Dade Battlefield Society

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Dade Battlefield Society

Experience history firsthand. Contribute to preserving the natural beauty of Florida. Making History Come Alive!
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Create meaningful experiences for others while deepening your own cultural understanding. Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, acquired by the State of Florida in 1921, is the second oldest site in the state whose protection and preservation is designated as being in the best interests of its citizens. Although for two generations its main use was as a recreational spot for nearby residents, its

main focus was never lost: a memorial for the brave men, both soldiers and Native Americans, whose 1835 battle marked the beginning of the Second Seminole War, the longest conflict in the first 195 years of American history. In the mid-1950’s the State moved to more formally embrace the 80-acre property into its official park system, making improvements and other steps to bring the actual battlefield’s appearance back to what it was when Major Francis L. Dade’s command had been defeated by a greatly superior Seminole force. By 1987, the Dade Battlefield Society, formed with support from both the local community and others interested in preserving our natural and cultural heritage, became the park’s Citizen Support Organization. Our Society is concerned with increasing public awareness of Dade Battlefield and its significance through living history events, nature programs, social functions, educational and recreational activities, festivals, and our highly authentic annual reenactment of Dade’s Battle that is held each January. We are a diverse group of like-minded volunteers who proudly operate the Dade Battlefield Society exclusively for charitable purposes.

09/04/2026

📚 The Battlefield Book Fest is back! 📚

Calling all book lovers, authors and vendors! Join us for a day of books, history and fun at the 2nd Annual Battlefield Book Fest! Discover new authors, browse unique finds and enjoy a fun day at Dade Battlefield.

✨ Authors and vendors: We’d love to have you join us! Sign up to set up a table and share your books, products or educational offerings with our visitors. Find the application at www.dadebattlefield.com/bookfest or email [email protected] and we will send you the application.

📅 September 26, 2026
🕑 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
📍 Dade Battlefield Historic State Park

Whether you’re looking for your next great read or want to connect with fellow book lovers, this is an event you won’t want to miss!

💜 Bonus: Everyone gets a free book!! 📚

08/30/2026

Honor to the Dead

Members of the Dade Battlefield Society, Citizen Support Organization for Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, played a prominent role in the annual commemoration of the 1842 re-interment of Dade's Command and other Second Seminole War dead in St. Augustine recently. CSO Vice President Rich Anderson coordinated the event in partnership with the Florida National Guard, West Point Society of North Florida and Seminole Wars Foundation; Secretary Ross Lamoreaux led the troops in a reenactment of the parade from St. Francis Barracks to the Dade monument and pyramids at St. Augustine National Cemetery; and Treasurer Karen Salman escorted the wreath in the parade. Anderson delivered the keynote address at the cemetery, where several veteran Dade's Battle reenactors who marched to the cemetery fired a musket volley and presented arms as taps was played. The Dade park manager also participated. The ceremony was followed by remarks, the presentation of commemorative coins and lunch in the officer's club at the historic St. Francis Barracks, headquarters of the Florida National Guard.

Photos: Andrew Foster and Dade Battlefield Society

08/07/2026

🍄‍🟫🍄‍🟫 Fungi Friday! 🍄‍🟫🍄‍🟫

Chicken of the Woods 🐓

Not to be confused with real birds these chicken of the woods mushrooms (Berkcurtia spp.) can grow on hardwoods like this one that was growing at the base of a live oak. The chicken of the woods are wood-decay fungi that are reputed to taste like chicken! Everything tastes like chicken! Look for them typically from August on into early winter.

Just a reminder it is a violation of state law to remove plants on Florida state park lands so enjoy with your camera and send us your picture.

08/02/2026

🇺🇸🦃 Ben Franklin’s Choice for our National Bird 🇺🇸🦃

Dade Battlefield continues our 250th anniversary celebratory theme by providing lots of habitat for wild turkeys. Ben Franklin praised the turkey as a much more respectable bird and a proud native of America in a letter to his daughter where he playfully criticized our national symbol’s bald eagle’s moral character. Wild turkeys would never stoop to eat roadkill like our bald eagles but instead roam through forest and field searching for insects, worms, snails, frogs, small reptiles, grass, leaves and seeds.

