HONORING HISTORY AND COMMUNITY THROUGH MUSICBREAKING GROUND: FORT MOSE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT ON THE CUSP OF HISTORYFORT MOSE:AMERICA’S FIRSTFREE BLACK TOWNRECONSTRUCTING THE PAST AT FORT MOSE HISTORIC STATE PARKEV LVE MAGAZINEShining a Light on SuccessSPECIAL EDITIONTHE PRIDE OF FLORIDATMINAUGURAL ISSUE
Let,s keep solvingfor communities.Florida Blue is a trade name of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Inc., an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. 118201 06241-877-352-5830FloridaBlue.comFor 80 years, Florida Blue has been dedicated to helping Floridians like you with health solutions to support a healthier life. We are a proud supporter of the Fort Mose Historic Fort Reconstruction as part of our ongoing commitment to helping people in Florida stay healthy. With our partners, we will continue to serve more than 5 million members, and countless nonmembers, in the state we love to call home.
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TABLE OFCONTENTSIn EveryIssueFeatures Florida State Parks Foundation Supports The FortReconstructing the PastBreaking Ground: Fort Mose Reconstruction Project On the Cusp of HistoryFrom the Publisher04Fort Mose: America’s First Free Black TownWest Augustine and Lincolnville: St. Augustine’s Other Black CommunitiesHistory Unveiled: Fort Mose May Be St. Augustine’s Best-Kept Historic SecretA Look at the 2024 Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series On The Cover: James Bullock portrays Captain Francisco Menendez, co-founder of Fort Mose, wearing the uniform of the St. Augustine militia. Photo credit: Lenny FosterNew Museum Could Add to Ancient City’s ReputationHonoring History and Community Through Music121418222426300832| 2 | EVOLVE MAGAZINE | Evolve-Success.com
#FPLCaresWe’re honored to support the reconstruction of historic Fort Mose. The efforts of the Florida Parks Service Foundation, Fort Mose Historical Society and other partners are an inspiration to us all.At Florida Power & Light Company we are working together with the communities we serve to make Florida an even better place to live, work and raise a family.
FORT America’s First In 1687, a group of eight men, two women and a child traveled by dugout seeking freedom from enslavement in a Carolina colony. They found it in St. Augustine. Four years later, the Spanish King Carlos II issued the first official crown position on runaway enslaved people that made their way to Spanish Florida. In the royal cedula, called ‘Cedula Real de Gracia de 1693’, the king granted “liberty to all … so that by their example and by my liberality others will do the same.”The grant of freedom, however, was not without a price. The former enslaved were required to swear an oath to the Spanish crown and convert to Catholicism. While the Spanish may have been motivated by “liberality” in recognizing the essential humanity and rights of formerly enslaved people, the policy of granting runaway enslaved people their freedom was also a political and military necessity for a nation competing for colonial lands in the New World.Initially, former enslaved people who found refuge in St. Augustine lived in the city and were put to work. The eight men in that first group became ironsmiths and waged laborers building the new stone fort that would become the Castillo do San Marcos. But because | 4 | EVOLVE MAGAZINE | Evolve-Success.com
by Aaron Londonof Florida’s strategic significance to Spain’s Caribbean colonies – and the growing influx of runaway enslaved people to Spanish Florida – the role of the former enslaved took on a greater significance.According to an article by Jane Landers in the American Historical Review in February 1990, “Spaniards depended upon Africans to be their laborers and to supplement their defenses. Black laborers and artisans helped establish St. Augustine, the first successful Spanish settlement in Florida, and a black and mulatto militia was established there as early as 1683.”For their part, the now freed enslaved people understood their expected role in Spanish Florida. In a declaration to the king, they vowed to be “the most cruel enemies of the English” and to fight to “the last drop of blood in defense of the Great Crown of Spain and the Holy Faith,” according to Landers’ article.As British colonization in North America grew and tensions between England and Spain over colonial THE STORY OF FORT MOSE | 5 |
ambitions increased, Spanish officials in Florida looked for ways to protect their settlements. In 1737, Manuel de Montiano became governor in St. Augustine; the next year he established a new town two miles north of the city called Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose. The name, according to Landers, was a composite of an existing Native American place name, Mose, with the addition of language commemorating its establishment by the Spanish Crown, Gracia Real, and the name of the town’s patron saint, St. Teresa of Aviles.Thus was born Fort Mose, the first legally sanctioned free Black community within the present boundaries of the United States.The new town was established as a buffer against foreign encroachment, specifically the British to the north. According to later British reports, the fort was constructed of wood “four square with a flanker at each corner, banked with earth, having a ditch without on all sides lined round with prickly royal and had a well and housing within a lookout.”Fort Mose was soon put to the test in 1740 when tensions among Europe’s Great Powers erupted into conflict.With Britain and Spain at war, a force under British Gov. James Oglethorpe raided Florida and threatened St. Augustine - the battle of Bloody Mose. During the British attack, Fort Mose was captured, but all its inhabitants reached the safety of the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, as Governor Montiano ordered its evacuation prior to the battle. Oglethorpe’s forces were eventually defeated, but Fort Mose was badly damaged in the battle and was abandoned for a dozen years.In 1752, the fort was rebuilt and remained an active part of the defense of St. Augustine until 1763, when it was abandoned at the end of the Seven Years’ War between the Great Powers of Europe. In North America, it was known as the French and Indian War and was part of the struggle between France and Great Britain for colonial ascendency in the New World.The reconstructed fort became part of a defensive perimeter built by the Spanish that extended from Mose southwest to a stockade on the banks of the San Sebastian River. The second fort was a three-sided structure equipped with two 4-pound canons and six swivel guns, according to a 1993 article in The Florida Anthropologist by Bruce Piatek, a former director of the Florida Agricultural Museum in Flagler County, and Carl D. Halbirt entitled “The Stratigraphy of the Mose Line: St. Augustine’s Last Line of Defense.” The unprotected side of the fort faced what is now called Robinson Creek.The inhabitants of Fort Mose, along with the Spanish settlers in Florida, fled to Cuba, with many settling in | 6 | EVOLVE MAGAZINE | Evolve-Success.com
