St. Augustine Foot Soldiers Monument facts for kids
The St. Augustine Foot Soldiers Monument is a special statue in downtown St. Augustine, Florida. You can find it in the Plaza de la Constitución, which is a historic public park. This monument remembers the brave people who protested peacefully in St. Augustine in the early 1960s. They worked hard to help bring about equal rights for everyone, and their efforts helped lead to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The monument was put up and shown to the public in May 2011. It was created by a group called the St. Augustine Foot Soldiers Remembrance Project, Inc.
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What the Monument Looks Like
The monument is made of bronze and weighs about 675 pounds. It was designed by a sculptor named Brian R. Owens. The main part shows four life-size faces of "foot soldiers" standing side by side. These are not real people, but they represent the many people who protested. Behind them, there's a picture carved into the bronze that shows a protest happening in the same Plaza where the monument stands today.
The four faces represent different kinds of people who were involved:
- A white college student.
- A Black man in his thirties.
- A Black woman in her sixties.
- A 16-year-old Black girl.
The monument sits on a large stone base that weighs 7,500 pounds. This base was designed by Enzo Torcoletti and includes Coquina, a natural stone found in St. Augustine. Many old buildings in the city are made from coquina. There's a plaque on the front of the base that tells the monument's history, and another on the back that thanks the people who donated money.
Why This Spot is Important
The group that created the monument wanted to put it in the Plaza because this park is full of history. The Plaza was first created in 1598 by order of the King of Spain, making it one of the oldest public parks in the United States.
The Plaza has other historic items, like a Confederate Monument and a structure once called the "Slave Market." This "Slave Market" was an open, covered building. While it was mainly used to sell local goods like fish and meat, historians have found proof that enslaved people were also sold and even punished there.
The Plaza was also a key place for civil rights protests.
- The first attempts to desegregate lunch counters in St. Augustine happened at a Woolworths store that faced the Plaza.
- Many "Foot Soldiers" marched to the Plaza at night during their protests.
Even though other important protest sites like the Woolworths store and the Monson Motor Lodge are gone or have changed, the Plaza still looks much like it did in the 1960s. This makes it a perfect spot for the monument.
In 2009, the St. Augustine City Commissioners changed a rule that stopped new monuments from being placed in the Plaza if they honored events after 1821. They made this change so the Foot Soldiers Monument could be installed, recognizing the Civil Rights Movement as a very important part of St. Augustine's modern history. The monument faces away from the old "Slave Market" and towards King Street, where the Woolworths store used to be.
How the Project Started
The idea for the monument came from Barbara H. Vickers, a "Foot Soldier" who marched in the early 1960s. She was 88 years old when the monument was unveiled. She started organizing the project in 2005. She wanted to honor the protesters who were often not recognized for their sacrifices, like injuries, losing jobs, or even homes.
Also, many people don't know much about the Civil Rights Movement in St. Augustine. It's often just a small note in history books. Barbara Vickers wanted to change that.
With help from important citizens, Vickers and her team created the St. Augustine Foot Soldiers Remembrance Project, Inc. This group was a non-profit organization. They chose Brian R. Owens to create the sculpture.
The goal was to build the monument, put it in the Plaza, and then give it to the city. This meant working closely with city officials at every step.
Brian R. Owens created drawings and a clay model of the monument for the project to approve. Once approved, he made the final bronze sculpture. The project team designed and built the stone base. The city helped by preparing the site, adding new concrete walkways and landscaping.
Fundraising for the monument began in 2008. Over two years, more than 220 people and 22 companies donated about $70,000 to cover all the costs. The monument was finished, and the base and sculpture were installed on the same day. A few days later, on May 14, 2011, it was officially shown to the public. Soon after, the monument became the property of the City of St. Augustine.
The Unveiling Ceremony
The monument was unveiled after a ceremony on Saturday, May 14, 2011. About 200 people attended. Because of heavy rain, the ceremony was held inside the old "Slave Market" structure. It was a lively event with many speakers and musicians.
One of the speakers was Dr. Robert B. Hayling, a leader of the Civil Rights Movement in St. Augustine. He was a dentist whose hands were badly broken by a mob because of his activism.
The main speaker was Henry (Hank) Thomas, another St. Augustine native. He was one of the first people arrested for trying to eat at Woolworth's in 1961. He later became one of the famous Freedom Riders. Hank Thomas shared how his strong beliefs helped him survive terrible violence.
The rain stopped just in time for the unveiling. Barbara H. Vickers, members of the project, and city officials revealed the monument. Afterward, there was live music and free food at a nearby restaurant for everyone.
The Audio Tour
The monument is part of a special system called the TOUCH (Tactile Orientation for Understanding Creativity and History) St. Augustine Braille Trail. This system helps both blind and sighted people learn about the city's history.
It includes an audio tour that you can listen to on your phone (even without internet), or on computers and smart devices. Stop number seven on the audio tour has a 5-minute recording. This recording tells you about the Civil Rights Movement in St. Augustine and explains the design of the monument.
Gallery
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Historical Plaque -
Donor Recognition Plaque
Images for kids
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A monument to those who protested peacefully in the early 1960s to advance the civil rights cause in St. Augustine, Florida
