Upcoming Florida Living History events

Florida Living History updated Historic City News with an invitation for our readers to enjoy the living history activities of their member groups during the month of September.

Florida Living History, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating the public about Florida’s colonial and territorial history, from the time of Don Juan Ponce de León’s first landing in 1513 to the time of Florida’s statehood in 1845, using living history programs, demonstrations, and re-created portrayals of significant historical events.

Upcoming Florida Living History events

September 10, 2011

Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and the Founding of St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Florida
The annual, historical re-enactment of Menéndez’ landing and anniversary commemorations by La Compañía de Santiago (The Company of St. James) will be held at Mission Nombre de Dios (www.missionandshrine.org).
This heritage Event begins at 10 a.m. and admission is free of charge to the public.
For more information, contact:
Mission Nombre de Dios
E-mail: shrine@missionandshrine.org
Mark Schmitt / La Compañía de Santiago (The Company of St. James)
E-mail: info@companiadesantiago.org
Phone: 1-877-FLA-HIST (1-877-352-4478)

September 16, 2011

First Muster
St. Augustine, Florida
The Florida National Guard and Florida Department of Military Affairs, in partnership with La Compañía de Santiago (The Company of St. James), will commemorate the 446th anniversary of the first mustering of America’s original citizen-soldiers and the “birthday” of the U.S. National Guard.
This annual heritage Event will take place on the grounds of the Florida National Guard’s (www.floridaguard.army.mil) headquarters in the St. Francis Barracks, at 82 Marine St., in St. Augustine, FL. There will be an “open house” for the St. Francis Barracks Museum from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Admission is free of charge to the public.
For more information, contact:
Maj. Miki Gilloon / Florida National Guard
E-mail: miki.gilloon@us.army.mil
Mark Schmitt / La Compañía de Santiago (The Company of St. James)
E-mail: info@companiadesantiago.org
Phone: 1-877-FLA-HIST (1-877-352-4478)

September 24, 2011

Los Presidiales de San Agustín at Fort Mose
St. Augustine, Florida
Members of Los Presidiales de San Agustín will present 18th-century, historical interpretation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fort Mose Historic State Park, the site of the first, legally sanctioned free black settlement in the continental U.S., established in 1738 (www.floridastateparks.org/fortmose/default.cfm).
This Living History Day will also be a “training day” to help prepare the soldados of Los Presidiales and the Fort Mose Militia for annual heritage Events at Fort Mose, such as Flight to Freedom and the Battle of Bloody Mose. Included will be colonial Florida culinary demonstrations and children’s activities.
For more information, contact:
Terri Newmans / Fort Mose Historic State Park
E-mail: terri.newmans@dep.state.fl.us
Dr. Richard Shortlidge / Los Presidiales de San Agustín
E-mail: info@presidialesdesanagustin.org
Phone: 1-877-FLA-HIST (1-877-352-4478)

The current member units of Florida Living History, Inc. are:

La Compañía de Juan Ponce de León / The Company of Juan Ponce de León (c. 1513-1521)
Los Compañeros de la Cocina / The Companions of the Kitchen (c. 1513-1704)
Alondra (c. 1513-1783)
Calderon’s Company (c. 1539)
La Compañía de Santiago / The Company of St. James (c. 1565)
Los Presidiales de San Agustín / The Presidiales of St. Augustine (c. 1672-1763)
The Textile Guild of St. Augustine, Inc. (18th century)

Florida Living History is always striving to meet high standards in historical interpretation and supports educational initiatives that promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the rich and diverse heritage of Florida and the Americas.

Explore their website for more information floridalivinghistory.org

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer