Q. She founded a college in Daytona Beach that bears her name. Who is she?

(______and Dr. Colston, ca. 1940s. Credit: Historical Museum of Southern Florida.)

 

A noted educator, this woman was born a daughter of slaves and went on to become a member of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s so-called “Black Cabinet”. This was an unofficial advisory committee comprised of distinguished African Americans who were chosen to help with affairs dealing with education, and jobs, among other things. Her passion and hard work greatly impacted the lives of African Americans in the United States and the state of Florida. 

A. Mary McLeod Bethune  

Q. Which now popular fruit used to be called an alligator pear?

(A Florida Man-eater, Jacksonville, Fl, ca. 1920. Credit: Historical Museum of Southern Florida.)

 

With their thick, reptilian skin, this fruit was once likened to the largest predator in the Florida Everglades. Native to Central America, it is a popular backyard and commercial crop in Florida now. It can be green, black or even have a purple hue.

A. Avocado

Q. What was his name?

(_____ca. 1930. Credit: Miami Police Department, Historical Museum of Southern Florida.)

 

The 1930’s brought a new resident to Miami. He was a well-known underworld figure from Chicago.  Many Miamians hoped he would go back to Chicago, but the gangster stood on his constitutional right and declared he was making Miami his home. *Come to the Historical Museum of Southern Florida’s new exhibit Crime in Miami!

 A. Al Capone

Q. What is one of the most important trees in S. Florida’s eco-system?

(Mrs. Frothingham, ca. 1890. Credit: Ralph Munroe Collection, Historical Museum of Southern Florida. )

 

This tree is often referred to as a ‘wild banyan’ tree. It is a tree that often kills others in its method of growth. The _____________ has adapted very well to urban environments. It can be found growing on landscape plants (especially palms) all over the city. Amazingly, it finds space in cracks in sidewalks, roofs, chimneys, and even on bridges, freeways and the tracks of Metrorail! It’s assumed that most of Miami would be overgrown by these trees if they weren’t removed.

A. The Strangler Fig