Elizabeth Neily

artist • storyteller • photographer

videographer • consultant

In search of more information about Florida's first people for a series of paintings she was creating, Elizabeth was introduced to Hermann Trappman. Three years later, in 1993, they married. They share a love of learning about the life ways of Florida's native people. Together they offer workshops at living history symposiums to folks involved in eco-cultural tourism.

Elizabeth began to delve into the roles women played in Florida history. It developed into a passion that lead her to introduce women's programs at "male-dominated" historical reenactments. She researches and makes historically-correct period clothing for all her characters, as well as for other re-enactors, some of which may be seen on this site. She has organized reenactments of the Narváez Expedition-1528, and the Menéndez Landing at Tocobaga-1567, and encouraged school children to participate.

In 1998, Elizabeth founded the Florida Frontier Gazette, a quarterly journal devoted to Florida history, funded by grants from the Florida Department of State, Historical Resources Division. Back issues of the magazine, which is no longer published due to cuts to grant funds, are offered for sale in the STORE.

Always an avid photographer, Elizabeth has taken on producing videos as her creative outlet. She is also writing a book based on the newspaper stories written by Kathleen Watkins Coleman, about her experiences as a war correspondent in Tampa, Key West, and Cuba during the Spanish American.

In 2007, Elizabeth was appointed the director of the Panama Canal Museum in Seminole, FL, but that is a whole other story . . .

Recent Public Appearances

as Maria Velasquez - "Women of the Spanish Main"

Studio@620, St. Petersburg; DeSoto National Memorial, Bradenton; Old Florida Festival, Collier County Museum, Naples; Calusa Days, Randell Research Center, Pinelands; Tampa Bay History Center Board of Directors' reception, Tampa; Women's Club of Clearwater Luncheon, Clearwater; Suncoasters Luncheon, Clearwater Beach; Safety Harbor Public Library, Safety Harbor; Menéndez Landing, 1567, Philippe Park, Safety Harbor, 16th Century Feast at Sacred Lands, St. Petersburg, Menéndez Birthday, St. Augustine.

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as Charlotte Fontaine Phillip - "Women of the Second Seminole War, " Dade Battle Reeactment, Bushnell, Alafia River Rendezvous, Homeland

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as Memaw Trouble "Gator Tales" - Charlotte County Frontier Days, Port Charlotte.; Gulfport Art Village Stage, Gulfport

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as Grandmother Mangrove, "Calusa Storyteller," Collier County Museum, Naples

EMAIL

Art Exhibits

Shadows of the Past Productions (See videos on YouTube.com)

Educational Programs and Eco-Tourism Workshops

Living History Events and Reenactments

Luncheon or Dinner as Keynote Speakers

Cruise & Convention as Keynote Speakers

Consulting Services

FLORIDA FRONTIERS

5409 21st Avenue S.

Gulfport, FL 33707

(727) 321-7845

EMAIL

Studio is located in Gulfport, FL, and as this is their private residence, visitation is by invitation only.

"Tocobaga Indians" at Pyramid Studios photo shoot at DeSoto National Memorial

by Elizabeth Neily ©2008