The St. Augustine City Commission voted unanimously on Monday to award a $25,000 grant to the foundation that is spearheading the future Florida Museum of Black History in St. Johns County. The funding will help the organization continue its fundraising and planning efforts while the state legislature works toward additional support.
Local leaders champion the museum
Howard Holley, head of the museum foundation and former board member who helped select St. Augustine as the museum’s home, addressed the commission during the meeting. Holley emphasized that the city’s financial contribution is only the first step. He asked the commission to consider appointing a city representative to the museum’s board of directors and to form a task force once the state moves forward.
Mayor‑elect Cynthia Garris urged patience, recommending that the board wait until its two new members are sworn in this December before naming a delegate or creating a task force. Garris will succeed Nancy Sikes‑Kline as mayor, and the upcoming December swearing‑in will also bring new City Commission members Ashleigh Barnes and the winner of the Seat 5 race between Matt Brown and Julie Settle.
State‑level progress remains slow
More than three years have passed since Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation that launched the museum selection process. St. Johns County was ultimately chosen as the site, and the state has allocated $2 million for planning and design. Early concepts include a performing‑arts and events center alongside the museum building, but construction has not yet begun on the former campus of the historically Black Florida Memorial University.
The county and the museum foundation continue to await further legislative appropriations to move the project from planning to groundbreaking.
Broad community support
Local backing for the museum is robust. Both the St. Augustine City Commission and the St. Johns County Commission approved their respective funding measures unanimously. City Commissioner‑elect Ashleigh Barnes, though not yet seated on the board, voiced strong enthusiasm during the meeting, stating, “I’m thrilled that they want not just the check, but our input. I think this is an extraordinary project that helps shape how St. Augustine and our broader community can benefit.”
City Commissioner Jim Springfield, who voted in favor of the grant, added that he hopes the city will also support its other cultural institutions in the future.
What’s next?
The foundation will use the city’s grant to bolster its fundraising campaign while continuing discussions with state officials. Once the state legislature approves additional funding, the museum’s board is expected to appoint a city representative and establish a task force to oversee the next phases of development.
Residents can look forward to a museum that not only preserves African‑American heritage but also serves as a cultural hub for performances, events, and education, enriching St. Augustine’s historic downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
