| USA > Florida > Jacksonville > Society and Culture > History |
 |
Kingsley Plantation |
This historic 19th-century plantation site, located on Fort George Island, is situated within the Timucuan Preserve. The cotton plantation was operated 1813-39 by Zephaniah Kingsley and remains as one of the last examples of territorial Florida's plantation system. Today, the historic site takes in about 25 acres of mostly open land; visitors can access a one-third mile loop trail on which the remains of plantation buildings can be seen.
Located off Hwy A1A and north of the Mayport ferry landing, the circa 1798 plantation house, kitchen house, barn, and the remains of 23 slave cabins are still visible. During most of the year, visitors can see Sea Island cotton, once the island's major crop, growing in the garden and learn about cultivation of plantation crops. The site is open daily, closed Christmas Day. Free to the public.
| Location | 11676 Palmetto Avenue Jacksonville Florida 32226 |
| Phone | 904-251-3537 |
| Contact | Superintendent, Kingsley Plant |
| Website |
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/geo-flor/21.htm
Kingsley operated under a "task" system, which allowed slaves to work at a craft or tend their own gardens once the specified task for the day was completed. Proceeds from the sale of produce or craft items were usually kept by the slaves. Purchased as a slave, Kingsley's wife, Anna Madgigine Jai, was freed in 1811. She was active in plantation ... |
