ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 27, 2026) — Florida was on the British side during the American Revolution. Yet some of the war's final battles took place here, including the last naval battle fought off Florida's coast in 1783.
That chapter of American history is often overlooked. Now, WUCF's Florida Road Trip is exploring Florida's role in the Revolution and the ways the state helped shape the country in the centuries that followed.
The two-part Florida Road Trip: America 250 special closes out the show's 2026 season, with episodes premiering at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, and Thursday, Nov. 5, on WUCF. Produced with support from the Duke Energy Foundation, the episodes are part of WUCF's broader America250 initiative.
The episodes will also air on public television stations across Florida. Check local listings for details.
Hosted by Emmy® Award-winning journalist Scott Fais, the first episode traces Florida's history from its Indigenous communities through Spanish and British rule and the American Revolution. Viewers will learn why Florida was strategically important to European powers, how Fort Mose became the first free Black settlement in the United States, and the role of the Siege of Pensacola in the Revolution.
The second episode examines how Florida helped shape the nation through agriculture, transportation and space exploration. Viewers will also discover the stories of Seminole artists and the Florida Highwaymen, whose work reflects the state's cultural history and changing landscape.
"There's so much about Florida's history within American history that even people who have lived here their whole lives may not know," said Jennifer Cook, executive director of WUCF. "That's what makes Florida Road Trip special. With the Duke Energy Foundation's support, we've been able to share more of these stories and give families new ways to connect with the history around them."
The Duke Energy Foundation's support extends beyond the television specials. Earlier this year, WUCF developed digital stories about Florida's history and brought America250 activities to Central Florida families through a PBS KIDS Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum character tour and Connecting Kids: Revolutionary Play, an interactive exhibit exploring how children lived and played in the 18th century. Additional funding for WUCF’s America250 initiative comes from the Ginsburg Family Foundation.
Florida Road Trip episodes are available to stream for free following broadcast, with early access through WUCF Passport.
The media tool kit with episode images is available through the Florida Road Trip newsroom.
To request interviews with featured guests or producers, contact:
Christine Dellert Mullon
christine@sondersays.com
407.718.0199
About WUCF: WUCF serves as the region's trusted source for educational programming, arts, culture and local storytelling. As Central Florida's only PBS affiliate and home for jazz, WUCF offers free, accessible content that enriches lives, fosters curiosity and strengthens the community. Guided by the mission "We Change Lives," WUCF is committed to connecting, inspiring and empowering audiences across all platforms. To explore WUCF's impact and programming, visit WUCF.org.
