When & Where

April 24-25, 2027

Fort Clinch State Park – 2601 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Join our band of silver-stained scoundrels for a weekend of chemical chaos and camaraderie!

REGISTER NOW! We’re setting up a grand base camp in the wilderness (it’s not actually that wild-they have a bathhouse and electricity). Book your own campsite through the park’s website for the full experience (the campground by the river). If sleeping in a tent or RV isn’t your vibe, no worries—come hang with us by the fire, swap stories, and talk shop before retreating to a nearby air-conditioned sanctuary.

Photo Opps

The park is gorgeous —think winding roads tunneled under heavy canopies of ancient oaks, draped in thick curtains of Spanish moss. When you aren’t making plates, you can hit the beach to catch some sun. Just a short drive away, downtown Fernandina Beach has historic charm, with its rows of Victorian-era homes and a relaxed, coastal-cool vacation vibe.

Photo by Lauren Mancke (freerangestock.com)

Access to Historic Fort Clinch!

Here is the crown jewel of the weekend: We’ve secured the privilege of setting up our gear directly inside the walls of historic Fort Clinch. It is a rare honor, and honestly, the aesthetic is unmatched. To join this inner circle of plate-makers inside the Fort, you’ll need to register online in advance and sign a volunteer waiver upon arrival. This is a closed-set situation for the dedicated—absolutely no walk-ons permitted. Secure your spot and let’s make some history.

It’s a fascinating historical footnote that no wet-plate photographs taken at the Fort during the mid-1800s are known to have survived. We have been presented with an opportunity to remedy this. As a gesture of our sincere gratitude for this privilege, we invite you to provide digital scans of your work for the Museum’s archives for future display. A submission link will be shared following our gathering— any contributions would help the Fort finally complete its visual record.

Prefer making portraits?

If you prefer shooting people over landscapes, you can take portraits of the other collodionists. Don’t we all love a new portrait? We’re also hoping to invite a few historical interpreters in period dress for you to capture with your lens.

What does it cost?

Good news: joining us at the Southeastern Collodion Weekend won’t cost you a dime! No registration fees —we’re just in it for the chemistry, the camaraderie, and the chaos of making plates together.

That said, the park charges just $6 per vehicle / per day to roll through the gates. If you’re planning to camp with us, campsites average about $40 a night, but they disappear fast – Don’t wait! Secure your campsite or hotel sanctuary NOW. They will become available to book 10 months in advance. We’ll add a few suggestions of hotels in your sign-up email.

Is there a schedule?

Please feel free to come and go as your heart desires! We want this weekend to be relaxed and stress-free. The event is in the planning stages and we hope to add a few items to the schedule soon.

Fun Surprises

We’re still dreaming up a few extra surprises—perhaps a raffle, gear swap, or blanket sale—as our crew is busy fine-tuning the details to make everything just right. By registering, you’ll be folded right into our community, and we’ll make sure to send plenty of updates and friendly reminders your way so you don’t miss a thing!

Flying in?

Nearby airports are Fernandina Beach (FHB) or Jacksonville (JAX). We’re happy to play logistics managers and accept your chemical shipments in advance so you don’t have to explain your ‘suspicious liquids’ to TSA. Just pack a small camera, tripod, and mini set of trays, and you’ll be good to go. Cardboard boxes make great darkrooms!

Park Hours

Park open 8 a.m. to sunset (365 days a year) 

Ranger station open 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

Fort open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.