Bust Out on The Freedom Trail

Formerly Dr. Robert Hayling's dentist office, currently the ACCORD Civil Rights Museum

Want to bust out of your house but continue to practice social distancing?  Want to connect with other humans without actually talking to any?  Want to learn about St. Augustine's amazing Civil Rights History from the comfort of your own car or solitary stroll?  Then take the Freedom Trail! (Located in Lincolnville, downtown St. Augustine).

Over thirty sites are on the Freedom Trail, most located within blocks of each other.   The first site on the list was Dr. Robert Hayling's Dental Office.  Dr. Hayling was a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement who was instrumental in getting Dr. Martin Luther King to come to St. Augustine.  Due to his stance,  Dr. Hayling eventually lost his successful practice and nearly lost his life.

ACCORD Civil Rights Museum building

His dental office was one of the headquarters for The Civil Rights Movement.  It is now the ACCORD (Anniversary to Commemorate the Civil Rights Demonstrations) Museum. If not for The Freedom Tour, all of these buildings would just blend into the neighborhood; One would never know the amazing history  that took place within their walls.
 
Under "normal"circumstances one could get a Freedom Trail map from the ACCORD Museum  or the St. Augustine Visitor's Information Center.  But lucky for us (this being anything but normal times!) the Freedom Trail is still easily accessible.   Every site has an interpretive sign out front.

Interpretative sign on St. Augustine's Freedom Trail

And if you want more information, dial the freedom trail phone number and enter the stop number located at the bottom of the sign.  You'll hear stories and first hand accounts that truly bring the bravery of the struggle alive to the listener.

 * (TIPS TO NOT LOOK LIKE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING ON THE FREEDOM TRAIL : You Must press the "#" before the number for it to connect correctly.  So on the sign above, you would press "#101")

 A list of the Freedom Trail  sites can be found on St. Augustine.Com. 

But even easier is bringing up the tour on your phone by going to:

accordfreedomtrail.oncell.com .

This website lists all of the tour locations right on your phone .  You can press on each site to hear the detailed stories straight from your phone. 

The "Civil Rights House"

Truly not to be missed is stop #111, known as the "Civil Rights House."  Why is it called this?  You'll have to find out on the tour!

Even if you can't make it out of your house, it is still fascinating to hear the stories from the website. 

ACCORD'S Mission:
"Remembering, Recognizing, and Honoring all those who risked their lives to attain civil rights for all and celebrating pivotal role in the Civil Rights Act of 1964."




Photos and Text by FPAN Staff: Robbie Boggs