The Legacy of A Land Remembered

An Evening with Rick Smith, Son of Author Patrick D. Smith

Join us for a special evening celebrating one of Florida’s most beloved works of literature, A Land Remembered, with Rick Smith, son of acclaimed author Patrick D. Smith.

Patrick D. Smith’s iconic novel has introduced generations of readers to a Florida that existed long before highways, high-rises and sprawling development. Through the fictional MacIvey family, the novel traces three generations of Florida life from 1858 to 1968, weaving together family, survival, hardship, change and the profound relationship between people and the land.

But what inspired Patrick Smith to tell this story? How did he research the people, places and events that brought old Florida to life? And what was it like to watch his father create a book that would become such an enduring part of Florida’s cultural heritage?

Rick Smith offers a unique perspective that no other speaker can provide. As Patrick D. Smith’s son, Rick knew the author personally and has spent years sharing his father’s stories and preserving his literary legacy. His presentation offers an intimate look behind the pages of A Land Remembered—from the inspiration and research behind the novel to the Florida his father knew, loved and sought to preserve through his writing.

Guests will discover the stories behind the story and gain a deeper appreciation for the people, landscapes and history that shaped one of Florida’s most treasured novels.

Whether you have read A Land Remembered for years or are discovering it for the first time, this is an evening you won't want to miss.