The main plantation house at Kingsley Plantation was closed today to protect the building and to protect visitors to the park site. National Park Service Superintendent Barbara Goodman announced today the temporary closure of this irreplaceable cultural resource, built in 1798. Kingsley Plantation is part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, located within the city limits of Jacksonville, Florida.
The decision was based on a preliminary engineering assessment that revealed structural problems that could jeopardize the integrity of the structure itself as well as pose a potential safety threat to visitors. The report pointed out damage to the support beams by termites and the structure’s inability to bear the load placed on it by the 55,000 visitors to the site each year. The Superintendent explained “the house was not designed or built to modern building codes. The original plans for the house and subsequent modifications by previous owners were not designed to support the weight and stress placed on the house by the visiting public."
The mission of the National Park Service is to preserve and protect national treasures, which are entrusted to the parks by the people of the United States, for this and future generations. Kingsley Plantation is listed as one of the significant historic assets in Public Law 100-249 establishing the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.
The Timucuan Preserve will contract with an engineering firm to complete an in-depth study, which will fully determine the extent of the damage to the structure. This study will also address the issue of stabilizing the house. In the meantime, visitor contact and orientation will continue elsewhere on site. Educational programs for schools and ranger programs for the visiting public will continue. Other historic buildings at the plantation as well as the grounds will remain open.
Kingsley Plantation is located off Heckscher Drive/A1A north of the St. Johns River ferry landing. For more information, please call 904/251-3537.
