One of the first European women to arrive in La Florida, Maria accompanied her husband on the expedition of Spanish conquistador Panfilo de Narváez who landed somewhere along the coast of Pinellas County in 1528. Local artist / historian Elizabeth Neily brought her fascinating tale to life dressed in clothing of the period at a FL Archaeology Month event at the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center. Date recorded: 3/2/13