Boardwalk Talk at Beaches Museum to explore area’s slave history

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Craig Buettinger will present a talk titled “The Inspector and Fumigator at Mayport: Florida Lawmakers’ Effort to Stop Stowaway Slave Escapes on the St. Johns River in the 1850s” at 6 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Beaches Museum.

In 1855, the Florida legislature created the office of Inspector and Fumigator at Mayport in an effort to stem the rising number of escapes by enslaved men who stowed away on ships departing Jacksonville for northern ports. This presentation will explore the largely unknown history of the rise, extent and distinctive features of slavery in Jacksonville, tell what can be uncovered about the escapes (which were by nature hidden and secretive) and delve into the work of the official charged with preventing them.

This event is free to Beaches Museum members with a suggested $5 donation for nonmembers. The Beaches Museum is located at 381 Beach Blvd. in Jacksonville Beach. For more information, call (904) 241-5657.