Fort Mose Historic State Park, at 15 Fort Mose Trail in St. Augustine, protects the site of Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose. Florida’s Spanish governor chartered the settlement in 1738 for people fleeing slavery in the English colonies. The grounds are free and open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is open Thursday to Monday and costs $2 per adult (under 6 free). The next big event is the free First Harvest reenactment on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
The true story: freedom to the south
Everything in this section is documented history from Florida State Parks and the Fort Mose Historical Society.
According to the Fort Mose Historical Society, the first freedom seekers reached Spanish Florida in 1687: eight men, two women and a three-year-old nursing child. Others followed. Spain offered them freedom on two conditions: they had to declare allegiance to the king of Spain and join the Catholic Church.
In 1738, the Spanish governor chartered Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, “Fort Mose” for short, as their own settlement north of St. Augustine. Florida State Parks estimates that about 100 Africans made it their home. Its free Black militia was led by Captain Francisco Menéndez, who had himself escaped slavery.
That freedom had limits and an end date. When Spain ceded Florida to England in 1763, the people of Fort Mose faced enslavement again. They abandoned the fort and sailed for Spanish Cuba. The Historical Society calls Mose “the first ‘underground railroad’.”
In 1994 the site became a National Historic Landmark and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s also on the Florida Black Heritage Trail. Read the mystery behind it in Mystery File 003.
Hours, fees and parking
- Park grounds: free, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., 365 days a year.
- Visitor center and museum: 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Thursday to Monday. $2 per adult; children under 6 free.
- Closed Tuesday and Wednesday: the museum and the reconstructed fort.
- Guided tours: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., about 60 minutes.
- Parking: two small lots with 26 spaces in all, four of them accessible. On event days, arrive early.
Address: 15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32084. Phone: 904-823-2232. Hours and fees were checked on the Florida State Parks website on Nov. 1, 2026. Fees can change, so call ahead if it matters.
What to see and do
- The museum: a short film, interactive exhibits, archaeological artifacts and maps. Florida State Parks encourages visitors to talk through the story with the ranger on duty.
- The reconstructed fort: the park’s rebuild of the 1738 fort is complete. It opens during tours and scheduled events, so time your visit for 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.
- The boardwalks: two wheelchair-accessible boardwalks lead out over the salt marsh where the settlement stood.
- The Flight to Freedom Trail: a self-guided woodland path with interpretive panels.
- Birding and paddling: the park lists great blue herons, bald eagles and white ibis. A floating kayak launch sits east of the museum, usable at high tide.
- Picnics: a covered accessible pavilion by the main boardwalk, and 10 tables under the oaks behind the visitor center.
First Harvest, Nov. 7, 2026, and the year’s events
First Harvest is free and runs Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Reenactors play Governor Manuel de Montiano, Captain Menéndez, the militia, Spanish soldiers and the people of Mose, celebrating their first harvest. Expect processions, ceremony, musket firing, cannon salutes and a blessing of the harvest. Note: the event is a reenactment. The people and setting are historical, but the scenes and dialogue are recreated.
Coming up, per the Historical Society’s calendar:
- Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series, Feb. 4–14, 2027, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre
- Flight to Freedom, Feb. 25–27, 2027, at the park (free)
- Founders Day, Mar. 27, 2027, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Battle of Bloody Mose reenactment, June 19, 2027
The state park also lists a First Saturday Militia Muster with musket demonstrations. Times aren’t posted, so call the park first. See everything else happening in town on our events page.
Accessibility and tips
- The main boardwalk, the museum and the restrooms are fully wheelchair accessible. One manual wheelchair is available first come, first served.
- The park offers assisted-listening audio tours, a large-print guide and some Braille exhibits. Sign language interpreters are available by reservation (904-823-2232).
- Pets are welcome on a leash of 6 feet or less. Service animals may enter the visitor center.
- There’s little shade on the boardwalks. Bring water, sun protection and bug spray for the marsh.
Make it a day in St. Augustine
Fort Mose is a short drive from the historic district, so it pairs well with a downtown afternoon:
- See what the Mose militia was protecting: the Castillo de San Marcos and the other free sights.
- Turn it into a game with The Secret of the Spanish Fortress, or try our free Three Keys walk.
- Hungry? See where to eat.
- Staying the night: where to stay. Teachers and co-ops: group field trips.
Sources (checked Nov. 1, 2026): Florida State Parks Fort Mose pages (main, hours & fees, experiences & amenities, history); Fort Mose Historical Society, fortmose.org (About Fort Mose, Plan a Visit, events calendar, First Harvest).
Questions people ask
Is Fort Mose free to visit?
The park grounds are free. The museum and visitor center cost $2 per adult, and children under 6 get in free. Special events like First Harvest are free.
What days is the Fort Mose museum open?
Thursday to Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum and the reconstructed fort are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. The grounds are open every day.
Why is Fort Mose important?
Chartered in 1738, Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose is recognized as the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the United States. People escaping slavery in the Carolinas won freedom there under Spanish law. It’s a National Historic Landmark.
How long does a visit to Fort Mose take?
The guided tours at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. last about an hour. Add time for the museum, the boardwalks and the Flight to Freedom Trail.
Is Fort Mose good for kids?
Yes. Children under 6 get into the museum free, the boardwalks are easy walking, and reenactments like First Harvest bring the story to life.
Hours, fees and schedules change. Confirm with each organizer or site before you go. ← More from the blog