Fortress of Freedom: The Founding of Mose

Saturday, March 21, 2015, Historic City News readers are invited to spend the day at Fort Mose Historic State Park and to travel back in time to witness the founding of Florida’s Fortress of Freedom.

Florida Living History will honor the important date in American history when, in March 1738, the Royal Governor of Florida established the fortified village with the re-enactment of the reading of his proclamation to the people of the city and future residents of Fort Mose.

“Fort Mose (pronounced Mo-SAY) is the first, legally sanctioned free black settlement in the continental United States,” Dr. Richard Shortlidge told local news reporters. “Captain Francisco Menendez, who had been head of Florida’s African militia since 1726, was named the community’s leader.”

If you plan to attend the free event, Fort Mose Historic State Park is located at 15 Fort Mose Trail, off North Ponce de Leon Boulevard (US-1) in St. Augustine. The celebration begins at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2015 and closes at 4:00 p.m.

Partnering with Fort Mose Historic State Park and the Fort Mose Historical Society, Florida Living History enactors and other volunteers will present heritage interpretations and demonstrations, including:

• 10AM – 1PM: Depictions of daily life at Fort Mose in 1738, with cannon and musket drill by Spanish soldiers and Mose’s black militia, as well as period foodway demonstrations in the park’s choza;
• 1PM – 2PM: Re-enactment of Governor Montiano founding the village and Fort and the appointment of Captain Francisco Menendez;
• 2PM – 3PM: Dr. Anthony E. Dixon, President of Archival and Historical Research Associates, Field Director for the Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network, and Adjunct Professor of History at Florida A&M University, will present a lecture entitled “The African Diaspora in Florida”;
• 3PM – 4PM: A Middle Passage Remembrance Ceremony will be conducted by Ms. Ann Chin of the Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project
• Throughout the day, living-historians will answer visitors’ questions about this significant episode in Florida’s history and pose for photographs.

COST: Admission to this heritage Event is free. The Museum admission fee is $2.00 per adult; children age 5 and younger are free.

Photo by John Alison, courtesy of Florida Living History, Inc.