Marineland Dolphin Adventure was another first-time historic attraction to the join the 2025 St. Augustine History Festival. So what better way to begin this relationship than for Marineland and Flagler College’s Lifelong Learning program to collaborate for a discussion on the world’s first Oceanarium! Our guest speaker, Marineland Historian Terran McGinnis, was gracious enough to share several of her slides from her talk. For a full description of this Special Event, continue scrolling after viewing the fun photos. Pay close attention to the slide that lists all of Marineland’s fascinating “Firsts!” Stay tuned for what 2026 will bring!

Join Flagler College Lifelong Learning as we travel back in time to 1938 for the grand opening of Marine Studios: The world’s first oceanarium and underwater film studio. From Florida tourism to literary greats to architectural styles to marine science – so many firsts in history happened at Marineland and it’s still happening today! Learn all about the past, present, and future of this famous marine science facility.

This will be a special event, indeed!

Who: Marineland Historian Terran McGinnis

When: Friday, May 9 (2025)

Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm

Where: Flagler College Pollard Hall, Room 110, at 31 Cordova Street – right next to the Maple Street Biscuit Company!

Parking at Flagler College not included with this event.