Sponsored By Lutz Cemetery
The Florida Legacy Project is an ongoing youth-driven historical research initiative centered at Lutz Cemetery. Students select an individual buried in the cemetery and conduct in-depth historical research to document that person's life, legacy, and contribution to the community.
Through archival research, interviews, and artifact collection, students transform forgotten names into living stories. These stories are preserved digitally and made accessible to the public through QR-enabled memorials.
Our Mission
To preserve Florida history by empowering youth to research, document, and share the life stories of those laid to rest at Lutz Cemetery using modern technology and historical best practices.
Core Goals
To preserve local and state history; engage youth in hands-on historical research; honor individuals and families through storytelling, and merge historic preservation with digital innovation.
Student Research Component
Each student or student team will:
- Select a person interred at Lutz Cemetery
- Conduct historical and genealogical research
- Gather and digitize materials, including:
- Photographs
- Letters & Documents
- Military Records
- Newspaper Articles
- Family Trees
- Oral Histories & Interviews
- Personal Memorabilia (when available)
- Write a biographical narrative suitable for public viewing.
Community & Educational Impact
Impact for Students
- Real-world research experience
- Civic pride and historical awareness
- Writing, technology, and critical thinking skills
- Service learning and volunteer hours
Impact for Families
- Preservation of family history
- Public recognition of loved ones
- A permanent digital legacy
Impact for Community
- Living cemetery experience
- Heritage tourism potential
- Intergenerational storytelling
- Preservation of local Florida history
Student Participation Guide
Each student will be guided as they become a historian, researcher, and storyteller. Through the project they will help preserve Florida's history by researching the life of a person buried at Lutz Cemetery and transforming their story into a permanent digital legacy.
Lutz Cemetery is more than 115-years old and is full of amazing stories and history.
Each student's work will ensure that future generations can learn about the people who helped shape our community - simply by scanning a QR code on a headstone or niche.
Learn More about Life's QR
Our student historians will collect information that will be digitized and added to an exclusive memorial page accessible by scanning the stainless steel QR code that will be affixed to the person's headstone or niche. Click the button to learn more about Life's QR.
Achievable Steps to Success
Step 1: Choosing a Research Subject
Lutz Cemetery is 155+ years old with veterans as far back as the Civil War. There are also many names within the cemetery you might recognize as the names of streets in our community.
Step 2: Research & Source Collection
We will help you with ideas on where to look for information and provide contact information to family members who have agreed to participate.
Step 3: Collecting & Digitizing Materials
We will guide you on how to properly handle materials entrusted to your care.
Step 4: Writing the Biography
This project will help you to create a biographical narrative that includes early life background, education, career or military service, personal accomplishments, and more.
Step 5: Creating the Digital Legacy Page
Each participant will be provided with a Life's QR for their subject. Project coordinators will assist with final formatting and publication to the online digital site.
Step 6: QR Code Installation
The Student Historian's research becomes a permanent part of the cemetery and the community.