11 Black Cultural Heritage Sites to Explore in Jacksonville

Discover the rich history and legacy of Jacksonville's Gullah Geechee community.

Feb. 11, 2026 at 9:23am

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In honor of Black History Month, this article highlights 11 historic Black cultural heritage destinations in Jacksonville, Florida that visitors can explore. The sites include the ruins of the Fitzpatrick Plantation, the Clara White Mission and Eartha M.M. White Historical Museum, the Fort Caroline National Memorial, Durkee Field, Kingsley Plantation, Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Park, the Mandarin Museum, Norman Studios, Old City Cemetery, Reddie Point Preserve, and the Ritz Theatre and Museum.

Why it matters

These sites showcase the vibrant and influential Gullah Geechee culture that has shaped Jacksonville's history and community. By visiting these destinations, travelers can gain a deeper understanding of the contributions of African Americans to the city's development and the ongoing efforts to preserve this important cultural heritage.

The details

The article provides details on each of the 11 sites, including their historical significance, notable features, and current status. For example, the Fitzpatrick Plantation ruins highlight the role of enslaved African laborers in the production of salt, while the Clara White Mission celebrates the legacy of Florida's first Black female millionaire, Eartha M.M. White. The Kingsley Plantation, now part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, tells the story of Anna Madgigine Jai, who successfully defended her inheritance after the death of her enslaver husband.

  • The Fitzpatrick Plantation was built in the late 1700s.
  • The Clara White Mission was dedicated in 1947.
  • The Fort Caroline National Memorial commemorates the 1564 French settlement.
  • Durkee Field was home to the Negro League's Jacksonville Red Caps in the early 20th century.
  • Kingsley Plantation was established in 1793 and acquired by Zephaniah Kingsley, Jr. in 1817.

The players

Fitzpatrick family

The owners of the Fitzpatrick Plantation, which was destroyed during the Civil War.

Eartha M.M. White

Florida's first Black female millionaire, whose legacy is celebrated at the Clara White Mission.

René Goulaine de Laudonnière

The leader of the 1564 French settlement that is commemorated at the Fort Caroline National Memorial.

Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Henry Aaron

Baseball greats who played at Durkee Field, home of the Negro League's Jacksonville Red Caps.

Zephaniah Kingsley, Jr.

A controversial enslaver who acquired Kingsley Plantation in 1817 and married Anna Madgigine Jai, a Wolof woman from Senegal.

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What they’re saying

“Gullah Geechee is a foundational culture for the United States influencing everything from our foodways and music to the way we speak. It has a descendant community that numbers in the hundreds of thousands internationally. Many of them contributed greatly to the economic engine that has fueled Jacksonville's growing metroplex since Reconstruction.”

— Heather L. Hodges, Former Executive Director, Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor (2017-2020)

The takeaway

Jacksonville's Gullah Geechee heritage is a vital part of the city's history and identity, and these 11 cultural heritage sites offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore and celebrate this rich and influential legacy. By preserving and sharing these stories, Jacksonville is honoring the contributions of its African American community and ensuring that this important history is not forgotten.