Newsletter

of the

Fort Mose Historical Society

 Volume 5 No.1

August 2007

Ft. Mose holds inaugural event

The Fort Mose Historical Society can record an outstanding beginning for the calendar year 2007-2008. On July the thirteenth the society accepted the first installment of a $15,000.00 donation from Prosperity Bank. Prosperity Bank has pledged to donate $5000.00 per year for three years. The presentation ceremony was well attended. President Errol Jones accepted the check for the Historical Society. Members of the St. Augustine City Council were present. Children from St. Johns County School’s summer camp program participated. Archeologist Sarah Miller from the Florida Public Archeology Network gave an educational program on archeology. Living Historians from the St. Augustine Garrison performed eighteenth century Spanish military drill and Mr. John Ciprianni provided a real cannon!

This was Fort Mose Historic State Park’s inaugural educational program and it was an unqualified success! The event was covered by the press and the Historical Society received some excellent publicity.

Welcome new board members!

Although the Society elected new officers to its board of directors in April this is the first opportunity to acknowledge them in the newsletter. We would like to welcome new members Brian London and William Murrel to the board. Greg White, Gertie Laws, and Wanda Graves are familiar names who have joined the board as well. Brian London is a financial executive with the Tourism Development Council who has offered his services as Treasurer. Wanda Graves is a very active member who will act as Secretary and serve on the events committee. She is extremely busy now planning the annual Golf Tournament. Thanks to these devoted members for going the extra mile and volunteering their time in these important positions.

Society purchases furniture for Visitor Center

The Society responding to a request from the Florida Park Service has purchased almost $5000.00 worth of furnishings and educational equipment for the new Fort Mose Visitor Center. Among the items purchased were chairs and tables for up to fifty people, a projector, and a portable projection screen. These items will make it possible to start educational programming at Ft. Mose, hold board meetings, and speaking events.

FMHS receives CSO of the year award

The Friends of Florida State Parks has honored the Fort Mose Historical Society as outstanding Citizen Support Organization of the year! This award was given in recognition of the FMHS’s “exceptional service and support to Fort Mose Historic State Park.” The award was accepted by FMHS Vice President Charles Ellis.

Books donated to Ft. Mose library

Long time member Sandra Parks has donated seventeen books to inaugurate the reference library at Ft. Mose. This library is being developed in response to a request from St. Johns County Schools. The library will serve students, teachers, and scholars interested in the history and culture of African Americans, Spanish colonist, and Native Americans who lived at Ft. Mose.

Among the most important books donated are four extremely rare volumes of El Escribano, the newsletter of the St. Augustine Historical Society. These volumes go all the way back to 1955 and contain a wealth of information about Ft. Mose

Other books donated include works on slavery in Florida, Native Americans, and the Spanish colonial era.

Ft. Mose book drive

Park Ranger Stephen Carter is asking all interested members to contribute to the Ft. Mose book drive. Reference books are needed on a variety of subjects. Among these are: African American history art and culture, Native Americans, colonial history, African art and culture, slavery, and of course any book, fiction or factual that mentions Ft. Mose! Be aware that you don’t have to actually donate a book to contribute. If you know of a book that might be useful please contact Stephen. He is making a list of books that the library should acquire. He can be reached by phone at (904) 823-2232 or e-mailed at Stephen.f.carter@dep.state.fl.us

Upcoming events

Plans are moving ahead for both the annual golf tournament and the Lincolnville festival. The golf tournament will be in October this year. The Lincolnville festival will be held in November. Although it is only August planning has begun for next year’s Flight to Freedom celebration. It will be held February 8 and 9, 2008. Members interested in participating should contact Park Ranger Stephen Carter.

In the initial planning stages is a new event. In response to several suggestions, the Park is looking into holding a re-enactment of the battle of bloody Mose. This event is tentatively planned for April of 2008. This event could be a major draw for the park but we will need a lot of help from the Historical Society membership to make it happen. Anyone interested in participating should contact
Park Ranger Stephen Carter.