THE HISTORY OF FLORIDA MULLET
Manager of Sarasota County Division of Historical Resources, Dr. Joshua Goodman
At first blush, most folks would not think of mullet as a very interesting fish. Some may not even be aware that a mullet is a fish and not just a hairstyle! Kidding aside, this peculiar jumping fish has a fascinating history in Florida. From the days of the mighty Calusa Indians of Charlotte Harbor and Tocobaga of Tampa Bay, up through our own era, mullet resurface, again and again, to play a role in some of the most fascinating and unusual stories in our state's past. Join us at the September meeting for a REAL fishing story about this unique Florida mainstay, and there may be a recipe or two offered for any mullet lovers out there. Seriously, it's all true!
Dr. Goodman is a sixth generation Floridian from Taylor County, who recently wrote his first book, Forest Capital: A History of Taylor County, Florida, the first of many he has planned. Prior to coming to Sarasota County, Josh was an Archives Historian at the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, State Archives of Florida, Tallahassee (2018-2022). Dr. Goodman came to the Sarasota County Division of Libraries and Historical Resources in February 2022. He received his B.A. (2008) and M.A. (2010) in History from Florida State University and his Ph.D. from Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana (2017).