The State of Florida has a rich history when it comes to the cattle industry. To this day cattle are a major part of the state’s billion-dollar agriculture industry, from Gadsden to Dade counties. In fact, Florida is one of the leading producers of cattle in the United States.

You can learn about this colorful history at the Shade Tobacco Museum in Havana, where a major new exhibit by the Florida Cattlemen’s Association chronicles how the cattle industry has impacted the state for more than five centuries. It’s believed Ponce de Leon introduced cattle to Florida in 1521. The highlight of the exhibit, which runs through January 11, 2020, are several beautifully restored cowboy saddles.

In conjunction with the Cattlemen’s exhibit is a presentation on Saturday, January 4, 10:30 a.m., by sixth generation Floridian Doyle Conner, Jr., a renowned cowboy-storyteller and history buff with an affinity for Florida’s colorful “Cracker” cowboy past. 

He is also passionate about restoring old saddles, many of which are in private collections or institutions such as the Smithsonian, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage.

The Shade Tobacco Museum is located in The Planters Exchange Complex, 204 Second Street, NW, Havana, Florida.