Kingsley Plantation

For a full-day adventure, visit Kingsley Plantation in the morning and then take the St. Johns River Ferry from Fort George Island to Mayport Village. Grab a late lunch at Safe Harbor, a popular (and very busy) local seafood restaurant. – Gwen Pratesi

Overview of Kingsley Plantation

Set in the 46,000-acre area of Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve – one of the last bits of unspoiled wetlands along the Atlantic Coast – Kingsley Plantation is the former home of Zephaniah Kingsley.

History

Kingsley moved to Fort George Island in the early 1800s with his wife and three children. His wife, Anna, originally hailed from Senegal and was purchased by Kingsley as a slave. She was freed by her husband in 1811, upon which she acquired her own land on the St. Johns River and purchased slaves. When the family began occupying the Kingsley Plantation in 1814, Anna helped manage a workforce of roughly 60 enslaved people, who produced Sea Island cotton, citrus fruit, sugarcane and corn on the plantation, thereby supplying the Kingsley family's wealth.

Life in East Florida

Because the free Black population in East Florida (a Spanish province) maintained certain rights and privileges at the time, owning land and enslaved people was a common occurrence for free people of African descent. This would all change when Florida became a territory of the United States in 1821 and racial discrimination began to shape legislative policies.

Expansion of the Plantation

Over the course of his lifetime, Zephaniah managed to expand his plantation empire to include more than 32,000 acres (across four plantation complexes) and owned more than 200 enslaved people.

Tips for Visiting

Today, you are invited to explore the plantation home, the slave quarters, the barn, and the rest of the property to learn about its unique history. Visitors might also be interested to know that this coastal community is part of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage corridor, which includes the sea islands of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

Audio Tour

There is a free self-guided audio tour at the plantation, "The Lion's Story Teller." Past visitors recommended opting for the detailed and informative audio tour, which includes 17 stops, to make the most of your time here.

Visitor Experience

Others say the property is well-preserved and especially enjoyed chatting with the park rangers, who have a wealth of knowledge about Kingsley Plantation's history. Visitors should also know that there is a 1.5-mile-long unpaved road leading to the property, which can be bumpy and full of small potholes.

Visiting Hours

You can visit Kingsley Plantation – located about 25 miles northeast of the city center – Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The historic 1798 planter's house at Kingsley Plantation is not open on weekdays due to preservation efforts and staffing; however, you may be able to tour the house during the weekends, and at scheduled times throughout the day. Admission is free.

For more information, including opening times of the planter's house, visit the National Park Services' Kingsley Plantation website.