Florida House Distinguished Author & Artist Awards
2024
Dr. Jack E. Davis
| A distinguished professor of history and the Rothman Family Chair in the Humanities specializing in environmental history and sustainability studies, Jack is the author or editor of ten books, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning “The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea”. The NYT Book Review called The Gulf a “beautiful homage to a neglected sea”. His latest book, “The Bald Eagle: The Improbable Journey of America’s Bird,” was a NYT Book Review Editor’s Choice and a LA Times top-five nonfiction book for 2022. Jack has won numerous awards and honors for his teaching and writing. He is currently working on a book with the working title, “The American Coast: History and Prophecy at Land’s End.”
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Mac Stone
| Mac Stone grew up exploring the springs, swamps, and hammocks of North Central Florida where he developed a passion for photography and conservation at a young age. His work focuses on swamps and wetlands in an attempt to change public opinion towards these often misunderstood and maligned ecosystems. After spending five years living and working in the Everglades watershed, he released a book about the heralded River of Grass – “Everglades: America’s Wetland.” Mac is a contributing photographer for National Geographic Magazine, a National Geographic Society Explorer, and a senior fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers. |
Previous Award Winners
2022
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
Gary R. Mormino, Ph.D., Author
E. ‘Beanie’ Backus, Artist *Deceased
2011
Niki and Clyde Butcher, Artists
Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Author *Deceased
2010
Christopher M. Still, Artist
Carlton W. Ward, Jr., Author
2009
2008
The Highwaymen, Artists
Florida Icon
2015 – Pete Clemons, Okeechobee
At the Spring, 2016 Board of Trustees meeting Okeechobee native Pete Clemons was recognized as a Florida Icon. At 16 Pete became a professional rodeo athlete, putting himself through college with his winnings. He is a 10-time Florida rodeo champion and won the Silver Spurs Rodeo All Around Champion award eight times. The mascot for Osceola High School’s Cowboys was based on a drawing of Pete as he went to compete in the National Jaycees Rodeo Championship in Colorado Springs. He won the best all-around title. At the age of 37 he retired from the rodeo to raise cattle on his Okeechobee ranch and run the Okeechobee Livestock Market. In 2008 he was inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame. As one of the best known and beloved cowboys in our state, Florida House honors Pete with its first Florida Icon Award.
The 1845 Society
The 1845 Society honors and celebrates those who have shown extraordinary effort on behalf of Florida House. This is the highest award Florida House bestows and it is not given on a regular basis. The honoree is given the Louise Lykes Ferguson Medal, named after one of our founding Trustees and shown here with Founder Rhea Chiles.
Society Members:
2016 Grace and Bill Nelson
2013 Emilie and Clay Shaw
2011 Gus Stavros
2009 Eileen and Loyd Kelly
2008 Snead Davis
2007 Elizabeth Lindsay
2006 Sarah McKay
2004 Adele and Bob Graham
2003 Rhea Chiles
The Rhea Chiles Vision Award
The Rhea Chiles Vision Award is given to a Floridian who has given extraordinary service to Florida House, its mission, vitality and stability; to someone whose involvement moved the organization toward expansion, soundness or increased stature. Nominations are only accepted from Florida House trustees.
Vision Award Recipients:
Grace Nelson
Dominic Calabro
Joyce Stevens
Ralph Marrinson
Pat and John Mica
Patrick Geraghty
Mike Hightower
Emilie and Clay Shaw
Patsy Woodroffe
Sandy Thomas
Deanna Kirchman
The Chairman’s Award
Given by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for exceptional service.
2014 The Risi Family
2024 Emily Puffer Strickland
The Florida House Education Award
Recognizing outstanding achievement in education, a core value in the Florida House mission.
2014 Sarah McKay
