Thomas Hallock, Ph. D., at WMNF in Tampa, Florida on April 18, 2026. Credit: Ray Roa / Creative Loafing Tampa Bay

Three years ago, Prof. Thomas Hallock released “Happy Neighborhood,” a collection of essays and poems that, in part, reminds us to take a little time at night to recall a good memory.

But Hallock, a columnist for Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, is an academic, too. He’s spent eight years poring over William Bartram’s papers, and while he’s been teaching Florida literature for over 25 years, Hallock has a guarantee for anyone coming to this talk.

“I promise to keep whatever I’ve learned to 30-40 minutes,” he told CL.

That’s too bad.

Bartram’s “Travels” is a fascinating look into the mindset of a nation in the late-1700s; his letters, papers and journals influenced Florida literature, too.

There’s no cover to attend Speaking of History at Heritage Village Museum & Park in Largo on Sunday, Oct. 11 (donations accepted).