Special Feature: Fort
Mosé
If
you have French, Spanish, Greek, African-American, Caribbean, Native American,
or British heritage, chances are you’ll find something pertaining to your
cultural heritage in St. Augustine. One great cultural site often overlooked is
Fort Mosé, short for Gracía Reál de Santa Teresa de Mosé, which was created as
a free black colony in the late 1730s. To live in this settlement there were
only two requirements: you had to pledge loyalty to the Spanish crown, and you
had to be Catholic. The first photo shows the general location of the now-lost
fort. I’ve heard that funds are being raised to build part of a fortification
so visitors will have a better understanding of what was here.
The
second photo shows the heritage museum located at Fort Mosé. It’s not a very big place
but is packed with information. There are various displays showcasing all
aspects of African life in the 18th century, some touchable
exhibits, and lots of interactive displays as well. If you stand on
specially-appointed circles (seen in the photo) you’ll hear stories about the
fort’s history and culture. If you’re lucky you might get to see homemade
African tribal masks constructed by local children. Fort Mosé isn’t very far
from town and is a great choice for anyone who wishes to learn something more
than the “typical” history of St. Augustine.
(c) 2015 St. Augustine Fridays
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