Family flocks of hens and poults are seen regularly on Dade’s forest trails and in the open fields. Toms or gobblers are also seen in separate flocks feeding on the summer bounty. See a turkey or two or more at Dade - take a picture 📸 and let us know.

07/31/2026

🍄 FunGI Friday! 🍄

Have you ever spotted what looks like a little white ball resting on the forest floor? You may have found a puffball mushroom!

Unlike the familiar mushrooms with caps and gills, puffballs are round and hold their spores inside. As they mature, the inside changes from pure white to a powdery mass of millions of spores. When raindrops, curious animals, or even a gentle tap disturb a mature puffball, it releases a small "puff" of spores into the air—nature's clever way of helping the fungus reproduce!

Puffballs play an important role in the ecosystem by breaking down decaying organic matter and returning valuable nutrients to the soil, helping keep our forests healthy. The photo below shows the puff ball in various stages.

Next time you're exploring Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, keep an eye on the ground along wooded trails, especially after periods of warm, wet weather. You might be lucky enough to witness one of nature's tiniest smoke shows! Just a reminder that it is a violation of state law to remove plants (including mushrooms) from Florida State Parks.

📸 Have you ever seen a puffball release its spores? Share your photos or tell us about your favorite mushroom discovery in the comments!

Reminder: While some puffballs are edible when young, others closely resemble poisonous mushrooms in their early stages. Never consume wild mushrooms unless they have been positively identified by an expert.

07/24/2026

🍄 Fungi Friday! 🍄

This week's featured fungus is the fragile dapperling (Leucocoprinus fragilissimus)—one of the most delicate mushrooms you might encounter at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park.

True to its name, this tiny mushroom is incredibly fragile. Its paper-thin cap, often a bright lemon-yellow, can appear almost overnight after warm, rainy weather and may only last for a day before collapsing. Despite its short lifespan, the fragile dapperling plays an important role in the ecosystem by helping break down decaying plant material and returning nutrients to the soil.

Keep your eyes on the forest floor, along trails, or in grassy areas after a summer rain—you might spot one of these fleeting fungal treasures! Remember, while they're beautiful to admire, mushrooms are best left undisturbed so they can continue their important work in the park. Just a reminder it is a violation of state law to remove plants Florida State Parks.

Have you ever spotted a Fragile Dapperling during a visit? Share your photos in the comments! 🍄💛

07/22/2026

Did you know that Florida has two species of rabbits?

Dade Battlefield is home to both the Eastern cottontail and the marsh rabbit. The Eastern cottontail is found in brushy edges, weedy areas and briar patches. The cottontail has a white powder puff tail while the slightly smaller and darker marsh rabbit has a smaller grayish-brown tail and coarser hair. The marsh rabbit inhabits wetlands and nearby habitats and is known for its swimming ability. The marsh rabbit will often walk rather than hop so check out our rabbits as you walk the trails at Dade - you may get to see both species!

07/17/2026

Look Out For The Mob!

Have you seen mobbing behavior in response to predators such as this yellow rat snake that was seen recently in a live oak at Dade. In response to the snake the birds such as these blue jays repetitively swooped down loudly calling and were joined in by tufted titmouse, Northern cardinal and great-crested flycatcher. Sometimes the birds will actually physically strike the snake as they attempt to get it to leave the area. There is strength in numbers! Yellow rat snakes are known to eat bird eggs and birds. Yellow rat snakes are also beneficial in eating squirrels and rodents and keeping their populations in balance. All part of the balance of nature!

Address

7200 Battlefield Parkway
Bushnell, FL
33513

Telephone

+13527934781

Website

http://www.dadebattlefield.com/

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