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Public commenters praise St. Johns County Black-history tour, highlight Fort Mose
Summary
Visitors who took a Black-history tour in St. Johns County described it as emotionally powerful and informative, urged residents to be open-minded and to visit museums such as Fort Mose to learn local Black history.
Visitors who took a Black-history tour in St. Johns County told a public meeting they were surprised the county oes not make more of its Black history readily available and urged others to learn about it.
Speaker S1, a public commenter, said, "I knew I wanted just to come and learn about, black history in St. Johns County, and we're missing it if we haven't been here." The speaker said that people of all backgrounds—lack, white, Hispanic, Jewish and others—enefit from understanding the communities they live in.
The tour drew strong emotional reactions from attendees. Speaker S2, a public commenter who said the group came "from the North," described the visit as "emotional" and said they were "overwhelmed with joy" and grateful for the information the tour provided. "So we were definitely thankful for this tour," S2 said.
Another attendee, Speaker S3, said presenting the county's museums and history more broadly could boost local tourism and educate younger generations. "I think by St. John's County exposing the museums and all of the history that it has, it will bring more people into the city as well," S3 said, adding that the material shows "the roots of our history" that children need to learn.
Speakers urged visitors to approach the material with an open mind. S1 advised, "Don't come with predisposed thoughts. Just come. Be open minded. Listen." S1 pointed to firsthand voices encountered on the tour, saying, "Whether you're listening to an elder, we met with a woman that's 97 years old, or we're listening to historian here at Fort Mose. Just come and listen and take and learn."
No formal action or vote was recorded in the transcript. The comments framed the tour as a community education and outreach opportunity intended to connect residents and visitors with the county's Black history and local cultural sites such as Fort Mose.
The public commenters emphasized education and outreach as the primary next steps: attend tours, listen to elders and historians, and promote museum access to broaden awareness of St. Johns County's Black heritage.