the province of Matanzas. The fort was refurbished by the British in 1784. It was destroyed and abandoned in 1812 after a failed attempt by a group of Americans who called themselves the Florida Patriots to seize the peninsula for the United States. For more than 150 years, Fort Mose disappeared from memory until the site was rediscovered through the efforts of legislators, scientists and historians, according to Kathleen Deagan and Darcie MacMahon in their book “Fort Mose: Colonial America’s Black Fortress of Freedom.”Deagan, with the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida, led the research project and uncovered a wide range of detailed information about the fort.Landers conducted the primary historical research and was also involved in the work uncovering the lost fort, using old documents and maps in the colonial archives of Spain, Florida, Cuba and South Carolina.But historical maps were not enough to determine where the long-vanished fort had been, according to Deagan and MacMahon.“Historical documents were combined with space age technology to determine the location of Fort Mose,” they said. The location of the first fort now lies at the bottom of a salt marsh, but thermal imaging was used to discover the small square structure of the fort. The second fort was found using aerial photographs, old maps and archaeological remains, Deagan and MacMahon said. The discovery of the location allowed for an archaeological excavation of the site, which has uncovered a wealth of data about the fort and its inhabitants.Aaron London is Editor, The Story of Fort Mose. He is also Editor, EVOLVE News.“The Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources is excited to see reconstruction begin on Fort Mose. This project celebrates the history of the first legally-sanctioned free Black community in the United States, which served as a gateway to freedom for people escaping slavery. We are proud to support this effort through our African American Cultural and Historical Grant and we eagerly await its completion when it will serve as a lasting reminder of Florida’s important role in American history.”– Florida Secretary of State Cord ByrdTHE STORY OF FORT MOSE | 7 |
SJC CULTURAL Honoring History and CoWhat is a cultural event? Is it a concert? A dance performance? Perhaps a food festival or a guided tour through historic streets? The answer lies in its purpose – does it celebrate a community’s cultural identity? Its arts, its food, its traditions, its history – the characteristics that make a community vibrant and unique. SJC Cultural Events, Inc., the 501c3 organization that operates the award-winning St. Augustine Amphitheatre, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, Sing Out Loud Festival, and Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series is committed to fostering cultural appreciation and honoring cultural heritage within St. Johns County through authentic cultural events. Founded on the core values of community, authenticity, excellence, integrity, innovation, sustainability, and collaboration, SJCCE is | 8 | EVOLVE MAGAZINE | Evolve-Success.com
by Dianya Markovitssteadfast in delivering entertaining, educational, and community-tailored events to support, enhance and expand appreciation for the arts. The genesis of the Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series lies within these core values and commitment. Years before the first Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series concert in 2022, the idea for the series was born. From a history lesson came an idea. From conversations came a plan. From a plan came a concert series. An immersive music series that honored history and celebrated the cultural significance of one of the most pivotal events in the history of the United States – the legacy of Fort Mose Historic State Park.Fort Mose Historic State Park is the site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the United States. Over 300 years THE STORY OF FORT MOSE | 9 |
ago, 11 brave men and women with a nursing child risked their lives to escape enslavement in British-controlled colonies to seek refuge in Spanish Florida, where they were granted liberty in 1693. By 1738, around 100 freedom seekers had made the perilous journey southward to St. Augustine, crossing swamps and dense tropical forests on foot and by boat. A fortified town was constructed, and Fort Mose became America’s First Site of Freedom. Fast forward to 2022. The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra is playing “One O’Clock Jump” to a captivated audience under the stars, among the centuries-old oak trees, on the historic site of Fort Mose. This is the Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series – the cultural event series at the intersection of history, music, and education. The concept, developed by SJCCE and the Fort Mose Historical Society, was to create an immersive jazz and blues series, genres with deep historical roots, on the grounds of the historic state park to bring awareness to the Fort Mose story. Over 13,000 people have come to the park to see icons of blues and jazz such as Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Keb’ Mo’, Gladys Knight, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Mavis Staples and more. Most of these attendees have never been to Fort Mose, the same for the artists that play the series. They’ve never walked its grounds, read the stories of the brave Freedom Seekers, understood the historical significance of this sacred site. Artists and music fans are truly moved by the fully immersive experience. While the series has brought awareness to the site, it has also generated funds for the Fort Mose Historical Society’s ambitious goal of reconstructing the 1738 fort. During the Battle of Bloody Mose in 1740, the | 10 | EVOLVE MAGAZINE | Evolve-Success.com
