Slave Dwelling Project in Jax

The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation  has partnered with the National Park Service to host the Slave Dwelling Project at Kingsley Plantation here in Jacksonville. This marks the Slave Dwelling Project's first official visit to Florida as part of their programming.

The Slave Dwelling Project , led by Joseph McGill, is dedicated to preserving extant slave dwellings and changing the narrative around the history of slavery in the United States.  

Kingsley Plantation , located on Fort George Island, had plantation-era owners as early as 1763. The Kingsley family is associated with the property from 1814 to 1837. The property has an extant main dwelling, as well as 25 extant tabby cabins that housed the enslaved community at Kingsley. The property is significant as one of the oldest properties left from that era in Florida, and in particular for the cultural significance regarding the systems in place during that period of Florida and United States history. Florida's history of slavery and African-American history are not well known, and Kingsley Plantation provides a unique location from which to share that story more broadly.

The project is intended to highlight African-American history in Florida, and in our region of Northeast Florida in particular, as well as discuss topics in history such as slavery, racial injustice, and social justice that are especially relevant today.  Kingsley Plantation is a unique example of multiple preserved extant slave dwellings, and highlighting the importance of this preservation effort, and telling the stories associated with why these dwellings existed, and how they have been preserved, is part of the programming planned for this event. 

Mr. McGill will host an interactive event free and open to the public on Tuesday May 15th at Kingsley Plantation from 6:30-8pm.

We hope that Mr. McGill’s visit will help serve as a catalyst for interest and awareness in our region, and in Florida generally, around the significance, importance, and volume of African-American history that has previously been overlooked and ignored. 

We will be relying on other local history and preservation-related organizations to help market and publicize the event, as well as invite attendees. Organizations that have been approached include the Jacksonville Historical Society, Amelia Island Museum of History, Jacksonville History Consortium, and Florida Public Archaeology Network. 

Would you consider donating $10, $20 or $50 to help bring the Slave Dwelling Project to Florida? Funds help cover speaking fees and travel for Mr. McGill. The Florida Trust has applied for a National Trust for Historic Preservation grant to help cover some expenses as well, but we need a match. Every little bit helps! Thank you and we hope to see you at Kingsley Plantation on May 15!