Julia Gill Woodward
The $ 250,000 raised by the Foundation included funds from Florida State Parks, the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation, Florida Blue, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida and from St. Johns County. County officials are considering an additional $ 200,000 grant for the project.“ We are right at $ 2.6 million raised out of the $ 3 million needed,” Woodward said. The Florida State Parks Foundation was founded in
1993 and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
“ Our mission is to preserve, protect, sustain and grow our Florida state parks through fundraising, through programming and through advocacy,” Woodward said.“ One of our programming areas is support our Citizen Support Organizations.”
According to information from the Florida Park Service Citizen Support Organization Handbook,“ Citizen Support Organizations( CSOs) are some of the Division of
Recreation and Parks’ most treasured resources helping to support Florida’ s state parks, provide visitor services and protect the amazing natural and cultural resources unique to our exceptional state through volunteerism.”
Woodward said she is excited about the Fort Mose reconstruction effort.
“ I think it is a really unique project in our country and in our state,” she said.“ I think most people don’ t realize it is the first legally sanctioned free Black community in the United States. I think a lot of people in our state don’ t know that.”
Woodward said the reconstruction project,“ is going to bring that story to light in a way it was never told before.”
Aaron London is Editor, The Story of Fort Mose, EVOLVE News. He is also an adjuct professor of digital media at Daytona State College.
Supporting Fort Mose is essential to shining a light on an untold American story of freedom, courage, and perseverance. Fort Mose is the first legally sanctioned free Black community within the present boundaries of the United States. For over two centuries, Fort Mose remained unknown, but with the planned reconstruction, it’ s time to make this historical landmark known and seen. By supporting this initiative, you help bring this vital chapter of history to life by ensuring that the legacy of Fort Mose, a symbol of resilience and liberty, becomes a cherished part of our collective narrative for today and future generations.
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Join us in preserving and sharing this incredible American story!
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