1738 fort was badly damaged and subsequently abandoned, leaving its remains to be swallowed by the marsh over time. It was not until the 1980s that the site was uncovered and authenticated by a team of archaeologists and researchers, led by Drs. Kathleen Deagan and Jane Landers. In the mid-1990s, the Fort Mose Historical Society was founded and set a goal to tell the Fort Mose story at the Fort Mose Historic State Park. In 2012, an ambitious fundraising campaign to reconstruct the 1738 fort was launched. The Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series has raised over $130,000 through tickets sales to go towards this critical reconstruction project. The Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series exemplifies the power of merging history, music, and community – a blueprint for live events whose goal is to foster an appreciation of cultural heritage. By bringing history to life through music, SJCCE not only honors the legacy of Fort Mose but also educates and inspires. This celebration of culture and community is a testament to the enduring impact of Fort Mose’s history and the commitment of SJCCE to preserve and promote the rich tapestry of St. Johns County’s cultural heritage.SJCCE is proud to curate and produce cultural events that aren’t just about entertainment; they’re about playing a role in building a vibrant community by celebrating its unique cultural identity and fostering a deeper appreciation for its heritage.Dianya Markovits, Director of Public Relations at SJC Cultural Events, Inc, brings a deep appreciation for music and interconnectedness to all aspects of the human experience. Music’s ability to convey emotion, spark conversation, and inspire change has always been fascinating to her.Life. You live it, we’llprotect it.Offering employee benefits,individual health insurance,and financial solutions inNortheast Florida since 1954.The Bailey Groupis a proud partner of Fort Mose Historical Society and the1738 Fort Mose HistoricReconstruction Project904-461-1800 | mbaileygroup.comTHE STORY OF FORT MOSE | 11 |
RECONSTRUCTING the Pastby Aaron LondonHow do you build a replica of an 18th-century fort with no historical plans or detailed descriptions? With a lot of research and a sense of history.According to a Florida Park Service report on the Fort Mose reconstruction project, “Since no exact description of the original fort survives, this structure is not an exact replica. Rather, it shall serve as an interpretative aid for visitors and re-enactors to better understand this period of history and to engage with the story of the free black community at Fort Mose.”The edifice will be a 2,500-square-foot structure “built in the style of an 18th-century Spanish colonial outpost,” according to the Office of Park Planning 2022 amendment. The design is “inspired by the original 1738 Fort Mose and akin to other outposts built by the Spanish across northeastern Florida during that time.”at Fort Mose Historic State Park| 12 | EVOLVE MAGAZINE | Evolve-Success.com
According to information from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Fort Mose reconstruction project was developed based on the historical information available and the input of key historical experts. “The reconstruction of Fort Mose is an interpretation of the forts that previously existed in the area in the 1700s,” the agency said.To build the structure, a private engineering company was hired “to use the inferred historical framework to develop the plans for this construction project. Interpretation of the original fort(s) includes wood palisades, wooden walls and ceilings and dirt flooring,” the DEP said. “To create a more enduring structure, concrete designed to carry the appearance of wood and dirt will be used in many locations.”The plan to reconstruct the original fort was not the only concept considered for the Fort Mose project. One option that was rejected was superimposed etched-glass imaging that showed a likeness of the fort. Because of the activities at Fort Mose Historic State Park, including historical re-enactments and other events, state planners decided “a physically occupiable interpretative space was deemed more ideal than twodimensional imagery.”The proposed design of the reconstructed fort includes the strategic placement of gaps in the bastion wall surrounding the structure to give park visitors a clearer view of re-enactments and other events at the site. In addition, the gaps are designed to serve as “snapshots in time,” according to the planning document, “mimicking damage sustained during the siege by the British” and providing interpretative resources for telling the Fort Mose story.The plans also call for interior and exterior spaces in the reconstructed fort appropriate for interpretative activities and display of supplemental materials with storage space designed to complement the historical aesthetic of the site. The reconstructed fort will also be ADA-compliant.The planning document also included an examination of the potential impact the reconstruction project would have on the park grounds to ensure construction would not affect archaeologically sensitive areas.“The structure’s footprint lies within a 1.33-acre site of previous disturbance and development not classified as any natural community recognized by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory,” the report said. “This developed area is adjacent to maritime hammock and salt marsh. Given the disturbed character of the vegetation present at the proposed site, no negative impact to natural communities is foreseen.”Groundbreaking for the reconstruction is scheduled to take place in 2024.“In conjunction with the Florida State Parks Foundation, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation and Parks hopes to create a unique and timeless park that illustrates and educates visitors about our state’s cultural history while mixing in authentic charm,” the DEP said. Aaron London is Editor, The Pride of Florida. He is also an adjunct professor of digital media at Daytona State College.THE STORY OF FORT MOSE | 13 |
