Fort Mose Historic State Park stands as the sacred grounds where the first officially recognized free African community in America thrived. Back in 1738, the Spanish governor of Florida laid the foundations for Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, or simply Fort Mose, to provide refuge for those escaping the shackles of slavery in the Carolinas under English rule.

Throughout the following decades, Fort Mose and the Spanish settlement of St. Augustine became beacons of hope for Africans seeking emancipation from English oppression, amidst the tumultuous backdrop of power struggles among European colonizers in the New World. Freedom at Fort Mose came with a simple vow of loyalty to the Spanish crown and conversion to Catholicism. Approximately 100 individuals found solace in Fort Mose, forging a unique cultural heritage blending Native American, Spanish, and English traditions.

Recognized for its pivotal role in American history, Fort Mose was granted national acclaim in 1994, designated as a National Historic Landmark, and enshrined on the National Register of Historic Places.