First Muster 2019

Join The Florida National Guard and Florida Living History Inc. as they re-create the first mustering of soldiers in the continental United States.

Please Note: This event is from 2019

First Muster 2019

St. Francis Barracks Parade Field
82 Marine Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084

The Florida National Guard and Florida Department of Military Affairs join with Florida Living History, Inc. to commemorate the 454th anniversary of the first mustering of America's original citizen-soldiers. The annual First Muster event will be held on Friday, September 13, 2019, beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the St. Francis Barracks.

The first muster took place on September 16, 1565, in the newly established San Agustín de la Florida, and involved around 50 men. This heritage event commemorates that initial muster of America's militia and the "birthday" of Florida's National Guard.

Florida Living History, Inc. will provide historians specializing in living history dressed in traditional garb as well as Spanish citizen-soldiers who formed Florida's first militia. Historians will also be bearing 16th-century weapons and will discuss and demonstrate the military arts of the period.

This year's event will showcase an exhibition of paintings about Florida history by artist and native Floridian Jackson Walker, who has spent the past 30 years capturing moments in Florida history in his paintings. The exhibit will be on display at the Florida National Guard's headquarter at St. Francis Barracks until the summer of 2020.

Admission: Free

When: Friday, September 13, 2019, at 3:00 p.m.

Where: The St. Francis National Guard Barracks is located at 82 Marine Street in St. Augustine FL 32084.

First Muster 2019

St. Francis Barracks Parade Field
82 Marine Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084

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Editor's Note: We encourage you to verify event times and details with the organizers, as they may change.