St. Johns County Hosting Historic Day of Celebration in West Augustine on January 23

• 20 January 2026
• Category: SJC News
• Tags: 2026

On Friday, January 23, 2026, a historic day of celebration will take place in West Augustine at two locations. The media and the public are invited to attend both events.

Part One – Florida Memorial University Homecoming Celebration

• When: Friday, January 23, 2026, (UPDATE) 9:15 a.m.
• Where: Collier-Blocker-Puryear Park, 10 N. Holmes Blvd., St. Augustine
• What: St. Johns County will adopt a joint resolution at the historic Florida Memorial University (FMU) Arch.
• Who: Confirmed participants in order of expected appearance include:
  • Clay Murphy, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), District 3 County Commissioner
  • Sarah Arnold, District 2 County Commissioner
  • Greg White, President of the West Augustine Historical Community Development Corporation (CDC)
  • William McCormick, President of FMU
  • Pastor Horace Hord, Chair of the FMU Foundation

The resolution affirms a joint commitment among the FMU Foundation, FMU, St. Johns County, the City of St. Augustine, and community partners to collaboratively plan and redevelop the FMU Foundation property in West Augustine, including development of the Florida Museum of Black History. The resolution establishes a joint advisory committee to guide planning and coordination, emphasizes public safety, environmental stewardship, transparency, and community engagement, and positions the project as a model for cultural preservation and regional revitalization.

Proclamation By the Board of County Commissioners St. Johns County, Florida

WHEREAS, Florida Memorial University (FMU,) one of the oldest academic centers in the state, began its third incarnation in St. Augustine on September 24, 1918; and

WHEREAS, the involvement of FMU students in local events during the 1950s and 1960s contributed to the advancement of civil rights and influenced national legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ultimately lead FMU to relocate its campus to Dade County; and

WHEREAS, FMU maintained ownership of the prior campus property allowing for an eventual partnership with the County which provides an opportunity to develop a state-of-the-art facility for the Florida Museum of Black History, which embodies and conveys the historical relevance of the property, the local area and the State of Florida; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Johns County, Florida that Florida Memorial University is recognized as an official partner for the Florida Museum of Black History Project:

Welcome Home Florida Memorial University!

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Johns County, Florida this 23^rd day of January 2026.

Part Two – West Augustine Health and Wellness Center Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

• When: Friday, January 23, 2026, 2 p.m.
• Where: West Augustine Health and Wellness Center, 110 N. Brevard St., Augustine
• What: St. Johns County, in partnership with the Bailey Group and the West Augustine Historical Community Development Corporation, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the West Augustine Health and Wellness Center.
• Who: Confirmed participants in order of expected appearance include:
  • Mark Bailey, President of The Bailey Group
  • Bishop Walter Brown Jr.
  • Sarah Arnold, District 2 County Commissioner
  • Joy Andrews, St. Johns County Administrator
  • Rob Hardwick, St. Johns County Sheriff
  • Clay Murphy, Chair of the BCC, District 3 County Commissioner
  • Nancy Sikes-Kline, Mayor of the City of St. Augustine
  • Henry Dean, Former District 5 St. Johns County Commissioner
  • Cynthia Garris, City of St. Augustine Commissioner
  • Gerald Chester, Project Consultant
  • Robert Nimmons, Chair of the West Augustine Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
  • Greg White, President of the West Augustine CDC
  • Dwala Willis, West Augustine CDC
  • Pastor Raleigh Burney

Additional Event Details:

• Open to media and the public.
• Extensive catering, seating, and tents will be provided.
• St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office security detail and traffic PSAs will be present.
• Following the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, the Health and Wellness Center will be open to the public for a walkthrough.
• This event is predicted to run until at least 4 p.m.