Florida lawmaker files bill to move forward with creation of Black History museum in St. Johns County

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A Senate Republican on Thursday filed a proposal that would move forward with the creation of the Florida Museum of Black History in St. Johns County.

Sen. Tom Leek, an Ormond Beach Republican whose district includes St. Johns County, filed the bill (SB 308) for consideration during the 2026 legislative session, which will start in January.

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The Senate unanimously passed a similar bill during the 2025 session, but the House did not approve it.

Lawmakers in 2023 created a task force to provide recommendations for a Black history museum. The task force recommended putting the museum in St. Johns County. It would go on a site west of St. Augustine that formerly housed Florida Memorial University.

The bill would take a series of steps to establish the museum, including creating the Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors, which would work with a foundation to oversee the construction and operation of the facility.