Florida State Parks FoundationSUPPORTS THE FORTby Aaron LondonThe dream to reconstruct the original structure at Fort Mose requires a little blood, sweat, toil and tears – and a lot of money. Leading the way in the fundraising effort for the project is the Florida State Parks Foundation.The Fort Mose Historical Society set a goal to reconstruct the fort in the mid-1990s, but the program really took off in 2022 with a nearly $1 million grant from the Florida African American Cultural and Historical Grants Program. And that happened with the help of the Foundation.“We met the Fort Mose Historical Society at a 2019 statewide conference,” said Julia Gill Woodward, Florida State Parks Foundation CEO, “where we first heard about their dream of having the original 1738 fort reconstructed.”Woodward said the Foundation saw the commitment Historical Society members brought to the project and decided to lend a fundraising hand.“We were so inspired by their determination, passion and commitment we started partnering up with them to find grant applications applicable to the project,” she said. “In the fall of 2021 we found what we felt was the perfect match grant in African American cultural heritage grants.”Woodward said the Foundation applied for the competitive grant in coordination with Fort Mose Historic State Park and the Fort Mose Historical Society.“For part of the grant we had to raise matching funds,” she said. | 14 | EVOLVE MAGAZINE | Evolve-Success.com
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.Julia Gill WoodwardSCAN HERE TO VIEW THESTORY OF FORT MOSE MAGAZINEevolve-success.com/special-editionsSUPPORT FORT MOSESupporting 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.Join us in preserving and sharing this incredibleAmerican story! SCAN HERE TOSUPPORT THE FORTevolve-success.com/support-the-fortTHE STORY OF FORT MOSE | 15 |
1 7 3 8The St. Augustine AmphitheatreJacksonville Jaguars FoundationFlorida State ParksFlorida Department of StateSt. Johns CountyDelores Barr Weaver FundAnonymousPLATINUMFort Mose Historical SocietyLastinger Family FoundationFlorida Power & LightThe Bailey GroupGOLDThe Community Foundationfor Northeast FloridaFlorida BlueNorthrup GrummanSILVERPRESERVE. PROTECT. EDUCATE. ADVOCATE.
January 19, 2024, will go down in St. Augustine’s modern history as a momentous day decades in the making. Dignitaries, including journalists, historians, archaeologists and the like, came together beneath a tent and mist-laden skies to commemorate a groundbreaking and ribbon cutting at Fort Mose - the first legally sanctioned free Black settlement in what is now the United States. From 1687 to 1763, the formerly enslaved Africans who journeyed some 377 miles enjoyed freedom. But after Spain ceded all of La Florida to England in 1763, the residents of Fort Mose once again faced enslavement. The fort gradually succumbed to the Florida marsh, and the accompanying legacy of those courageous Africans fell into relative obscurity, its story often left untold. Some of this obscurity can be tied to a language barrier. Vanderbilt University professor of history - Dr. Jean Landers* was present for the groundbreaking. She shared this insight: “All the [source] material is in Spanish.” So, the added step of translation may have contributed to limited notoriety until now. With the help of Dr. Landers’ efforts, the story of Fort Mose has been published in college textbooks.The existing Fort Mose museum, currently situated near St. Augustine’s city gates, has long been the site of many field trips and touristic visits. But now, at long last, visitors will no longer depart from Fort Mose asking, “Where is the fort?” A tribute to the freedom seekers will be built - joining the likes of Fort BREAKING GR Fort Mose Reconstruction Project Onby Teddy | 18 | EVOLVE MAGAZINE | Evolve-Success.com
Matanzas, the Castillo de San Marcos monument and scores of historic sites present in the state of Florida.A sense of alignment, harmony and serendipity permeated the air on January 19. As Charles Ellis - founding member and president of the Fort Mose Historical Society, pointed out from the podium, “18 years ago, [...] we broke ground for the museum, and it’s ironic that here we are…today…in [the] process of breaking ground for another monument.” Decked out in full 18th-century military regalia, Ellis went on to emphatically remind those in attendance that “this groundbreaking is a story that needs to be told.” He harkened back to the late Otis Mason, who once also served as president of the Fort Mose Historical Society. The former superintendent of St. Johns County schools was among those who had a fervent desire to see the story of the courageous men and women who underwent a most perilous journey - zealous for a return to freedom no matter the consequences. Ellis reviewed some of the developments that have helped the reconstruction project come so far. In 2012, the historical society conducted a planning and brainstorming session in which architectural renderings were drafted. Then came a number of fundraising initiatives with the help of grants and local business sponsors. Many of those sponsors came to honor the groundbreaking event. The historical society fostered key partnerships with the Florida Park Foundation, the local amphitheater and County Commissioners. HistoryFort Mose is more than the building. Fort Mose represents the people…a diverse group of men, women and children who came to this place to carve a life for themselves out ofthis wilderness.-Alma Melvin, Fort Mose HistoricalSociety Re-enactorTHE STORY OF FORT MOSE | 19 |
Also on hand for the tribute was distinguished research curator of archaeology and adjunct professor of anthropology and history at UF’s Florida Museum of Natural History - Kathleen Deagan. Since 1972, she has performed excavations in St. Augustine. Her work included the critical identification of Fort Mose itself. While addressing the audience, Deagan shared the account of Florida legislator Bill Clark’s visit to St. Augustine, during which time he learned about Fort Mose. “He became really intrigued, and we got in touch and began talking…that was the genesis of some of the archaeology that was done, and we were able, through the University of Florida, to work on the site for several seasons,” Deagan explained. She went on to acknowledge the work of Darcie McMahon (also on hand for the groundbreaking), who is director of exhibits and public programs at the Florida Museum of Natural History. McMahon oversaw an exhibit called “Colonial America’s Black Fortress of Freedom.” Deagan shared that it toured for 11 years and was likely seen by upwards of one million people. She went on to relate that “curiously, it still didn’t enter into the popular consciousness” in terms of what many consider to be American History. “I think what we’re doing here today is the thing that will bring that into the much more public popular broad context of American history.”We opened today with a quote from historical society re-enactor Alma Melvin. She had much insight to share from the podium, donning a house dress and bonnet. Melvin took care to | 20 | EVOLVE MAGAZINE | Evolve-Success.com
