Fill out a public survey supporting the Florida Black History Museum in St. Augustine
St. Johns County Commissioner Sarah Arnold said Thursday that placing the Florida Black History Museum in West Augustine would be transformational for the community and the county.
“Florida’s Black history began in St. Augustine, so it’s truly the most appropriate location to share its story,” she said.
St. Johns County is reminding residents to complete a public survey encouraging the state to select St. Augustine for the museum.
On Thursday, Arnold shared letters of support for the St. Augustine site from Florida Memorial University; Florida A&M University; the Jacksonville Aviation Authority; JaxPort; JaxUSA; City of Palm Coast; Fort Mose Historical Society; Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Makers Project; VCB; United Way; American Legion; Habitat for Humanity of St. Augustine/St. Johns County; Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church; Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church; New Mt. Moriah Christian Church; Antioch Missionary Baptist Church; and Leo C. Chase and Associates, INC.
If selected, the museum will be located at the former site of Florida Memorial University. The historically Black College was founded in St. Augustine as Florida Baptist Institute in 1879 with its first school year in 1880.
Between 1896 and 1949, the junior college went through several name changes. After merging with Florida Baptist Institute in 1950, Florida Normal and Industrial Memorial College became a four-year liberal arts school. In 1963, it garnered its final name, Florida Memorial University. In 1965, the college moved out of St Augustine because of the city’s race-related violence.
Today, Florida Memorial University is in Miami Gardens as a private, historically Black university.
Published Jan. 11, 2024
St. Johns County is urging residents to complete a public survey encouraging the State to select St. Augustine as the location for the Florida Black History Museum.
In December 2023, Florida Secretary of State, Cord Byrd issued a public survey to garner "stakeholder input" for The Florida Museum of Black History Task Force. The task force was created through legislation signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May 2023. The Department of State is distributing the survey on behalf of the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force. Click here to complete the online survey, available through Feb. 29.
In a recent press release, the county’s public affairs supervisor, Tyler Jarnagin, described the survey as a vital component for public planning and participation for the task force report.
Chair of the St. Johns County Board of Commissioners, Sarah Arnold, described the endeavor as an enormous opportunity for residents to voice their opinion.
“I encourage everyone in St. Johns County to complete the short survey and create recommendations for the Department of State to submit to the Florida Legislature,” she said.
Responses will be submitted to the Florida Legislature by July 1, 2024.
St. Johns County listed the Florida Museum of Black History as a priority in its 2024 Legislative Action Plan. The Board of County Commissioners is asking for residents to make the St. Augustine location a reality. St. Augustine’s former site for Florida Memorial University is being considered.
Arnold described the opportunity for the St. Augustine location as an honor.
“No one can tell these impactful stories the way we can,” she continued. “Fort Mose State Park and the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center, along with our powerful Civil Rights history, emphasizes how compatible the Florida Museum of Black History would be here.”
According to the county press release, the county is collaborating with Florida Memorial University; the West Augustine Community Redevelopment Area; the Accord Civil Rights Museum; the Friends of Fort Mose State Park; the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center; the City of St. Augustine; the St. Johns County Visitors and Convention Bureau; and the St. Johns Cultural Council to host the Florida Museum of Black History in St. Augustine.
Jarnagin noted that The Florida Museum of Black History Task Force is a nine-member body appointed by the governor, the speaker of the House, and the Senate president. The task force plans the location, design, construction, operation, administration and marketing of the future museum. The task force will also develop a transition plan for the museum to become financially self-supporting and recommend ideas for collections acquisition, exhibits, research, and educational materials to be used in Florida schools.
This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: Fill out a survey supporting the Black History Museum in St. Augustine
