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Three men, garbed in 16th century clothing and gear

Social History

Where political history explores the past through the lens of the State, social history helps us to better understand the interactions of groups of people. St. Augustine, Florida has been a multi-racial, multi-faith city from the beginnings of its history. Browse through the Social History category to explore the people, places, and resources that have shaped St. Augustine to this day.

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Social History

A black and white illustration of a cemetery in St. Augustine, Florida. Several obelisks tower above an iron fence, surrounded by scraggly trees. Two coquina pyramids on the left honor US "victims" of the Seminole War.

"The Ancient City" — Harpers Monthly Magazine 1874

Peek into 1870s St. Augustine with this article, which is part fiction / part travel guide.

Front porch of the ACCORD Museum at 79 Bridge Street.

ACCORD Museum

Florida's first Civil Rights museum.

Experience the untold history of the nation's oldest city.

Fort Mose Historic State Park

The original destination of the Underground Railroad.

A colored image of Dr. R. B. Hayling, circa 2014. He is an old Black man with white hair and perceptive eyes.

Dr. Robert B. Hayling

Leader of the St. Augustine Civil Rights Movement.

Collage with red pattenred background. B&W bust of Zora Neale Hurston in foreground, she is smiling wide and has a drumstick in one hand.

Zora Neale Hurston

Anthropologist, author, preserver of memories.

Shoulders-up B&W portrait of Dr. King gazing into the camera.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

MLK was an orator, Reverend, and iconic Civil Rights activist.

The historical marker for the Lincolnville Historic District.

Lincolnville Neighborhood

Historic District founded by freed people in 1866.

A photograph of the exterior of 102 Martin Luther King Ave, the Excelsior High School. It is a beige building with two stories, surrounded by palm and oak trees.

Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center

First Public school for Black students in the city.

The interior of St. Paul AME Church, with the altar in the background and pews in the foreground.

St. Paul A.M.E. Church

Founded in 1873.

The Stono Rebellion at a Glance

What was the Stono Rebellion? Discover a South Carolina Freedom Struggle

Barbara Vickers (an older Black woman wearing glasses) stands in front of the bronze monument to the St. Augustine Foot Soldiers.

Barbara Henry Vickers

Local WWII patriot and Civil Rights activist.

A Black woman in 1800s garb holding out laundry in front of her.

Rosa

Enslaved woman who lived during the Second Spanish Period.

A large coquina house with a white fence extending into the foreground, the house sits on Aviles Street in St. Augustine, Florida

Ximenez-Fatio House

Built in 1798, revived in 1939.