Bill Filed to Formalize Black History Museum in St. Johns County

The proposed Florida Museum of Black History is one step closer to putting down roots in St. Augustine/St. Johns County.  Florida State Sen. Tom Leek recently filed legislation in Tallahassee to establish a board of directors for the museum set to be located on the former grounds of Florida Memorial University.

“On behalf of St. Johns County and our amazing team of partners who have worked tirelessly on this project, I want to thank Senator Leek for supporting this legislation,” said District 2 Commissioner Sarah Arnold, in a media release. “Further, I would like to express my gratitude to the entire Legislature for taking the steps to make what once was a dream into reality, moving forward with the Florida Museum of Black History being constructed in historic West Augustine.”

In addition to the cultural and historical importance of recognizing and honoring Florida’s Black history, the museum is expected to serve as a destination for tourists, creating jobs and adding to the many cultural and historical sites in St. Augustine/St. Johns County.

The legislation marks an important step forward in the process to create a museum of Black history and bring it to the region.

Howard Holley, publisher of EVOLVE News and a member of the Task Force that reviewed proposals from several communities vying to house the facility as well as a co-founder of the Foundation for the Museum of Black History, said the Foundation is ready to move forward with bringing the facility to life.

“Florida’s Black history is American history,” he said. “We’re thrilled to be bringing this vision to life while we are also aware of the journey.”

Alesia Wilbekin, executive director of the Foundation, said the organization is ready to get to work.

“We are excited to be part of creating a space that honors the powerful legacy of Black history in Florida,” she said. “This museum will be a space where history is celebrated, stories are shared and future generations are inspired to continue the work of building a more inclusive and equitable community.”

The bill, SB466, recognizes the work of the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force and the Task Force’s selection of St. Johns County as the location of the museum. The legislation also provides for the creation of the Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors, including a selection process for board members. Established within the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources, the bill directs the board to oversee the commission, construction, operation and administration of the museum. Under the terms of the legislation, the museum board is required to work jointly with the Foundation for the Museum of Black History, Inc. and the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, which will provide administrative support and staffing to the board for preconstruction activities. If passed and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the bill will take effect July 1.

The campus-style Black history museum is planned to be built on the former site of Florida Memorial University, one of the state’s oldest academic centers and a historically Black university. It is also the site of the recent relocation of the Canright House — a home where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was scheduled to stay in the 1960s before segregationists vandalized it. according to the release.

The museum board would have 13 members with three people appointed by the governor, three by the President of the Senate, two members from the State Senate, three members appointed by the Speaker of the House and two members from the House.