Fort Mose: Birthplace of Freedom

Hidden away in the marshes of St. Augustine, Florida is one of the most important sites in American history: the first free community of ex-slaves, founded in 1738 and called Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose or Fort Mose (pronounced Moh-Say).

More than a century before the Emancipation Proclamation, slaves from the British colonies were able to follow the original "Underground Railroad" which headed not to the north, but rather south, to the Spanish colony of Florida. There they were given their freedom, if they declared their allegiance to the King of Spain and joind the Catholic Church.

Fort Mose was the northern defense of St.Augustine, the nation's oldest city.

The events that took place there should cause all American history textbooks to be rewritten.

Fort Mose Historical Society

The Fort Mose Historical Society is dedicated to bringing this story to the American people and the people of the world, so it will no longer be a part of our hidden history. We began meeting in 1995, the same year that Fort Mose was declared a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. government. We were incorporated in 1996, and serve as the official Citizens Support Organization for the Florida Park Service, which owns the Fort Mose site. We have sponsored many public programs to increase knowledge of the Fort Mose story, worked to acquire land so that a museum can be built in the area, and we welcome your membership and support as we carry the effort to turn our dream into realty.