shine a light on the women of Fort Mose, who played a vital role in the story. As she reminded the crowd, “the courageous women, the women that struggled to get here…had to till the land…plant the harvest…raise the children and cook and clean...they made a home.”The January 19 groundbreaking was ahead of a slew of events, including a vibrant jazz and blues series. From February 8-17, performers including Common, Wynton Marsalis and The New Jazz Underground took the stage. February also featured a signature event called the “Flight to Freedom” re-enactment. This three-day festival at Fort Mose State Park takes thousands of visitors on immersive guided tours of the Flight to Freedom Trails led by reenactors. The stirring account of the freedom seekers’ perilous journey from enslavement on the Carolina plantations to freedom in Spanish Florida leaves a memorable mark on attendees. With the forthcoming addition of the reconstructed fort, we can expect an increase in average visitors. As mist around Fort Mose began to dissipate on the morning of January 19, the event closed with the re-enactment of a cannon firing. The militia muster stood poised in their blue and red militia gear. After following the proper orders, those in attendance were warned to cover their ears. Just like that, the tribute went out with a resounding bang - one that will ring out and echo perpetually in heart and mind. Teddy Regis holds degrees in English and Communication from Flagler College. He has worked as a sign language interpreter for seven years.THE STORY OF FORT MOSE | 21 |
NEW MUSEUMCould Add to Ancient City’s ReputationThe 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 by Aaron London The Fort Matanzas National Monument is one of many historic sites in St. Johns County| 22 | EVOLVE MAGAZINE | Evolve-Success.com
state of Florida’s identity,” she said. “The profound and enduring tapestry of Black history in the region of the First Coast and St. Augustine is a cornerstone of our history and our story.”Greg White, president of the West Augustine Historical Community Development Corp., also spoke on behalf of St. Augustine’s bid, along with Thomas Jackson, president of the St. Augustine Historical Society.“We have so much rich history here,” Jackson said. “We have the place where the Black history museum naturally should be.”Tera Meeks, St. Johns County Tourism and Cultural Development Director, said the Florida Museum of Black History would be “a near seamless fit in St. Johns County” and the St. Augustine location “would certainly provide a cohesive, central location to tie together the many Black history stories and experiences the greater area has to offer.”St. Johns County Commission Chair Sarah Arnold told the Task Force the county is fully behind the effort to bring the Museum to St. Augustine.“Our board is in full support of this project and is committed to any and all resources to make this happen,” she said.The Florida Memorial University property in St. Augustine was identified as a possible location for the Museum. Florida Memorial College, now operating in south Florida, has sent a letter expressing interest in enabling the sale of some of the land it still owns in St. Augustine for the Museum. The effort to locate the museum in St. Augustine has also gained significant local and regional support which includes the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, JAXPORT, the city of Palm Coast and the City of Jacksonville. To learn more about the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force visit their site - dos.fl.gov/historical/museums/blackhistorytaskforce.Aaron London is Editor, The Story of Fort Mose, EVOLVE News. He is also an adjuct professor of digital media at Daytona State College.THE STORY OF FORT MOSE | 23 |
FORT MOSE JAZZ From the first note of the Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series to the final bow, artists and attendees know they aren’t at just a concert; they’re at a profound moment in time. A shared experience where history, music and community align on sacred ground. The Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series materialized through collaboration among SJC Cultural Events, Inc., the 501(c)(3) organization that operates the awardwinning St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall; the Fort Mose Historical Society; and the Florida State Parks Foundation. The mission of the series, launched in 2022, is to create an immersive experience that weaves the vibrant sounds of jazz and blues music together with the rich history of Fort Mose, the first legally sanctioned free Black settlement in what is now the United States - bringing artists and music enthusiasts to Fort Mose where they walk the grounds that brave men and women made their home nearly 300 years ago and sharing the story of Fort Mose and collectively celebrate the triumph of the human spirit through music. Now, for two weekends every February, the sound of jazz and blues echoes throughout Fort Mose Historic State Park. Iconic musicians perform under centuries-old oak trees while genre aficionados hang on every note. The experience is both unforgettable and transformative. A look at the 2024| 24 | EVOLVE MAGAZINE | Evolve-Success.com
