Weather Update: The Slave Dwelling Project will still take place in the event of rain, however we are moving the presentation to the barn. Rangers and volunteers will be on hand to direct visitors. Due to the venue change there will be no campfire but lanterns will light the way to the barn.
The Slave Dwelling Project, headed by Joseph McGill, is dedicated to preserving surviving African American slave dwellings and seeks to change the narrative around the history of slavery in the United States. Mr. McGill will host the free Jacksonville Slave Dwelling event, which is open to the public, Tues., May 15, at Kingsley Plantation from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Florida's history of slavery and African-American history are not well known, and Kingsley Plantation provides a unique location to share that story more broadly. With activity recorded as early as 1763, Jacksonville’s Kingsley Plantation on Fort George Island is one of the oldest properties remaining in Florida from the plantation era. The property includes the historic main plantation building as well as 25 of the original cabins that housed the enslaved community.
“It is our hope Mr. McGill’s visit and the Jacksonville Slave Dwelling event will serve as a catalyst to ignite interest around the unique African-American history of North Florida, and the important of preserving the structures that tell that important story,” said Florida Trust Executive Director Melissa Wyllie. “We believe this event will bring to life a history too often ignored.”
The Jacksonville Slave Dwelling event is intended to highlight African-American history in Florida, in the Northeast region of Florida in particular, as well as discuss slavery, racial injustice and social justice that are especially relevant today. Programming planned for the rare evening event at Kingsley Plantation begins at 6:30 pm.
Additionally, Mr. McGill will participate in a panel session on underrepresented history Thur., May 17, at the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation’s Florida Preservation Conference. He will also serve as the conference’s general session keynote speaker Fri., May 18. Information on conference registration is available at floridatrust.org.
The Jacksonville Slave Dwelling event is also sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation the Amelia Island Museum of History and through the financial support of the community.
About the Florida Trust The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation is the state’s non-profit dedicated to protecting Florida’s extraordinary heritage and history. Founded in 1978, the Florida Trust has collaborated to save irreplaceable Florida treasures like the Historic Florida Capitol and is a statewide partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Learn more at www.FloridaTrust.org and follow on Twitter: @FloridaTrustHP.
The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Park Service are pleased to share that they will host the Slave Dwelling Project in Jacksonville May 15 - 19. This marks the Slave Dwelling Project's first official visit to Florida as part of its programming.
