Greater Bradenton explores the archaeological discovery of Angola, a once-thriving community along the banks of the Manatee River. As the southernmost stop on the Underground Railroad, Angola was founded by formerly enslaved people and their Seminole allies, who forged a refuge of freedom and self-determination in the colonial era. In 1821, the settlement was destroyed, forcing many of its residents to seek safety in places such as the Bahamas, where many of their descendants still live today. Each year, Bradenton’s Back to Angola Festival honors their enduring legacy and the pursuit of freedom that continue to echo across generations.