by Dianya MarkovitsThousands of music enthusiasts travel from across the United States to experience the rich legacy of jazz and blues artistry on the historic grounds. In its first year, over 3,000 people attended the series. In 2023, attendance grew to 4,200 people. This year, over 6,200 people came from 41 states and Canada. The lineups have featured genre luminaries such as the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, Mavis Staples, Gladys Knight, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Gregory Porter and more, along with burgeoning stars Tank and the Bangas and Amythyst Kiah. For the 3rd Annual Jazz and Blues Series this past February, the lineup featured outstanding performances by internationally renowned jazz and blues heavyweights. The three-time Grammy award-winning lyrist Common opened the series on Thursday, February 8. Drawing inspiration from his surroundings, Common kept the audience on their feet as he reflected on history, humanity, empowerment and positivity. Friday, February 9, was electric with the infectious rhythms of the venerable New Orleans-based Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Trumpets blared and trombones wailed while the rhythm section kept a steady beat, driving the songs forward with infinite energy. Under the stars, the crowd danced, cheered and celebrated the timeless beauty of Crescent City jazz. On Saturday, February 10, the legendary Wynton Marsalis and his 13-member Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra THE STORY OF FORT MOSE | 25 |
played a sold-out show, stunning the audience with their sheer mastery of the art form. The musicians, handpicked by Marsalis himself, demonstrated their virtuosity, effortlessly navigating complex arrangements and improvisational passages with finesse and flair. The performance commanded the audience’s full attention – the only sound after each song was that of resounding applause. The following Friday, the series welcomed the return of 25-year-old Grammy and seven-time Blues Music Award winner Christone “Kingfish” Ingram to Fort Mose. The guitar prodigy delivered a blistering blues set and invited special guest 14-year-old Taj Farrant to Wynton Marsalis and his 13-memberJazz at Lincoln Center OrchestraChristone “Kingfish” IngramCommon opened the series onThursday, February 82023 Preservation Hall Jazz Band| 26 | EVOLVE MAGAZINE | Evolve-Success.com
share in the evening’s glory. Capping the series on Saturday, February 17, was the incomparable eight-time Grammy award-winning blues musician Keb’ Mo.’ Due to rain, the performance had to relocate from Fort Mose to the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, but that didn’t dampen the spirit of the sold-out show. Special guest Nicole Henry set the tone for the evening with her captivating vocal prowess and stage presence. Keb’ Mo’s soulful voice and masterful guitar playing came together in a tapestry of blues, folk, jazz and Americana influences. He stirred souls with his heartfelt ballads, rousing blues numbers and uplifting anthems. It was an exceptional finale to the five nights of outstanding artistry. The Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series is a testament to the power of music. Over the course of three years, the series has not only brought renowned artists and their fans together to celebrate the vibrant legacy of jazz and blues at the historic state park, but it has also raised over $115,000 for the Fort Mose Historical Society through ticket sales. These funds support the Society’s ongoing mission of honoring the courageous freedom seekers who founded Fort Mose in 1738 by preserving the site’s rich history and reconstructing the historic 1738 fort. After years of fundraising, the Fort Mose Historical Society, in partnership with the Florida State Parks Foundation, achieved a major milestone on January 19 when they broke ground on the fort’s reconstruction site. As the reconstruction of the fort commences, SJC Cultural Events, Inc. and the Fort Mose Historical Society eagerly anticipate the continuation of this cultural journey, inviting fans to immerse themselves in both the music and the storied grounds at next year’s series. Dianya Markovits, Director of Public Relations at SJC Cultural Events, Inc, brings a deep appreciation for music and interconnectedness to all aspects of the human experience. Music’s ability to convey emotion, spark conversation, and inspire change has always been fascinating to her.THE STORY OF FORT MOSE | 27 |
HISTORY UNVEILED: Fort Mose May Be St. Augustine’s Best-Kept Historic Secret by Seraine Page It’s safe to say St. Augustine has quite a storied past. While the area may be best known as America’s oldest city, just as fascinating are some of the lesser-known historic sites — like Fort Mose. The site — just two miles north of St. Augustine — is where the first legally sanctioned free African settlement was established by the Spanish governor, Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, as a haven for escaped slaves. “St. Augustine is known for its rich history and amazing historical sites, but Fort Mose stands alone due to the nature of its story and the people who traveled and lived there,” says Julia Gill Woodward, chief executive officer of Florida State Parks Foundation. “It’s amazing to think that, more than a century before the American Civil War, an “underground railroad” originally traveled south to St. Augustine. We believe Fort Mose is America’s first site of freedom, and it’s right there in St. Augustine, just a short distance from the Castillo de San Marcos.”Over 250 years ago, enslaved Africans escaped the Carolinas and other nearby states because they heard about Fort Mose and the freedoms that came with it. Once arrived, the slaves were Julia Gill Woodward| 28 | EVOLVE MAGAZINE | Evolve-Success.com
