Historic City News photojournalist Raphael Cosme was on hand as the Celebrate 450 and Founders Day activities concluded on Tuesday, September 8th; the actual date that Pedro Menendez and about 800 settlers came ashore and established St Augustine as America’s oldest enduring city of European origin in 1565.
Earlier during the weekend, the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park held a reenactment of the landing for visitors who had to return to work after Labor Day. The event was ceremonial and included the unveiling of a statue of the Spanish explorer and conquistador, sculpted by Chad Light; the man who has portrayed Menendez in heritage events throughout the past four year’s activities.
But the historically accurate portrayal by Light and volunteer actors with Florida Living History, in a more expanded ceremony, took place on the grounds of the Mission Nobre de Dios and included the portrayal of Father Lopez’ and the establishment of the Christian cross at the site of the alter and shrine where the first Thanksgiving was shared between the settlers and indigenous people discovered living in Seloy.
Photo credits: © 2015 Historic City News contributed photograph by Raphael Cosme
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