The University of Florida partnered with St. Augustine to develop a chocolate history exhibition, supported by a $14,000 grant, showcasing the historical significance of chocolate’s introduction to North America through a virtual walking trail and multimedia experience.

The University of Florida (UF) partnered with the city of St. Augustine this week to develop a chocolate exhibition, supported by a $14,000 grant from the Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Grant program.

UF professors will undertake the project at the Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum, focusing on the historical significance of chocolate and its introduction to North America. The exhibition will focus on the history of chocolate and its introduction to North America. 

Research findings will be shared through a publicly accessible ArcGIS StoryMap, which will include a single-scroll website that allows viewers to participate in a ‘virtual walking trail’ of different university-owned properties throughout St. Augustine. The multimedia experience will include audio snippets, text, and photographs to inform users of the area’s rich history in chocolate. 

“Any time I talk to someone about this topic, they have no idea that chocolate came in through St. Augustine,” said Clarissa Carr, Ph.D., a research assistant professor in the College of Design, Construction, and Planning at UF. “I don’t think there’s ever been a full exhibit in the Governor’s House based on the history of chocolate, so I think it will be a good way to bring people to this building and share the chocolate history but also the history of the program in St. Augustine.”

UF’s Historic Preservation Program, in collaboration with UF Historic St. Augustine, Inc. and the George A. Smathers Libraries, secured one of six grants awarded this year by the Heritage Chocolate Society. The grants, sponsored by Mars Wrigley’s American Heritage Chocolate brand, were created in 2003 to promote research into the complex history of chocolate and its impact on society.

“I initially proposed the idea of researching the introduction of chocolate to the United States via St. Augustine,” Carr explained. “Given my background in graphic design and exhibit design, I saw an opportunity to bring these elements together to create an engaging exhibition.”

Carr will present a video showcasing the UF project and discuss her research findings at the Heritage Chocolate Society’s annual meeting next February.