baptized and contributed to the community in exchange for their freedom. The first arrivals came in 1687; by 1738, the group had reached more than 100 individuals. “Fort Mose is unique,” says Charles A. Tingley, research historian at the St. Augustine Historical Society. “This was officially recognized by the government — the Spanish crown — that free Africans could have their own town and their own destinies.”Because of its national significance in history, the 40-acre waterfront historic site has received several accolades and designations over the years as America’s Black colonial fortress of freedom. Getting to that point, though, took a lot of digging and unearthing as the original fort sunk into marshland.Between 1986 and 1988, Dr. Kathleen Deagan of the Florida Museum of Natural History and her team initiated an archaeological and historical investigation at the site. What they uncovered led to a further understanding of how African Americans influenced Southern communities. It was when Dr. Deagan’s team started doing research that the significance of the fort was uncovered and documented. In 1995, the fort received designation as a National Historic Landmark. The designation requires six criteria and an ability to convey a site’s historical associations to be nominated and named as such. Another prominent honor includes the fort’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. This honor was pushed for by the state park and Fort Mose Historical Society to recognize that the Underground Railroad went further than most people ever knew about, Tingley says. Presently, the fort is undergoing a reconstruction effort that started in 2012. Thanks to a $933,000 grant through the Florida Department of State’s Florida African-American Cultural & Historical Grant Opportunity and other generous community partners, the reconstruction project kicked off this year. Slated for completion by late 2024, the site will include a new fort and reenactments from the era. Tingley believes the reconstruction of the 1738 fort will be exciting for the community but mainly for one particular age group.“Reconstructions are exciting, especially for children,” says Tingley. “We hope that seeing a full-scale blockhouse of Fort Mose will excite somebody to delve further into the real history. If that makes one kid enthusiastic about history, that’s a good thing.”The mystery of where the fort stands won’t be one visitors will have to ask for anymore, says Fort Mose Historic Society President Charles Ellis. “We love hosting visitors at Fort Mose Historic State Park, but people are always asking, ‘So, where is the fort?’” stated Ellis in a recent press release. “Fort Mose has one of the most inspiring and fascinating stories in our nation’s history, and having this reconstruction on site will help us to share it in a fresh, comprehensive way. We can’t wait to see it finished.” Fort Mose Awards & DesignationsHere’s a look at the long list of honors and designations Fort Mose has as of 2024: • Site of Memory, UNESCO Slave Route Project• Designation: National Historic Landmark• Designation: National Register for Historic Places• National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom• Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor• Florida African American History Trail• Recipient, 2020 Herschel E. Shepard Award for Historic Preservation, St. Augustine Historical Society• Citizen Support Organization of the Year for Historic Resources, FL State ParksSeraine Page is a four-time award-winning journalist who writes for the health, wellness and business industries. As a serial entrepreneur herself, she’s passionate about putting a spotlight on successful businesses through her writing. She lives with her husband, son and hefty chiweenie in Saint Johns, Florida. Charles A. TingleyTHE STORY OF FORT MOSE | 29 |
WEST AUGUSTINE AND LINCOLNVILLE:St. Augustine’s Other Black Communitiesby Teddy RegisIf you, dear reader, are consuming this article in St. Johns County, perhaps you are simultaneously subject to the sights and sounds of concrete mixers, nail guns and saws. More than likely, a new home, apartment complex or store is being built within a stone’s throw of you - or decorating your daily commute. Without question, St. Johns County is experiencing an expansion, a transformation. Projects proliferate left and right. But today, we’re going to zoom in on the development of two specific, storied parts of our culturally rich city - namely, Lincolnville and West Augustine. Greg White served as director of West Augustine’s Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) for about 17 years. “The birth of the CRA would be the mechanism that has actually moved the needle to improve historic West Augustine,” says White. Established in the year 2000, the CRA drills down on various components of improvement for West Augustine. These include affordable housing, infrastructure improvement, economic development and the curating of activities. There was a time in recent history when there was no guarantee that West Augustine residents would have access to running water. After partnering with the City of St. Augustine at the turn of the 21st century, about 97% of West Augustine residents currently enjoy access to that utility.White is now founder of the West Augustine Historical Community Development Corp (WAHCDC). Board members often organize events that unite the community. They have partnered with the likes of Flagler Hospital, The Bailey Group and The Solomon Calhoun Center with a view to improving the quality The Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center is located in the historic Excelsior School building, built in 1925| 30 | EVOLVE MAGAZINE | Evolve-Success.com
of life in West Augustine. “We are currently working on a medical complex,” shares White. They were able to secure $5 million from St. Johns County to build the 14,000-square-foot complex. The builder, architect and engineers for the project are in place, and the design phase is now underway. Epic Behavioral Health will also have a presence at the facility to provide services for those dealing with substance abuse and mental health challenges.A Putnam County native, White grew up fishing and swimming almost daily with his brother, John. By his teens, he was living in St. Augustine. White remembers marching from Murray High School (now Murray Middle School) to the slave market, which is now known as the Plaza de la Constitución. “My heart would race like it was going to come out of my chest,” White recalls. He felt like a grain of sand among the vastness of the Civil Rights movement. During those fateful marches, he sang a freedom song called “We Shall Overcome” along with his peers. He sang in part:We’ll walk hand in handWe shall live in peace.St. Augustine was truly a small town in those days. The older generation risked losing their livelihood if they were seen marching with the young ones. During the marches, adults gathered in the teachers’ lounge at Murray High School to pray on behalf of the youth activists while they strode to the slave market. Lincolnville is a stone’s throw from the edge of West Augustine. The Freedman’s Town began to be settled in 1866 by returning Civil War veterans and their families. It was the center of many demonstrations that eventually led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Lincolnville was home to such figures of note as entrepreneur Frank Butler, Dr. Adolphus Gordon and Dr. Thomas G. Freeland. