Discover Florida Lecture Series, Featuring Dorothy K. Fletcher
2:00pm – 5:00pm
THE FLORIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Presents Discover Florida Lecture Series
Saturday September 6, 2025 2:00 pm
Library of Florida History 435 Brevard Ave
Featuring Dorothy K. Fletcher The Chambermaid: A Novel set in Florida’s French Colonial Fort Caroline
In 1564, the teenage girl Ellie is given the opportunity to leave her home in France, traveling to the unknown New World of Florida, to serve as the chambermaid of René Laudonnière at the remote outpost Fort Caroline. Ellie must bravely face the mysterious indigenous people of Florida, rebellious French settlers, and violent Spanish soldiers who consider the French Huguenots to be heretics as well as invaders on Spanish property.
During her often harrowing adventures, Ellie finds dedication, purpose, faith, and love. This work of fiction is largely based upon the real-life journals of Fort Caroline commander René Laudonnière, and mapmaker and artist Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues.
In 2007, Dorothy K. Fletcher retired after 35 years of teaching English in Jacksonville, Florida, and she discovered life as a writer. Her poetry and articles have appeared in nearly a hundred publications, and she has written and has published over a dozen books.
Her novel, The Chambermaid, published by the Florida Historical Society is set in the 1564 colony of Fort Caroline, which was located in the Jacksonville area. Dorothy lives in Jacksonville with her husband, Hardy, close to their children and grandchildren. FHS Lectures are always free & open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
