Excelsior Museum and Cultural Center
Excelsior Museum and Cultural Center is an African-American history museum in St. Augustine, Florida. It is located at 102 Martin Luther King Avenue and open Tuesday through Thursday from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. It is housed in the Excelsior School building, St. Augustine's first black public high school. The museum opened in 2005.
Exhibitions include the history of Lincolnville, founded as a cluster of plantation squatter shacks that eventually became an area of Victorian homes. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The history of runaway slaves who built Fort Mose is also part of the museum's collection as well as other aspects of the African-American community's history in St. Augustine.
The collection includes information on black churches, Martin Luther King, black historical and social societies, and entrepreneurs. The collection includes Kat Twine's Freedom Hat, the sign board from the demolished Monson Motor Lodge and the piano that Ray Charles played at the School for the Deaf and Blind.
There is also local memorabilia, photographs and artwork. Classes and after-school tutoring are offered. There is also a library with reading room, computers, and internet access.
Excelsior School
Segregated black schools were established in 1901 and in 1921, "School #2" or "Colored School" was established as St. Augustine's school for black students. It was designed by St. Augustine's leading architect, Fred Henderich, and constructed in 1925. It was renamed Excelsior in 1928. Alumni include NFL star Willie Gallimore and St. Augustine Movement civil rights leaders Henry and Kat Twine. It closed in 1968 and was used for local government offices.
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Coordinates: 29°53′08″N 81°18′54″W / 29.8856°N 81.3151°W