The role of Lincolnville in St Augustine’s Emancipation history
In honor of Black History Month, Historic City News would like to outline St Augustine’s Emancipation history with a special focus on the Lincolnville neighborhood. Included are recommendations for lodging, restaurants, and cultural activities, provided by the St Johns Cultural Council.
Black Heritage in St Augustine
The Civil War began in 1861 and though Florida joined the Confederacy, Saint Augustine was quickly occupied by Union troops who maintained their hold throughout the war. Because of this, Saint Augustine is one of the very few places in the US where Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freed any slaves upon its release: some states outlawed slavery two and a half years later due to low Union presence and inconsistent enforcement.
Militia Muster at Fort Mose
If you live in this area, you probably know a little about the history of Fort Mose. In short, it’s known as the first Black settlement in America, founded in 1726 by freed or escaped slaves and their families, and attacked and destroyed by the English in 1740.
The Militia Muster at Fort Mose brings back the weapons drills and activities of the 18th century. It takes place at Fort Mose Historic State Park on the first Saturday of each month. And it’s free.
The Fort Mose Historic State Park is at 15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine. For information, call 904-823-2232.
When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stayed in St. Augustine in 1964, he was shuffled from house to house to maintain his safety; held strategy meetings with local civil rights leaders; and stirred crowds at churches that still exist in the city today.
He planned to use St. Augustine as a platform to bring about national change for civil rights, but became part of a movement that sought a local transformation. While the effort sparked obvious changes, officials say work still remains.
Dr. Benjamin Chavis, former leader of the NAACP and current president of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, worked for King as a youth coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He became involved when he was 14.
St. Johns County s Legislative Delegation for the Florida Legislature is scheduled to hear from dozens of speakers Friday on a wide range of topics, including mental health, infrastructure and schools.
The delegation ― made up of State Sen. Travis Hutson, delegation chair and State Rep. Cyndi Stevenson and State Rep. Paul Renner, all Republicans ― holds meetings to hear from locals about their priorities and to discuss upcoming legislative issues.
The next regular session of the Florida Legislature begins on March 2.
The Legislative Delegation meeting will take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the St. Johns County auditorium at 500 San Sebastian View in St. Augustine. While the meeting is open to the public, seating will be limited because of COVID-19.
Local organizations are working together to highlight the centuries of African American history in St. Augustine with a year-long project that kicks off at the end of the month.
The St. Augustine Archival Society recently announced the launch of Resilience: Black Heritage in St. Augustine, which it dubbed as a community project celebrating 455+ years of Black stories and contributions to our city, according to the project s website.
The project will feature special events and will highlight the efforts of multiple organizations, including Fort Mose Historical Society, the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center, Flagler College, the St. Augustine Historical Society and others.