Flagler lecture looks at the ‘Henry Flagler Few People Know’

Jan. 10, 2013

From the being the brains behind America’s first huge multi-state corporation to his business failures and tragic personal loss, Henry Flagler's life was truly remarkable. John Blades, the executive director of the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach will explain just how remarkable when he speaks at Flagler College on Jan. 15.

“Floridians tend to think of Henry Flagler as a railroad man,” explained Blades, who will speak as part of the 125th anniversary celebration of the Hotel Ponce de Leon, Flagler’s flagship hotel. “But even if Flagler had never built a railroad or come to Florida, his life story would still be amazing.”

After a 20-year career at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California, John Blades was appointed Executive Director of the Flagler Museum in 1995. Since then he has overseen the development of the museum including the construction of the new Flagler Kenan Pavilion and the creation of the Henry Flagler Harris Research Library.

Blades’ “Amazing Things About Henry Flagler Few People Know” lecture is free and open to the public and will take place at 7 p.m. on Jan. 15 in the Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St.

The event is part of "Celebrating the Legacy: 125 Years of the Hotel Ponce de Leon." The yearlong celebration will honor the legacy of Flagler's entrepreneurship and community-building. The founding partner with John D. Rockefeller in Standard Oil, he launched a resort empire along Florida's east

Visit www.ponce125.com for more details or call 904-819-6400.

Comments