The Nation's Oldest Port has a rich and multi-cultural heritage related to arts, craftsmanship, architecture, foodways and more.

FloridaNHA.com explores the reasons why parts of St. Johns, Duval and Flagler counties are nationally significant and should become a National Heritage Area (NHA).




Nation's Oldest Port NHA Power Point       Stakeholder Survey
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Stakeholders

Stakeholders in National Heritage Areas include:

Participation in National Heritage Areas is voluntary!

Stakeholders receive help to achieve their own goals for resource enhancement, conservation, and promotion.

Through the National Park Service, up to $10 million in 50-percent match funding is available to a National Heritage Area over a period of 15 years.

There is great flexibility in potential uses for the federal funding, with the exception of property acquisition, which is precluded.

For every $1 of federal match funding, the existing National Heritage Areas have leveraged an average of $9 in other funding. Portions of this funding direct, indirect and induced--goes to local businesses.

Sustainable management of heritage tourism and nature tourism brings long-term economic benefits to designated regions while protecting cultural and natural resources.

Funding for the Community

Some examples of locally selected projects that could receive funding for the benefit of the community include:


Lodging in historic and scenic settings is a hallmark of this region, and can be promoted for sustainable heritage tourism.

This region will be the first National Heritage Area to celebrate America's oldest continually occupied port city. Spanish, British, African American, Minorcan and Native American heritages that span centuries will be distinguishing themes of our area.

The rich heritage of the region is represented by numerous historic buildings, archaeological sites, and traditional cultural places.

A National Heritage Area will help community partners work together to increase recognition of the places that make our region unique.

The St. Augustine region also has many natural attractions.

Enhanced coordination of nature-based tourism and recreation such as bird watching, beach combing, fishing, kayaking, and other recreational activities brings economic benefits to the region.

A NHA provides a context to promote our region's unique traditional foods, crafts and cultural festivals.

NHA Working Group: Volunteers, Stakeholders and Scholars

American Assoc. of University Women/Flagler County; Anchor Light, Inc.; Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve; GTM National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Advisory Group; Flagler County; Flagler County Historical Society; Flagler Beach Historical Museum, Inc.; Florida Agricultural Museum; Florida Depart. of State / Division of Historic Resources; Florida Heritage Book Festival; Florida National Guard, Florida Sea Grant; Friends of A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway; Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area; Heritage Crossroads; Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program; National Park Service; City of Flagler Beach; City of Palm Coast; Town of Marineland; Ponte Vedra Chamber of Commerce; Slow Food First Coast; St. Augustine Archaeological Association; St. Augustine Attractions Association; St. Augustine Historical Society; St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, Inc.; St. Augustine Port, Waterway and Beach District; St. Augustine Yacht Club; St. Johns County; St. Johns County Board of Realtors; St. Johns County/St. Augustine Builders Assoc.; City of St. Augustine Beach; City of St. Augustine; St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce; St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce Historic St. Augustine Area Council; St. Johns River Water Management District; University of Florida; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Matt Armstrong; Denise Bevan; Kristee Booth; Robin Burchfield; Olivia Bush; William Butler; Tom Bledsoe; Troy Blevins; Curt Bowman; Elyse Brady; Jan Brewer; Keith Brown; Brendan Burke; Marsha Chance; Carrianne Churmblo; Krissie Cleary; Martin Cleary; Mary Ann Clark; Michael Cunningham; Dr. Kathleen Deagan; Andy DeLorenzo; Kathy Dvornick; Art Dycke; Beau Falgout; Kathy Fleming; George Gardner; Kathryn Getz; Mark Giblin; Dr. Thomas Graham; Dr. Patricia Griffin; Carl Halbirt; Glenn Hastings; Paul Haydt; Marty Healy; George Hanns; Peggy Heiser; Milissa Holland; Jay Humphreys; Roy Jaeger; Pat Jaeger; Frances Keiser; Hugh Keiser; Barb Kelly; Judith Kent; Leslee Keys; Monica Rowland Kile; Linda Krepp; James E. “Ed” Long; Hester Longstreet; Ryan Mauch; Dr. Maia McGuire; Phil McDaniel; Amy Gilboy Meide; Chuck Meide; Mollie Malloy; Sacha Martin; Marcella Matthaei; Jane Mealy; Greg Moore; Robin Moore; Caryn Miller; J.B. Miller; Sarah Miller; Christine Newman; Sallie O’Hara; Walter O’Kon; Jose Papa; Dr. Susan Parker; Sandra Parks; Beau Phillips; Bruce Piatek; Fred Pirkle; Teri Pruden; John Regan; Vickie Renna; Tom Rivers; Barbara Roberts; Max Royle; Nancy Russell; Bill Ryan; Nancy Sachs; Andrea Samuels; Bob Samuels; John Seibel; Herschel Shepard; Melissa Sheets; Lenora Silver; Mike Shirley; Paula Sisson; Wil Smith; Dana Ste. Claire; Patsy Stephens; Karen Strandhagen; Lea Stokes; Tim Telfer; Dr. Sam Turner; Ray Tyner; Richard Villadoniga; Leslie White; Catherine Wilson, Michael Wilson; Charles Wolfe; Marilyn Wiles; David Wiles; Oel Wingo; Chrystal Yates; Shelly Young; Janet Zimmerman

Contact Leslie White, NHA Coordinator, for more information 765-610-1684 or lwhite@staugustinelighthouse.com