No images? Click here
St. Augustine celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act
Sixty years ago, St. Augustine, Florida played a pivotal role in the passage of the American Civil Rights Act of 1964. Demonstrations organized by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and local activists like Dr. Robert B. Hayling harnessed global awareness of racial tensions in the United States.
In June 2024, more than a dozen St. Johns County cultural organizations will collaborate to present a full month of events and exhibitions to commemorate the Civil Rights era and celebrate the people who brought positive change to the nation.
This week, learn more about St. Augustine's role in the civil rights movement, plus the city's history and Black heritage sites.
Plan your trip with our African American Heritage itinerary.
On May 18, 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. arrived in St. Augustine, Florida to work with local activists leading the charge to end segregation. The Monson Motor Lodge would be the site of three crucial moments in Civil Rights History that made global headlines and influenced lawmakers to vote in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Located in the Lincolnville neighborhood, St. Benedict the Moor Church is the city’s first parish to serve African-American Catholics and one of the first schools for Black children in Florida. In the 1960s, Dr. King used the rectory to plan marches and demonstrations that would play a significant role in the passage of Civil Rights legislation.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The St. Augustine Music Festival and St. Johns Cultural Council present a special Juneteenth event starring virtuoso pianist Marcus Roberts and the Modern Jazz Generation, featuring Jason Marsalis.
Marcus Roberts was a student at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine, the same school attended by pianist Ray Charles decades earlier.
General admission tickets are ON SALE NOW for $30. Ticket prices increase to $40 in June.
JUNE 1 - SEPT 15
Richard Twine Photo Exhibit
JUNE 5
Waves of Change Exhibit Opening
JUNE 11, 18 & 25
Guided Civil Rights Tours at LMCC
JUNE 12
Historic Beach Walk at Butler Beach
JUNE 18
Commemorating the Arrest of 16 Rabbis
JUNE 22
Kyshona with The Little Mercies
This arts and culture newsletter is funded in part by the organizations listed below and through the generous support of our stakeholders.
