St. Johns Commission Approves Funding for Black History Museum

The Florida Museum of Black History moved another step closer to reality earlier this month with the approval by the St. Johns County Commission of a funding request. Commissioners voted 3-2 to provide $125,000 to the Museum foundation as part of its efforts to bring the facility to St. Johns County/St. Augustine.

The issue was raised by Commission Chair Clay Murphy at the end of a meeting where officials set the property tax rate for the coming year.

“One of the things we have determined over the last year or so is the state is going require some skin in the game” to move forward with the Museum project, Murphy said. “I think it would be a great discussion to see how we can fund that to keep our foot on the gas so the Foundation can keep (its) foot on the gas, so the state can realize we mean business and come up with some funding of their own.”

Commissioner Sarah Arnold, who championed the effort to bring the Museum to Northeast Florida, agreed with Murphy.

“I think it’s important that we keep the momentum going,” she said.

St. Johns County Administrator Joy Andrews said the Museum project is not eligible for tourism development funding so any grant would have to come from the county’s general fund.

Commissioner Christian Whitehurst said it is important for fundraising efforts to also gain momentum for the Museum to be successful.

“Having been along for the ride for the entire process, I know that skin in the game is what the state is looking for,” he said. “We need better advocacy in Tallahassee; we need better advocacy here in the private sector and around Northeast Florida to bring private sector dollars towards constructing the building, and we’ve made so little progress in getting the funding to actually construct the building.”

Commissioner Krista Joseph, who voted against the grant, said while she supports the Museum, she was concerned about the possible ramifications of the property tax amendment on the November ballot.

“I really want to wait until after the tax vote,” she said. “Otherwise, it’s a great opportunity. I want to see the (Legislative) Session start and get the guys behind us.”

Museum Foundation board member Howard Holley, who is also the publisher of EVOLVE News, told commissioners said the funds would be used for capacity building to enable the Foundation to seek private and other public funds.

“We have to put a plan together to go out and secure those funds,” he said. “That is community engagement so we can be statewide in our outreach.” Holley said the Foundation also plans to conduct an economic impact study.