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Committee backs St. Johns site and board for proposed Florida Museum of Black History
Summary
SB 466 designates St. Johns County as the site for a proposed Florida Museum of Black History, establishes a board of directors and directs county administrative support; the Rules Committee reported the bill favorably after supporters highlighted local history and HBCU partnerships.
The Senate Rules Committee on Monday reported favorably SB 466, a bill that designates St. Johns County as the site for a planned Florida Museum of Black History and establishes a Board of Directors to work with a supporting nonprofit foundation and Florida Memorial University.
Sponsor Senator Leake told the committee the measure implements recommendations of a 9‑member Black History Task Force created in 2023, which surveyed more than 4,000 citizens and reviewed 13 prospective locations. "Senate Bill 466 designates St. John's County as a site for the museum," Leake said, and the committee was told that St. Augustine, St. Johns County, was ranked the front runner by Division of Historical Resources staff.
Local residents and advocates urged accurate and scholarly displays. Lisa Lloyd, a multi‑generational resident of St. Augustine, told senators: "Black history is American history... The first time the Emancipation Proclamation was read was in St. Augustine." Co‑sponsor Senator Osterholm highlighted the site's history — including land that was once a plantation and connections to Florida Memorial University — and said the museum could provide educational and revenue benefits to the historically Black university.
Senators asked about feasibility work and funding. Sponsor Leake said a feasibility study exists and that separate appropriations have been proposed for planning and design; committee members were told a $2,000,000 request had been budgeted at $1,000,000 in a separate appropriation rather than in this bill. The committee reported SB 466 favorably; the bill will proceed to the full Senate.
