Outlaw Archaeology: How Crime Shaped South Florida’s History

Deering Estate presents the “Outlaw Archaeology” Lecture by Malachi Fenn on Sunday, February 8th.

For centuries, South Florida was America’s final frontier, and one of the last places folks could go to disappear. Its unique environment has attracted pirates, gangsters, rum-runners, and other interesting characters! Dodging the law is one of South Florida’s proudest traditions, and much of our state’s history involves organized crime and criminality. This landscape archaeology talk maps out what makes a pirate and what makes a privateer, a brief history of Floridians’ responses to Prohibition, notable organized crime landmarks, and more!

Photo:
A photograph of a 1925 prohibition raid in Miami, FL from the Florida Memory Project.
Romer, G. W.(Gleason Waite), 1887-1971. Prohibition raid – Miami, Florida. 1925. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/39518>
Image provided by Malachi Fenn

COST:
$15 per person ages 14+ (non-members).
Deering Estate Foundation members receive a 10% discount. To redeem your discount, contact the Deering Estate Foundation office by email to receive your exclusive promo code to be entered when purchasing on Park Link.
Tickets online.

About Malachi Fenn
Malachi, FPAN Southeast’s Public Archaeologist, previously worked in cultural resource management and museum projects across South Florida. They hold a B.A. in Anthropology from New College of Florida and an M.A. in Archaeology and Heritage Studies from the University of Leicester, with specializations in Florida pre-colonial and historical archaeology, museum collections care, and scientific illustration.

Parking & Directions: Free parking is available in the Visitor Center parking lot located on SW 168 Street just west of 72nd Avenue. The event will be held indoors in the Visitor Center Theater.