting on white-sand beaches, using museum-quality postcards — many featuring vintage views of Gainesville and Alachua County — to tell the tale.

WHEN: Wednesday, August 20, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: The Matheson History Museum, 513 E. University Avenue

In-person registration: https://mathesonmuseum.networkforgood.com/events/88619-having-fun-wish-you-were-here-an-illustrated-history-of-the-postcard-in-florida

Liz Coursen

Liz Coursen grew up bouncing between Brunswick, Maine, and Sarasota, Florida. A self-described serial entrepreneur, Liz started her first business — selling Christmas ornaments of her own design and manufacture door-to-door — as a sixth-grader. She would go on to graduate from Emory University in Atlanta with a degree in English literature. While at Emory, Liz put herself through college by starting a lawn care service and played ice hockey all four years — as the only girl on the team.

Liz has been a postcard collector for 40 years and has lectured all over the country about the history of postcards in America.

This program is sponsored in part by Visit Gainesville/Alachua County, FL and the City of Gainesville.