Our view: Civil rights museum is gaining momentum with Young's push
Created 06/12/2011 - 12:09am
Summary:
A long talked about St. Augustine Civil Rights Museum is more than just moving forward, it is gaining momentum, thanks to Ambassador Andrew Young.
A long talked about St. Augustine Civil Rights Museum is more than just moving forward, it is gaining momentum, thanks to Ambassador Andrew Young.
On Saturday, a kickoff for the estimated $15-20-million fund-raising effort was held in conjunction with the weekend celebration of the dedication of the Andrew Young Memorial and the Andrew Young Crossing at the intersection of King and St. George streets that borders the Plaza de la Constitucion. Young, who was at the dedication, is connecting with friends across the country to help bring to life St. Augustine's pivotal role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It was the last staging ground for the civil rights movement in June 1964.
The vision was outlined on Saturday; a three-building complex proposed for the St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church and School property on M.L. King Avenue. The former School building would be renovated for historical displays and a new modern state-of-the- art museum would be built to tell more of the history. A commercial building would front on M.L. King Avenue. "Overall, we are hopeful that such a partnership will lead to a renewal of Lincolnville and the ability to tell the stories of that area of St. Augustine," said the Rev. Tom Willis, rector of the Cathedral Parish which includes St. Benedict the Moor.
St. Augustine Mayor Joe Boles has embraced the plan and organized a committee several years ago to develop a museum. The foundation was recently formed so that fundraising can begin in earnest. All of this is designed, Boles said, to enhance Lincolnville as a business and residential community with unique historic significance. In addition to the partnership with the Diocese of St. Augustine, Boles sees a partnership with St. Johns County and the Friends of Excelsior which operates the Excelsior Cultural Museum in the former Excelsior School. The county leases Excelsior from the state and the museum subleases its section from the county. The Cultural Museum is the city's first black history museum and is one block south on M.L. King from St. Benedict the Moor.
We share Boles' vision for the historically black community's rebirth. But it won't happen without major support from the community and nationwide. We are encouraged that Young has signed on to help the complex become a reality.
We like what J.T. Johnson said, too. Johnson is a personal friend of Young, who was among the civil rights demonstrators arrested in St. Augustine in 1964. "We are very proud that the nation's oldest city has stepped up with the Andrew Young Crossing," he said. "We want to help it to be the best city."
How to help
Contributions to the St. Augustine Civil Rights Museum may be sent to the St. Augustine Civil Rights Foundation, Inc., 19 Riberia St., St. Augustine, FL 32084.
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