NEW MUSEUM
Could Add to Ancient City’ s Reputation by Aaron London
The Fort Matanzas National Monument is one of many historic sites in St. Johns County
The reconstruction of Fort Mose will add another layer to the rich history in St. Augustine and St. Johns County. Another potential project on the horizon could be the icing on the cake.
Preliminary work is underway on a project creating the Florida Museum of Black History and St. Augustine is one of the communities being considered for the site. The project to create a museum celebrating Florida’ s Black history comes from a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May of last year and includes the selection of a nine-member Task Force appointed by DeSantis, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and House Speaker Paul Renner.
The Task Force is charged with providing recommendations for the planning, construction, operation and administration of the Museum. According to the legislation signed by DeSantis, the Museum is to be“ a multipurpose facility capable of generating selfsustaining revenues, with archival research and storage facilities, meeting rooms, a full-service banquet facility and a performing arts center.” The Task Force is required to file its final report by July 1.
Fifteen other communities across the Sunshine State – including Daytona Beach – made presentations to the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force in late 2023 to be the home of the museum.
St. Johns County Administrator Joy Andrews made the case for St. Augustine, telling Task Force members the Museum would be an important addition to the area’ s rich African-American history.
“ We are humbly before you to champion a narrative deeply woven into the very fabric of our county and our
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