Submitted by Fran Folic
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. – Learn about the landmark people, places and legal cases that built Broward County in History Fort Lauderdale’s newest exhibition, “Justice from The Sea to The Sawgrass: A History of the Broward County Judiciary.” This free exhibition will be on view at the New River Inn (231 SW 2nd Ave. in Downtown Fort Lauderdale) from May 1 – 30 before it moves to its permanent home in the Broward County Courthouse.
“It is a privilege to host this extraordinary collection of historical photographs, artifacts, and news stories that honor Broward County’s judicial history and inspire a deeper appreciation for the foundations of justice in our community,” said Patricia Zeiler, executive director of History Fort Lauderdale. “This endeavor was the culmination of the dedication many of our esteemed and dedicated public servants and officials and we hope it inspires a new generation of aspiring lawmakers.”
History buffs will learn about the Broward County’s rich (and sometimes, storied) past beginning with its incorporation in 1915. Through archival photographs, artifacts and legal documents, visitors will view the original buildings housing the county’s judicial system, learn about Broward’s first judge, Jacob F. Bunn (1915-1920), its first female judicial officer, Eunice C. Rencher, the first female judge to be elected to a state bench, Mildred Akerman, and first two African American judges, Thomas J. Reddick, Jr., and Alcee Hastings. Also on display are several legal documents, articles and photos documenting the highly publicized national investigation of the death of celebrity Anna Nicole Smith and the infamous 2000 Florida Election Recount. Also on display are judicial robes and other personal effects from several previous judges and legal representatives.
This exhibit has been created with the generous support of Broward County Hispanic Bar Association, Honorable Florence Taylor Barner, Honorable Hope Bristol, Honorable Robert F. Diaz, Honorable Jane Fishman, Honorable Lisa Flanigan, Honorable Marina Garcia-Wood, Honorable Peggy Gehl, Honorable Kenneth Gottlieb, Honorable Daniel Kanner, Honorable Kristin Kanner, Honorable Robert W. Lee, Honorable Kathleen McCarthy, Honorable Lisa Porter, Honorable Jackie Powell, Honorable Linda Pratt, Honorable Carlos A. Rodriguez, Honorable Louis Schiff, Honorable Daniel Kanner, Yair Bengio, Esq., John Bristol, Esq., Patricia Windowmaker, Esq., Salome J Zikakis, Esq., and Patricia Zeiler.
Use of newspaper articles courtesy of the Sun-Sentinel and the Miami Herald.
Use of photographs courtesy of History Fort Lauderdale, Gene Hyde Collection, Broward County Bar Association, Sun-Sentinel, US News & World Report, Miami Herald, Broward County Hispanic Bar Association, Broward County Board of County Commissioners and Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal.
Support for “Justice from The Sea to The Sawgrass: A History of the Broward County Judiciary” has been provided by the following Funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: Jan and Ed Crocker Unrestricted Fund, Leo M. and Alice J. Rutten Fund, and The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Broward Community Fund. Additional funding is provided, in part, by Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward County Cultural Council and Visit Lauderdale.
History Fort Lauderdale offers a variety of engaging multicultural experiences throughout the year. It seeks to bring awareness to the community through both traveling exhibits and multiple permanent displays including “Women Trailblazers,” “Fort Lauderdale – the Early Years,” “Roots of Resilience: The Journey of Black Broward,” “From Dugouts to Dream Yachts: The Story of Boatbuilding Along the New River,” “Seminole Arts & Culture,” “New River Archaeology,” “Viva Fort Lauderdale: Celebrating Hispanic Art & Culture,” “The Growth and History of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office,” and “Take PRIDE, a Retrospective on LGBTQ Life in South Florida.”
History Fort Lauderdale is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with docent-guided tours offered daily at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Group walking tours are available upon special request. Admission is $15 for adults; $12 for seniors; and $7 for students (through age 22 with a valid student ID). Admission is free for members, military personnel, and children aged six and under. Tickets are available online at HistoryFortLauderdaleTickets.
For more information about History Fort Lauderdale, please call (954) 463-4431 or visit historyfortlauderdale.org.
About History Fort Lauderdale
Since 1962, History Fort Lauderdale has been committed to preserving our collective heritage, promoting historical literacy, and fostering a sense of pride and stewardship for the vibrant tapestry of our region’s history. Through dynamic exhibitions, engaging educational programs, and meaningful community initiatives, it strives to connect individuals of all ages and backgrounds with the stories, artifacts, and experiences that shape our shared past, present, and future. Guests to Fort Lauderdale are invited to explore the city’s rich past that is housed in historic buildings on a lushly landscaped campus – the History Museum of Fort Lauderdale situated in the 1905 New River Inn, the 1907 Pioneer House Museum, the 1899 Ivy Cromartie Schoolhouse Museum and the Hoch Research Library, South Florida’s foremost history center housing print resources and newspapers from 1910 – present plus 400,000 archival photos, 2,500 maps and 5,000 architectural blueprints. History Fort Lauderdale is located at 231 SW Second Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are available online at HistoryFortLauderdaleTickets. History Fort Lauderdale is a nonprofit agency supported by memberships, grants and charitable contributions. For more information, call (954) 463-4431 or visit historyfortlauderdale.org. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ftlhistory, on Instagram @ftlhistory and on Twitter @FTLHistory. Subscribe to us on YouTube at youtube.com/user/FTLhistory.
Learn about the landmark people, places and legal cases that built Broward County in History Fort Lauderdale’s newest exhibition,
Justice from The Sea to The Sawgrass: A History of the Broward County Judiciary.” On display May 1 – 30, 2026.
