Exposing History: Color, Textiles and Taste

A reception immediately follows a speaker panel featuring Dr. Chau Kelly, Associate Professor of History and Graduate Program at University of North Florida, Saundra Morene, President of Jacksonville Gullah Geechee Nation CDC and Susan Sernaker, Lead Ranger at Kingsley Plantation.

This event is free, open to the public and supported with funds from The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. Exhibition on view until Dec. 10.

Laura Mongiovi has utilized the historic features of an 18th century home, Tovar House, to present the often overlooked and under told histories related to northeast Florida enslaved labor. Crops such as indigo, sugar, cotton and rice occupied the northeast Florida landscape during colonization, bringing wealth to many through an elaborate system of oppression. In addition to agriculture, trade for fur and hide demanded the labor of indigenous people. Mongiovi’s sculptural and textile work raises awareness how needs and desires can exploit a labor system. To further the conversation, Heather Hodges and Susan Sernaker will discuss the histories of enslaved labor as well as the cultural heritage that resulted from the transatlantic slave trade.

Location: Oldest House Museum Complex, 14 St. Francis Street, St. Augustine. Open daily 10:00 – 5:00. Parking is available in the nearby lot and street. The speaker panel will take place on the grassy grounds. The exhibition is located on the second floor of Tovar House. The second floor is not wheelchair accessible.

If attending the speaker panel, please be aware that the parking lot will fill quickly. Additional parking may only be available on the street in the surrounding area, a few blocks away from the site. The site is located in an area with narrow, brick roads.

For further information, please visit The St. Augustine Historical Society website staughs.com

• General