Fort Mose Historical Society
Presents
Founders Day
Celebrate The Founding of Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose - Fort Mose
Fort Mose Historic State Park
15 Fort Mose Trail
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Beginning at 10:00 am at Fort Mose Historic State Park
This special event takes place in conjunction with the monthly militia muster
Schedule of Events:
Event Highlights
Witness the processions, pageantry, ceremony, and cannon salutes surrounding the official founding of Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, or ‘Fort Mose’, in 1738. This marks the 284th anniversary of the historic event that established Fort Mose as the first legally sanctioned free Black community in North America.
Join in the celebration as Captain Francisco Menendez, members of his free African militia, and members of the Fort Mose Militia officially receive their freedom from enslavement. Witness the official blessing of the site by Franciscan Friar Don Joseph de Leon.
Event Details
This Event is Free and Open to the Public.
Donations and Membership enrollment in Fort Mose Historical Society are gratefully accepted.
Museum/Visitor Center fees: $2.00 Children under the age of 6 are free.
This event is weather-sensitive. Please check this site frequently for more information!
The Real History!
In March 1738, the fortified village of El Pueblo de Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose was established by Don Manuel de Montiano y Luyando, royal governor of Florida. Located just north of the walled city of St. Augustine, Fort Mose became the first legally sanctioned free Black settlement in what is now the continental U.S.
Montiano also named Capitán Menendez, head of Florida's African militia since 1726, as the settlement's leader.
In 1740, Fort Mose militia was instrumental in defending colonial St. Augustine from British occupation. Unfortunately, the Mose fortress and community buildings were destroyed in the brutal conflict, called the Battle of Bloody Mose.
Event Sponsors
This event is supported, in part, by a Arts, Culture & Heritage grant provided by the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, with support from St. Johns County Cultural Council.
We are also grateful for generous support from our partners at Castillo de San Marcos and The Historic Florida Militia.
Did You Know!
Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, or Fort Mose, was:
- Destination of the original Underground Railroad, running south.
- First legally sanctioned free Black community in what’s now the United States!
Fort Mose Historical Society was founded in 1996, to serve as a Citizen Support Organization (CSO) for Fort Mose Historic State Park.
The Society’s mission is ‘to tell the Fort Mose story’.
Fort Mose Historical Society
Incorporate June 26, 1996
Selected Awards & Honors
Site of Memory: UNESCO Routes of Enslaved Peoples Project
US National Historic Landmark
Site, National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom
Opening Ceremony at 10:00AM
Militia Captain Welcome with respect to the flag and pledge of allegiance and prayer
10:15AM – Welcome by Historical Society President
10:25AM – Militia fires opening volley
10:35AM – Militia fires the cannon
10:50AM – Blessing by the Priest
10:55AM – Governor speech
11:10AM – Captain Francisco Menendez speech
11:20AM – Ladies of Fort Mose presentation
11:35AM – Fort Mose Militia & family Q&A
12:30PM – Closing Ceremony
Park will remain open until 4:30PM
Can you please update the schedule, this is what Lawson sent over.