Dr. Judy Bense will describe the fortifications built by the Spanish in West Florida. They will be compared to the total fortifications built at different locations built by the Spanish in the Southeast between 1562 and 1763. The fortifications will be described and the role they played in the Spanish approach to the Southeast and its indigenous populations along with Spanish colonial policy.

Dr. Judy Bense founded the Anthropology and Archaeology programs at the University of West Florida during her 40-year tenure including the Anthropology Department, Archaeology Institute, the Florida Public Archaeology Network and served as the UWF president from 2008 to 2017.

She has written a book on the Spanish presidios in West Florida published in 2022. Bense also chairs the Florida Historical Commission and has been inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame.