St. Augustine, Fla. (January 12, 2026) – St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches have long been beloved as a vibrant multi-cultural destination. This February, explore the rich heritage of African Americans on Florida's Historic Coast during Black History Month.

Visit Fort Mose's new 1738 replica

A must-do experience is Fort Mose Historic State Park's annual Flight to Freedom event, Feb. 26-28. Tours and demonstrations by historians, reenactors, and community members tell the brave story of men, women, and children who risked everything to flee enslavement on a British plantation and reach the free Black settlement of Fort Mose, laying the groundwork for the original Underground Railroad. In May 2025, the Florida State Park celebrated the grand opening of the replica of 1738 Fort Mose. A true community effort nearly 30 years in the making, the new fort provides a tangible monument to the settlement's inhabitants.

Explore more events during Black History Month

Over the two weekends from Feb. 6-15, history and music merge at the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series. A curated lineup of Grammy Award-winning musicians delivers powerful performances on the grounds where freedom first took root. The Series features performances by Ledisi, Gray Clark Jr., Robert Cray and Ruthie Foster, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble, and Samara Joy.

I Lived Here, As Well: The Final Chapter Tour at Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, Feb. 5-28, is a compelling look at the experiences of Black Americans who lived in the historic house, portrayed by costumed interpreters.

The St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department is hosting guided experiences that highlight the voices of St. Johns County's African American community. The History of Butler Beach Walk on Feb. 11 will explore the life of Frank B. Butler, a St. Augustine visionary who purchased and opened Butler's Beach, an oceanfront space for African Americans to enjoy during segregation. Rails, Roots & Freedom: African American Stories of St. Johns County, on Feb. 25, held at Fort Mose Historic State Park, brings together local historians and community leaders to discuss the area's history and the communities shaping its future.

The Black History App allows visitors and locals to explore the brick-lined streets and create their own immersive tour. It details the history and location of landmarks such as the Lincolnville Historic District and the Dr. Robert B. Hayling Freedom Park; profiles significant figures such as Frederick Douglass and Francisco Menendez; covers historical topics such as time periods, themes, and local groups; and presents a historical timeline of Black History in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and The Beaches. The Black History App is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

For the best deals on lodging, attractions, and more, use the travel planner or helpful AI Assistant at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com.

Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida's Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, the rural beauty of Hastings, Elkton, St. Johns, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. Visitor Information Centers are located at 10 Castillo Drive, St. Augustine; 200 Solana Rd. Suite B, Ponte Vedra Beach; and at the St. Johns County Beach Pier Park, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. For advance travel information, call 1-800-653-2489 or go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com. Check us out on social media Instagram @FloridasHistoricCoast; Facebook.com/OfficialStAugustine; and Threads @floridashistoriccoast