Fort Mose Historic State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Fort Mose Historic State Park is a significant historical site in St.


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Summary

Augustine, Florida, that tells the story of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in the United States. The park is a great place to visit for those interested in African American history and the colonial period of Florida.

One of the main points of interest at Fort Mose is the reconstructed fort, which was built in 1738 by the Spanish to protect the settlement of free Africans from the British. Visitors can also explore the museum and exhibits that showcase the lives and experiences of the free African residents of Fort Mose.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that many of the free Africans who lived at Fort Mose were former slaves who had been granted freedom by the Spanish in exchange for converting to Catholicism and joining the Spanish military. Additionally, Fort Mose played an important role in the larger struggle between the Spanish and the British for control of Florida.

The best time of year to visit Fort Mose Historic State Park is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds. However, the park is open year-round and offers guided tours and educational programs throughout the year.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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