5 Must-Know Civil Rights Landmarks in Florida

While Florida may not always be featured in discussions about the Civil Rights Movement, its significance—especially in St. Augustine—was pivotal to the Civil Rights Act's passage.

A notable event known as the 'swim-in' in St. Augustine sparked the momentum for the Civil Rights Act. On June 18, 1964, both Black and white swimmers entered the 'whites-only' pool at Monson Motor Lodge. In an attempt to clear the pool, manager Jimmy Brock threw hydrochloric acid into the water, and the striking image of this event brought national and international attention to the violence faced by civil rights activists. Just two weeks later, on July 2, 1964, the U.S. Senate approved the Civil Rights Act, which President Lyndon Johnson signed into law.

Florida also has a rich history of civil rights activists who bravely fought for fair pay, educational access, and voting rights, often at great personal cost. The following five sites in Florida commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, inviting visitors to delve deeper into the state’s—and the nation’s—civil rights narrative.

1. Historic Hampton House, Miami

The film One Night in Miami captures Miami’s role in the Civil Rights Movement, illustrating the moment when Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke gathered at the Historic Hampton House Hotel to celebrate Ali’s victory over Sonny Liston in 1964. Although Miami Beach was segregated at the time, Black visitors were welcomed at the Hampton House, located in the vibrant Brownsville neighborhood of Miami.

Recognized as a Green Book location, the hotel was also a significant site for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who developed and rehearsed his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech here before the March on Washington in 1963. Today, the Historic Hampton House functions as a museum and cultural arts center, offering tours for individuals and groups (advance online reservations are recommended) along with various community events, including art exhibitions and live performances.

2. Newtown, Sarasota

Located just a few miles north of downtown Sarasota, Newtown is a historic community founded in the 1900s during the era of Jim Crow laws, which enforced segregation against Black Americans. One of the key figures in Newtown’s civil rights movement was Neil Humphrey Sr., the then-president of Sarasota’s NAACP, who organized wade-ins to push for the desegregation of Sarasota’s beaches, a change that came with the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

The Newtown Heritage Trail features both self-guided driving tours and trolley tours that celebrate the contributions of the neighborhood’s Black activists. Visitors can explore the historic Leonard Reid House, constructed in 1926 by one of Sarasota’s early Black pioneers, Leonard Reid, or check out the Greater Newtown Historical Gallery, which houses collections of family photographs and various artifacts from Newtown's past.

3. Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Memorial Park and Museum, Mims

Situated in Mims, just over an hour south of Orlando, the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Park and Museum honors a dedicated couple who were key figures in the civil rights movement. In 1934, Harry established the first NAACP chapter in Brevard County and campaigned for equal rights for Black Floridians, a fight that ultimately led to the loss of their teaching positions and, tragically, their lives.

On Christmas night in 1951, a bomb planted by the Ku Klux Klan exploded under their home, injuring the couple. Harry succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital in Sanford, and Harriette passed away nine days later. Visitors to the museum can explore the couple’s remarkable lives and their contributions to the Civil Rights Movement through various exhibits, lectures, and storytelling events.

4. Lincolnville Museum and the Accord Civil Rights Museum, St. Augustine

As a pivotal location in Florida’s civil rights history, St. Augustine is home to the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center, which commemorates Lincolnville, the city’s all-Black town established in 1866. This vibrant community boasted Black-owned businesses, schools, and entertainment venues. The museum also features exhibits highlighting the civil rights activists who organized sit-ins and protests throughout St. Augustine.

Located just a few blocks away, the ACCORD Civil Rights Museum showcases a vast array of historical documents, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s fingerprinted jail card and the original sign from Monson Motor Lodge. This museum is a key site on the ACCORD Freedom Trail, which comprises over 30 historic homes, churches, and protest locations throughout St. Augustine.

5. Ritz Theatre and Museum, Jacksonville

From the 1920s to the 1960s, Jacksonville’s LaVilla neighborhood thrived as a center for Black businesses and performers, earning the title “The Harlem of the South.” The Ritz Theatre was at the center of this vibrant scene, featuring legendary artists such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Ray Charles. In 1999, The Ritz Theatre and Museum was established on the original site of the 1920s Ritz Theatre to celebrate Jacksonville’s Black heritage.

Among Jacksonville’s most prominent Black figures were brothers James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson, who wrote the lyrics and composed the music for the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” This song was embraced by the NAACP during the Civil Rights Movement and continues to be performed at major events, including the Super Bowl. Today, the Ritz Theatre and Museum features a special exhibit and an animatronics show dedicated to the Johnson brothers, along with live performances year-round.