During the ribbon cutting ceremony, visitors were greeted by an array of 1700s-era Spanish flags lining new walkways that lead to the fort structure. Banners and signage reading“ Viva Mose,” a common refrain among Fort Mose’ s inhabitants, surrounded the park grounds.
In a video of the event prepared by St. Johns County staff, County Commissioner Christian Whitehurst spoke about the significance of the reconstruction project.
“ Today’ s the culmination of years, decades by volunteers, community stakeholders, the state of Florida and the county government to bringing what we see behind me to fruition,” Whitehurst said.“ It’ s going to really help us tell the story of significant Black history, of American history. that exists here on this property at Fort Mose.”
St. Johns County Commissioner Sarah Arnold said the completion of the reconstruction marks a new day for the park and for visitors. " This moment is so significant because we’ ve been working towards this project for so many years,” she said.“ While the museum’ s been open and kids and families have been able to come and visit the first question out of everybody’ s mouth is‘ where’ s the fort’ and so now as you can see through many partnerships with the county, with the parks foundation, we have a fort.”
Arnold said with St. Augustine’ s many historic sites and the proposed Florida Museum of Black History to be located on the former grounds of Florida Memorial University, it is even more important to celebrate the area’ s history.
“ We’ ve made it a reality and to tie in the educational opportunities with the future Black History Museum that’ s coming here, with the Lincolnville Museum we’ re able to teach people that much more about the Black history here in St. Augustine,” she said.“ St. Johns County has always been so rich in cultural history, but now to be able to celebrate African-American history as well, it’ s just one more layer of what makes us so special.”
Aaron London is Editor, EVOLVE News. He is also an adjunct professor of journalism at Daytona State College.
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