Sixty years ago, St. Augustine, Fla. played a pivotal role in passage of the American Civil Rights Act.  This year more than a dozen St. Johns County area cultural organizations have collaborated to present a full month of events and exhibitions to commemorate the Civil Rights era and celebrate the people who brought positive change to the nation. Numerous free and ticketed events will be held for the public to learn more about the 1960s demonstrations organized by Dr. Martin Luther King and local activists including Dr. Robert Hayling, along with activities that explore five centuries of Black history in America’s oldest city with tours, speakers, film, concerts, and new permanent and temporary exhibitions.  

Events include –

June 1 through September 15: The St. Augustine Historical Society presents A Pictorial History of the Black Community in St. Augustine and St. Johns County, featuring the photography of John L. Jackson and Lenny Foster at the Tovar House, 22 St. Francis Street in  St. Augustine. Free and open to the public.

June 1 through September 15: St. Augustine Historical Society presents Lincolnville through the Lens of Richard Twine: St. Augustine's First Professional Black Photographer to be held at the Dunham House, 271 Charlotte Street in St. Augustine. Free and open to the public. 

June 5 at 5 p.m.:  Opening of Waves of Change, a permanent exhibition at the Cultural Arts Center at the St. Augustine Beach Hotel that tells the history of St. Augustine Beach, including the wade-ins of 1964. The St. Augustine Beach Hotel is the only Florida property listed on the National Register of Historic Places with a National level of significance for the Civil Rights movement.  The opening event will be followed by a concert with Billy Buchanan and his Rock ‘n Soul Review to be held at 350 A1A Beach Boulevard in St. Augustine Beach. Free and open to the public.

June 11 at 1:30 p.m.: Visit the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center for the opening ceremony of their new and improved Civil Rights Exhibit. The event will be held at 102 M L King Ave. in St. Augustine. Free with registration and sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/civil-rights-exhibit-opening-ceremony-at-the-lmcc-tickets-884970720247?aff=oddtdtcreator. 

June 11, June 18, and June 25 at 5 p.m.: Learn about St. Augustine’s Civil Rights history with the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center Guided Civil Rights Tour. The events will be held at 102 M L King Ave. in St. Augustine. Free and open to the public.

June 12 from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m.:  Join St. Johns County Parks and Recreation for a History Beach Walk and stroll back in time to learn more about the rich Black history of Butler Beach at Frank Butler Park East, 680 AIA South in St. Augustine. Register at https://secure.rec1.com/FL/stjohns-county-fl/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTMwNzU5NDY.

June 15 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.: The Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center’s Juneteenth Heritage Luncheon includes a celebration of music, historical dialogue, and an anniversary kickoff presentation. Cost is $75 per person. The event will be held at the Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel, 6 W. Castillo Drive in St. Augustine. Tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-annual-juneteenth-heritage-luncheon-tickets-885000599617?aff=oddtdtcreator.

June 15 from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m.:  Celebrate 50 years of Civil Rights at the Lincolnville Juneteenth Festival on M.L. King Avenue, St. Augustine, with music, food, and a variety of family friendly activities. General admission is free. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/blackstineconnect?mibextid=LQQJ4d

June 16 at 10:45 a.m.: The Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center and St. Paul AME present Civil Rights activist, author, and former journalist Charles Cobb, who will speak during the morning worship at St. Paul AME, 85 Martin Luther King Avenue in St. Augustine. Free and open to the public.

June 18 at 12 p.m.:  The St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society commemorates the 60th anniversary of the arrest of 17 rabbis who came to St. Augustine to join the civil rights demonstrations at the Hilton Historic Bayfront Inn, 32 Avenida Menendez in St. Augustine. Free and open to the public.

June 19 at 7:30 p.m.:  The St. Augustine Music Festival presents Marcus Roberts and the Modern Jazz Generation, performing From New Orleans to Harlem, featuring a 100th anniversary arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue. The ticketed event will be held at Flagler College, Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada St. in St. Augustine. https://staugustinemusicfestival.org/  and https://staugustinemusicfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/SAMF2024.pdf.

June 22 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.:  The Fort Mose Historical Society presents The Battle of Bloody Mose at Fort Mose Historic State Park, 15 Fort Mose Trail in St. Augustine.  Free and open to the public.

June 22 at 6:30 p.m.:  The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival presents Kyshona with The Little Mercies with live performances. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; performances begin at 7 pm at The Waterworks, 184 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine. The Waterworks is an intimate, historic venue with 130 seats and excellent acoustics for a distinctive listening experience. Tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kyshona-trio-live-from-the-waterworks-in-st-augustine-tickets-848550546527

June 25 at 3 p.m.: Nationally acclaimed sculptor Dana King will present a collage of her works at the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center at 102 M L King Ave, St. Augustine.  Free with registration at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dana-king-at-the-lmcc-tickets-885039947307?aff=oddtdtcreat%20or.

July 1 from 12 pm to 10 pm:  ACCORD Film Festival and Book Signing at the historic St. Paul AME Church, 85 Martin Luther King Avenue in St. Augustine. Free and open to the public.

July 2 at 9 a.m.:  ACCORD Freedom Trail Trolley Tour with historian David Nolan. Free with tickets to ACCORD luncheon at 75 King Street in St. Augustine. Luncheon tickets at https://accordfreedomtrail.org.

July 2 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.:  The ACCORD Museum and Freedom Trail presents its 9th Luncheon at the Casa Monica Resort and Spa, with speakers including St. Augustine civil rights activist Dr. Cynthia Mitchell Clark and Crystal Hayling, daughter of Dr. Robert Hayling.  Luncheon tickets at https://accordfreedomtrail.org.

About the St. Johns Cultural Council

In partnership with the cultural community on Florida’s Historic Coast, the St. Johns Cultural Council promotes arts, culture and heritage activities and events in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches. St. Johns County offers more than 450 years of history to explore. As America’s oldest city, St. Augustine’s historic sites are plentiful including the iconic fort, museums and many attractions which offer reenacted history. Experience the city’s renowned culture while strolling past charming homes on brick-paved streets that serve as an authentic reminder of a bygone era. For more information about the cultural assets in St. Johns County, visit www.historiccoastculture.com.