The Kingsley Plantation on Palmetto Avenue offers visitors a unique perspective on Jacksonville in the plantation era. During the early years of the nineteenth century, slaves were brought in to Jacksonville to work on the plantation in this region. The Kingsley Plantation, which is now under the administration of the National Park Service, tells the exceptional story of Zephaniah Kingsley who was a notable plantation owner but also quite unlike the others on account of his sympathetic outlook towards the slaves who toiled for him.
Kingsley's wife, Anna Madgigine Jai, was one of the many slaves who were bought by him. After she was freed in 1811, Anna was actively involved in the management of the plantation and went on to become a major land owner in Jacksonville. At the Kingsley Plantation, you can learn about all this and much more through a visit to the Planter's Residence and the legendary slave quarters.
The Planter's Residence, which is where Zephaniah Kingsley lived, dates back to 1798 and contains several informative artifacts which allow a fresh insight into what life in that period was actually like. You can even view the Kitchen House, which is located at a distance from the house with the original objective of preventing kitchen fires from spreading into the house. The Garden contains a crop of Sea Island cotton for most of the year and allows you to learn about how cultivation crops were planted. You can also visit the historic Barn which is built of tabby, an oyster shell concrete, widely used in the construction of many coastal plantations.
However, the most memorable of all the sights you can view at the Kingsley Plantation, is probably that of the Slave Quarters. Here, you will find the ruins of 23 tabby cabins which tell a long-forgotten story about the deplorable conditions the slaves lived in. one of these cabins has even been restored to its original appearance to grant visitors a clearer view.
You can even participate in the Archaeology Day at the Kingsley Plantation, to learn about the extensive archaeological restoration that has gone into the present day plantation, and also watch archeologists at work. Admission to the Kingsley Plantation is free of cost and you can visit anytime between 9 am and 5 pm, all through the week. The staff is well-informed and always at hand to answer any questions you may have.
For further information, you can call the Kingsley Plantation at (904) 251-3537.
The Kingsley Plantation
11676 Palmetto Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32226
