Department of History

Merrilyn Rathbun, who is the Research Director at the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, has been a long time resident of Florida and speaks about her life experiences and how Fort Lauderdale has changed over time.

The interview recounts Mr. Alfords early life and his childhood memories. After joining the military he enrolled at the University of Miami to study Business Administration. At the age of twenty-eight, he became the first assistant city manager of Boca Raton and eventually moved up to the official city manager position in 1966 which he held for 6 years. Having gained respect and support from the community, Mr. Alford was elected mayor of Boca Raton in 1972.

Mrs. Brennan speaks about her family background, growing up in New York in the 1930s, and gives a detailed account of her time as an airline stewardess.

Anthony J. Catanese gives an account of his tenure as the president of Florida Atlantic University between 1990 and 2002.

Mr. Calton, a B-24 pilot in the Second World War, is discussing his family history, childhood memories, adult life and involvement in the war.

Elizabeth Durham recallls childhood memories, effects of the Great Depression and her life in Fort Lauderdale.

John Fransz discusses his family background, Dutch immigration in Indonesia, life in Jakarta during World War II, and moving to the United States in 1955.

William Harrington recounts his childhood, Navy service, and his career in politics.

A well known public servant, businessman, and political leader, Philip D. Lewis has lived in Palm Beach County since the early 1930s, when his family moved to Palm Beach from Chicago. After attending Georgetown University, he married Maryellen Howley of Lake Worth and joined his father’s real estate development firm. In 1958 he established Philip D. Lewis Real Estate, a commercial and industrial real estate company based in Riviera Beach. He and his wife became the parents of nine children, all educated, as were their parents, in local parochial schools. He was elected to the Florida Senate in 1970 and served as that body’s president 1979-1980. Since leaving elected office he has served the county and the state in a myriad of ways, often drafted for service by Florida governors for posts ranging from chairmanship of aging and water management studies to post-hurricane reviews and service on blue ribbon education panels. Throughout his adult life Lewis has been involved in civic and charitable activities, and he remains an active Catholic layman and advisor to leaders of The Diocese of Palm Beach and The Archdiocese of Miami.