Meet Author Joe Williams at History Fort Lauderdale’s “Florida Scribes & Stories”

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History Fort Lauderdale

History Fort Lauderdale presents a free book signing and meet & greet with former deputy sheriff and historian Joe Williams, author of Unearthed.

History Fort Lauderdale, proud steward of our community’s past by making our heritage accessible and engaging to residents and visitors, will present a free book signing and meet & greet with Joe Williams, author of Unearthed. He will be available to meet guests and autograph copies of his book on Tuesday, October 14, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

His appearance, part of History Fort Lauderdale’s “Florida Scribes & Stories,” also coincides with the grand opening of the new exhibit, “The Growth and History of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.” This engaging exhibition takes a closer look at the department’s progress over the years, from 1915 to the present, while also highlighting the sometimes-scandalous history that has shaped its story. The exhibit features images and narratives from the department’s origins to the prohibition era, organized crime, gambling and outlaws, to mid-century racial tensions and finally, the expansion, modernization, and professionalism of today. Williams is also a major contributor of artifacts and photographs to the new exhibit.

Unearthed captures the dark history of Broward County in the 1940s. A tough-as-nails sheriff who did things his way. The New York mobster Meyer Lansky who profited from his friendship with the sheriff's department. It is a story of a young cop hired to enforce the Florida gambling laws, ultimately leading to his untimely death. A 75-year-old story of his tragic death from a car accident ... or was it?

Drinks and light bites will be provided. Guests may RSVP to bit.ly/FloridaScribesWilliams2025.

History Fort Lauderdale is proud to host a variety of engaging multicultural experiences, year-round. It seeks to bring awareness to the community through both traveling exhibits and multiple permanent exhibits including “Women Trailblazers,” “Roots of Resilience: The Journey of Black Broward,” “Fort Lauderdale – the Early Years,” “Fashion & Musical Theatre,” “From Dugouts to Dream Yachts: the story of boatbuilding along the New River,” Seminole Arts & Culture,” “New River Archaeology,” and “Take PRIDE, a retrospective on LGBTQ life in South Florida.” The nonprofit museum also hosts an artists’ collective collaborative space.

For more information about History Fort Lauderdale, please call (954) 463-4431 or visit us online at historyfortlauderdale.org. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ftlhistory, on Instagram @ftlhistory and on Twitter @FTLHistory. Subscribe to us on YouTube at youtube.com/user/FTLhistory.