SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER!

Robert Jacob, Guest Speaker
(Social & Meeting)

2025 Spring Membership Meeting, June 6 & 7
 Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

Ahoy, Me Hearties!

Join FLA at its 2025 Spring Membership Meeting in Pensacola, Florida, on June 6 and 7, for presentations exploring the history of piracy, led by leading researcher, Robert Jacob, who has delved deep into the lives and motivations of these legendary figures to uncover the truth about pirates on the Florida coast. Mr. Jacob’s lectures promise a unique and insightful journey into the world of pirates and their impact on history. Uncover the hidden world of piracy and discover the stories behind the infamous sea rovers - Jean Laffite, Jose Gaspar, and Louis-Michel Aury, among others - in two captivating lectures, the first on Friday evening at the FLA social and the second on Saturday during the membership meeting!

Robert Jacob is an award-winning author and lecturer whose lifelong passion for history led to his induction into the International Pirate Hall of Fame. While researching pirates, Robert realized that much of the historical record was contradictory and incorrect. In 2018, after a ten-year quest for accurate information on pirates, he compiled his findings in his book, A Pirate’s Life in the Golden Age of Piracy. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Robert achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5 in the U.S. Marine Corps and retired to Florida, where fans attending book signings and festivals inspired him to write Pirates of the Florida Coast: Truths, Legends, and Myths. His third book, Blackbeard: The Truth Revealed, is the definitive publication on the world’s most famous pirate.

Robert will offer his three books for purchase at the spring meeting for a special discounted price to FLA members.

So come along with us at the 2025 Spring Membership Meeting as we set sail for a fascinating adventure into the world of piracy, explore the rich history of the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, and enjoy some stunning views of the Gulf Coast from atop one of Florida’s tallest sentinels.

Regular in-person registration closes on May 23, and late in-person registration and virtual registration close on May 30.

Hope to see you there!