HENRY J. ROLFS

Henry J. Rolfs had faith in an idea that lead to the founding of the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) in 1973, a research foundation with more than 55,000 members around the world that studies the mind and its diverse ways of knowing in a truly interdisciplinary fashion.

In 1986, developers David Paladino and Henry Rolfs purchased the property now known as CityPlace with a grand vision of building the nation's largest downtown development. To prove they were serious, Paladino and Rolfs razed the shabby neighborhood.� But the economy stalled and their project floundered.

His father, Peter Henry Rolfs, was the dean and the founder of the Herbarium of the Florida Agricultural College in Lake City -- now known as the University of Florida Herbarium (FLAS), and made voluminous contributions to the collection during the period 1891-1898.

Peter Henry Rolfs came to Lake City from Iowa in late (Nov.-Dec.) 1891 as horticulturist and biologist for the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station and professor of natural science, entomology, and botany for the Florida Agricultural College.� His college title was changed to professor of biology and horticulture in 1894.

Professor Paul Ehrlich, in his book Mathematics at the University of Florida in Gainesville, claims to have known the daughter of Colin Gunn (alumni of 1916) who in turn also claims to have known Peter Rolfs.� An excerpt from his book detailing an interview with Colin about his exploits with Rolfs is included here.� For the complete transcript instead, follow this link.

Click on the plaque at left to view the sculpture's inscription!