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A Special Edition Newsletter of Florida State Parks | #FLStateParks #blackhistorymonth |
Celebrate Black History Month at Florida State Parks
The month of February, Florida State Parks joins with Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott to commemorate Black History Month by recognizing the many ways African
Americans have enriched Florida’s communities, culture and history.
In 1926, educator and historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson started commemorating African-American
history during the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1970, February was officially designated
as Black History Month.
Florida’s state parks are proud to offer interpretative programs
that highlight African-American history in Florida. From period art exhibits and living history
reenactments to tours of the Cape Florida lighthouse, visitors are invited to
learn more about the rich and diverse history at Florida’s state parks.
The Department of State has established the Florida Black History Trail Guide, a publication to identify sites, buildings and other points of interest in black history that should be preserved and promoted as tourist attractions.
For a complete list of events being held at Florida’s state
parks in February, visit this website. You can also follow our '29 Days Of Black History' albums on Pinterest, Facebook and Florida State Parks to receive daily Black History facts.
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Black History Month at State Parks, Trails and Historic Sites
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Exhibit: Paradise Park Remembered
Paradise Park was a segregated Florida attraction opened in 1949 by the owners of Silver Springs, the state’s oldest attraction, and operated by an African-American staff until 1969.
Paradise Park Remembered, the exhibition at The Appleton Museum, features approximately 100 photographs taken by Bruce Mozert, former Silver Springs staff photographer, as well as snapshots from private collections and Marion County Black Archives.
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40th Annual Battle of Olustee Reenactment
As Florida’s first state park, Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park will host the 40th Annual Reenactment of the Battle of Olustee on Saturday, Feb. 13 and Sunday, Feb. 14.
In 1864, the Confederate and Union troops fought the largest battle in Florida. More than 2,000 demonstrators will present the living history impression during that time.
Learn more about Olustee and the Battle of Olustee event here.
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Flight to Freedom:
Public Day
Fort Mose's Flight to Freedom re-creates the experience of the hundreds of slaves who traveled to Fort Mose in search of freedom.
The guided 'Flight to Freedom' Trail, lined with several character reenactments, will showcase those who impacted the freedom seeker's journey to Florida. Join us Saturday, Feb. 13.
Share your visits, photos and historic moments with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram by using
#29DaysofBlackHistory and #FLStateParks. We’d love to see your photos!
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Black History Events in February
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Civil War Heritage Days
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Key West
Friday, Feb. 5 - Sunday, Feb. 7, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
This
three day event portrays 1861-1862 at a Federal
fortress. First person interpretation,
artillery demonstrations and camp life will be featured on a daily basis. Highlights include a parade, sea battle, blockade runner trials and patrol skirmish. Soldiers, townspeople,
craftspeople, performers and sutlers will share the history of Fort Taylor and life
during the Civil War.
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First Weekend Garrison Union
Fort Clinch State Park, Fernandina Beach
Saturday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 7, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
This program will allow visitors to interact with living historians to experience life in the fort as it was in 1864. The grounds will be bustling with soldiers in period costumes involved in firing demonstrations, marching drills, cooking and daily activities. Ladies in their dresses, sutlers displaying their wares, fife players and drummer boys bring every part of the civil war era to life. Come join in this unique, family friendly event.
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Lighthouse Tours
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne
Thursday - Sunday, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is a designated
Underground Railroad
Network to Freedom Site. Before the lighthouse was built, Cape Florida
was a secret meeting place and port for runaway slaves and Seminole Blacks.
Freedom seekers waited along its shores to rendezvous with sea captains or
board dugouts for a passage to safety in the British Bahamas.
Lighthouse tours
are available twice daily Thursday through Monday.
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