Larson said while the Senate bill confirming St. Johns County / St. Augustine as the location of the Museum did not advance in the House, county officials are confident the bill will be refiled in the next legislative session.
“ The Florida Museum of Black History Task Force selected St. Johns County as the location for the Museum,” he said.“( The Senate bill) fully implements the Task Force’ s decision. In April the Florida Senate passed SB 466 unanimously 35-0. We anticipate support for this bill will only grow stronger next session.”
Alesia Wilbekin, executive director of the Foundation for the Museum of Black History, formed to support the Museum’ s efforts, said the $ 1 million appropriation is important beyond the financial impact.“ The state funding means a couple of things,” she said,“ including official financial backing for the planning and design phase of the museum in Northeast Florida, showing lawmakers are serious about moving forward,( and) momentum and credibility, assisting the Foundation to attract additional local or private matching funds and enhancing grant funding potential as well.”
In a statement from St. Johns County government on the budget signing, county Commissioner Sarah Arnold said the funding should secure the Museum’ s location in Northeast Florida.
“ With this foundational investment, the state has affirmed St. Johns County as the rightful home for the Florida Museum of Black History,” she said in the statement.“ This project will be a meaningful and lasting tribute to the Black Floridians who have shaped our state’ s history, and I’ m honored to be part of the team bringing it to life.”
Wilbekin said the passage of the Senate bill in the
last session is encouraging and reaffirms the St. Johns County / St. Augustine location“ and it helps to avoid fragmented funding across multiple sites.”
Wilbekin said even though the legislation died in the House, the inclusion of the appropriation in budget negotiations in the Senate and House, showed ongoing support by lawmakers despite legislative delays. She said the next steps for the Foundation include fundraising and community engagement.
“ We have plans underway for each of these that we will share in the near future,” she said.“ Stay tuned.”
Aaron London is Editor, EVOLVE News. He is also an adjunct professor of journalism at Daytona State College.
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