Episode 4 of SJC Stewardship Series Features Beluthahatchee Park
The SJC Stewardship Series tells the stories of St. Johns County history, culture, and conservation.
Key Points
- Watch episode 4 of the SJC Stewardship Series featuring Beluthahatchee Park and learn about one of St. Johns County’s most significant and historic sites.
- Explore the history, culture, and conservation efforts that preserve Beluthahatchee Park and the stories that shaped St. Johns County.
- New SJC Stewardship Series episodes will be released monthly, highlighting historically and culturally significant locations throughout St. Johns County.
Join Megan Wright, Environmental Specialist, in Episode 4 Part I and Episode 4 Part II of the SJC Stewardship Series to discover Beluthahatchee Park and the remarkable history of one of St. Johns County’s most culturally significant locations. Explore the entire SJC Stewardship Playlist to watch prior episodes.
The SJC Stewardship Series is a monthly video series highlighting history, culture, and conservation efforts in St. Johns County. The series supports the St. Johns County Strategic Plan priorities of Community Trust and Enhance Conservation.
In this episode, discover the history of Beluthahatchee Park, its connection to author and human rights activist, Stetson Kennedy, and the ongoing restoration work supporting native plants and wildlife.
Located along State Road 13 and the Historic Bartram Scenic Highway, Beluthahatchee Park is a quiet, two-acre property, situated on Lake Beluthahatchee near the St. Johns River. The property was purchased in coordination with the Florida Communities Trust in 2006 and opened to the public in 2008.
The park’s lakeside setting supports a variety of plants and wildlife. During the winter, cypress trees along the lake host a large bird rookery, providing visitors with opportunities to observe birds and other wildlife from the park’s dock.
Because the property was formerly used as a residential site, several plants originally installed for landscaping are now considered invasive. In 2025, St. Johns County staff began removing invasive species and replacing them with native and Florida-Friendly plants. Expected to be completed in 2026, the restoration project will demonstrate how native landscaping can beautify a property while providing valuable habitat for local wildlife.
The cabin at Beluthahatchee was built in 1973 and served as the home of pioneering author, folklorist, and human rights activist, Stetson Kennedy. Kennedy described the property as a slice of “Olde Florida” and referred to his home as “Floridiana Rusticana” and “Shipwreck Kennedy,” reflecting its collection of cottage crafts, folk art, and Florida-inspired décor.
Kennedy wrote extensively about race relations in the South, Florida folklore, culture, and the state’s history. Celebrated author Zora Neale Hurston also visited the property and worked with Kennedy through the Federal Writers’ Project to collect and preserve stories of American folklore.
Hurston contributed to the meaning associated with the name Beluthahatchee, describing it as a place “where all unpleasantness is forgiven and forgotten.” Other influential folklorists, artists, and writers associated with the property include Alan Lomax, Frank Thomas, and Lily Green.
Today, the historic cabin continues to serve the Switzerland-area community as a gathering place for garden groups, book clubs, educational programs, and scheduled tours. Visitors interested in touring the cabin should contact the Stetson Kennedy Foundation in advance by visiting the Stetson Kennedy Foundation website.
To learn more about Beluthahatchee Park, including park amenities, programs, and visitor information, visit the St. Johns County Parks and Recreation web page.
Watch Episode 4 Part I and Episode 4 Part II of the SJC Stewardship Series to explore the history and legacy of Beluthahatchee Park.
Follow and subscribe to the Official St. Johns County social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn) and explore the SJC Stewardship Playlist for prior episodes.
About the SJC Stewardship Series
The SJC Stewardship Series explores the unique cultural and historic resources that define St. Johns County. Each episode showcases a different location, telling the stories of the people, places, and heritage that have shaped the county’s rich history and culture.
How to Watch
Episodes of the SJC Stewardship Series are available across multiple channels to ensure broad public access.
Follow and subscribe to the Official St. Johns County social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn) so you don’t miss an episode and explore the SJC Stewardship Playlist.
Episodes and information can also be found on the SJC Stewardship Web Page and on the County’s GovTV channel.
More Episodes Coming Soon
New episodes will be released monthly, each highlighting a different location across St. Johns County. Stay tuned as the SJC Stewardship Series tells the stories of St. Johns County history, culture, and conservation.
Stay informed of more St. Johns County news by subscribing to our e-newsletters and learn how we’re shaping our community’s future by advancing the SJC Strategic Plan through the Office of Public Affairs.
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