Back in 1989, when author Betty Jean Steinshouer came on a 10-city tour of the state, her only literary interest was in Nebraska author Willa Cather. But as she took her book, “Willa Cather Speaks,” from town to town, Floridians kept imploring her: “Do our author next!”

“Our author,” in those days, meant Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, and by the time she got from Key West to St. Augustine, Steinshouer was convinced. She made plans to return to Florida that summer and begin research in the Rawlings Archive at the University of Florida in Gainesville. One of her main sources of first-hand information about Rawlings was Dessie Smith Prescott, a Crystal River resident. Her book on Kinnan Rawlings, “Notes from Cross Creek,” was released in 1991.

“Scribbling Women in Florida” to be presented by Betty Jean Steinshouer March 10

Steinshouer will be visiting the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum (located at 1 Courthouse Square Inverness, FL 34450) on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at 7:00pm to present her lecture, “Scribbling Women,” as part of the museum’s Coffee and Conversations series. She will discuss women authors in Florida – the topic of her upcoming book, entitled “Florida Journeys.” Coffee and light refreshments will be served.

“Betty Jean Steinshouer was named a Fellow in Florida Studies at the University of South Florida in 2004, and we are so happy to have her come and speak,” said Historical Resources Director Lindsey Gilbert. “We especially look forward to hearing about her conversations with Dessie, a Citrus County treasure who was inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame before her death in 2004.”

Due health concerns, seating for this event will be limited. A virtual event will be viewable for free on the museum’s YouTube Channel. Because she will have to speak while wearing a mask, Steinshouer has recorded her main remarks onto her PowerPoint, with captions, to make the program accessible for all. She will then answer questions and lead a discussion on these fascinating “Scribbling Women.”

For more information or to reserve seating, please call The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum at (352) 341-6428 or visit their website at www.cccourthouse.org.