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. himself and representatives of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference spent time in Lincolnville during the 1960s to hold strategic meetings with Dr. Robert Hayling - an activist who took the lead during the local Civil Rights Movement. Hayling marched shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Andrew Young, Barbara Vickers and the St. Augustine Foot Soldiers. He also served the community by running a dental practice at 79 Bridge Street. Gayle Phillips is executive director of the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center. She grew up in rural Mandarin, north of St. Augustine. “As a child, we visited Butler Beach (the Black Beach), crabbed in the Guana River and pulled oysters from the San Sebastián,” she shares with EVOLVE Magazine. After settling into St. Johns County and a brief stint in Alabama, Phillips and her husband returned to St. Augustine in 2010. Her first visit to the formerly-named Excelsior Museum was in 2015. “I saw a place with a lot of character and history but in need of help. I actually said out loud, ‘Wow, this place needs help! What can I do?’” And so began Phillips’ journey of pivotal storytelling and restoration - which led her to her current role as museum director.It is not lost on the St. Augustine community that Lincolnville has been touched by the double-edged sword of gentrification. Still, Phillips acknowledges that “most of the long-term residents still attend community events and work to help preserve the legacy of Lincolnville as a heritage community.” For example, the Lincolnville CRA has secured institutional loans that fund emergency home repairs and the preservation of historic Black churches. On the one hand, increased property values have come with welcome funding for community reinvestment. Meanwhile, it is ironically becoming more difficult for young Black families to move to the area.The Lincolnville Museum shines a light on 500 years of the African American presence not only in St. Augustine but also in the United States at large. The museum recently enjoyed a new designation as it joined the National Park Service African American Civil Rights Network. They will soon file for inclusion in the Reconstruction Era Heritage Trail. Such affiliations will advance the proliferation of Lincolnville’s story before audiences of state, regional and national historic leadership entities. The face of St. Augustine is dynamically changing before our very eyes. The efforts of Gregory White, Gayle Phillips and their colleagues will help ensure that our beautiful city does not slip into an unrecognizable state. May its original fabric - its original color - forever remain part of the modern tapestry and that which is yet future. Teddy Regis holds degrees in English and Communication from Flagler College. He has worked as a sign language interpreter for seven years.Greg WhiteTHE STORY OF FORT MOSE | 31 |
Many an achievement of the Black race, glorious, great and grand, instead of being compiled in the annals of the people, instead of being woven in the story and song, instead of being talked on in the family circle and held up before the admiring eyes of our children, sleeps quietly in the grave of oblivion.” These words were written by a journalist for the New York Globe in 1886 over 138 years ago. Fort Mose was an “unknown story” from 1763 until 1986 when archaeologist Dr. Kathleen Deagan identified the site. Though the Fort Mose Museum opened in 1996, the fort has remained “unseen” until early 2025 when the opening of the reconstructed fort is planned. Barbara and I, as well as our TouchPoint team members, are proud to have had the opportunity to partner with St. Johns County, SJC Cultural Events, Florida State Parks Foundation and Fort Mose Historical Society to help tell this “untold” story of courage, freedom and perseverance. In addition to this “Inaugural Edition” of The Pride of Florida – The Story of Fort Mose, we also published two digital editions with two others planned for August, 2024 and post Grand Opening. If you would like to read either of these digital editions, please scan the below QR Code or go to our website Evolve-Success.com/Special Editions/. The digital editions are free. Over the decades, volunteers have spent many hours telling the Fort Mose story through reenactments and hosting cultural events over the years. Many people and organizations have also contributed to the reconstruction of the Fort. Please add your voice to telling this “untold story”. The Story of Fort Mose deserves to be told because it is a true American story of Courage, Freedom and Perseverance.FROM THE PUBLISHERSHOWARD M. HOLLEYCEO and Co-PublisherAll rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without the express written consent of the publisher. TouchPoint Innovative Solutions assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.© 2024 TouchPoint Innovative Solutions. All rights reserved.THE STORY OF FORT MOSEis published byPUBLISHERSDr. Barbara C. HolleyHoward M. HolleyEDITORAaron LondonART DIRECTORLeslie ProctorMANAGING EDITORDr. Beverly WolfeDIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTYvette AllemanCHIEF CONTENT OFFICERElesha MavrommatisCHIEF OPERATING OFFICERJeanne CoatesDR. BARBARA C. HOLLEYPresident & Co-PublisherScan the QR code above to access additional contentor visit Evolve-Success.com.CONTACT [email protected] STORYOFScan the QR code to accessTHE PRIDE OF FLORIDA digital or visitEvolve-Success.com/special-editions.a special edition of“| 32 | EVOLVE MAGAZINE | Evolve-Success.com
e are excited to witness and be a part of the reconstruction of Fort Mose in St. Augustine, Florida honoring the first free Black settlement in the United States, established in 1738.This milestone, spearheaded by the Fort Mose Historical Society, Florida State Park Service and the Florida State Parks Foundation, with the support of St. Johns County, revives a vital part of our heritage and commemorates over 400 years of Black history.Visit Fort Mose to explore this historic site and join in celebrating a legacy of freedom and resilience. ∫∫Commemorating Over 400 Years of Black HistoryW∫∫