Hill hosts Smithsonian directors at Fort Mose

In a report from Derek Boyd Hankerson, Historic City News learned that State Senator Tony Hill (D-Jacksonville) will be hosting an event with the Directors of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History and Culture at Fort Mose from 2:30-4:00p.m.

This is the second in a series of events sponsored by Senator Hill, which will continue to highlight the multicultural African-Caribbean Experience in Spanish Florida.

With the 450th and 500th Celebration approaching, Senator Hill wanted to take the lead in promoting St. Augustine and the first multicultural community; highlighting the experiences of those non-Caucasians who fought for and acquired their freedom in Spanish Florida.

Senator Hill has invited Mr. Lonnie K. Bunch, III, Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, and John Whittington Franklin, the Director of Partnerships and International Programs.

Bunch is responsible for overseeing plans for a future National Museum of African American History and Culture on a five-acre site near the Washington Monument and National Museum of American History.

Franklin is the son of the late Dr. John Hope Franklin, who is recognized as a pioneer of African-American studies and chronicler of the struggles of black Americans and America’s efforts to confront its racial legacy.

Hill recently hosted a Haitian delegation visit to “open wider” the potential for world-wide visitors.