Kingsley Plantation is the oldest remaining plantation home in the state of Florida. It was once the home to Zephaniah Kingsley, a slaver who established plantations between South Carolina and Spanish Florida. The home is maintained by the National Park system as part of the Timucuan Preserve. It is a great place for visitors to stop in and learn about our nation’s dark past.
The site features 25 of the remaining 32 slave quarters, the main house, a barn, and a dock. There is plenty of signage throughout the site that tells the story of the people that once lived and worked here. Access to the main home is limited in order to help preserve the home. However, the ruins of the slave quarters are available to tour.
Table of Contents
Who was Zephaniah Kingsley, Jr?
Zephaniah Kingsley, Jr was a quaker born in England. When he was a child, his family immigrated to South Carolina. He was a slave trader and merchant who built several plantations in Spanish Florida.
Kingsley established Kingsley Plantation where he resided for 25 years. Kingsley was known for being a “lenient slaveholder”. He “allowed” his slaves to be hired out for odd jobs and gave them the opportunity to purchase their freedom.
The slaves who worked on the plantation followed the task system. Each had a quota that they had to achieve each day- once they met their quota they were free to go about their day. Some of the slaves had personal gardens which they tended and sold their vegetables.
The plantation owner was also in favor of interracial marriage… and polygamy. Four of his enslaved women served as his concubines. He had nine children from these relationships.
Kingsley claimed to have married one of these women. 1806, on a trip to Cuba, he purchased Anna Madgigine Jai, a 13-year-old girl from what is now Senegal. In 1811, he petitioned the colonial Spanish government to grant Anna and their three children freedom. Once Anna gained her freedom, she was awarded five acres in Florida. She purchased slaves to help farm it.
The Kingsley’s owned several plantations included one on Drayton Island, Laurel Grove, Kingsley Plantation, and several locations on the opposite side of the St. Johns River including St. Johns Bluff, San Jose, and Beauclerc.
Kingsley Plantation
In 1814, Kingsley and his wife, Anna, moved to a plantation on Fort George Island. The island is located in modern-day Jacksonville, Florida. The plantation featured a main house and a two-story structure called “Ma’am Anna House” where Anna and her four children lived.
Thirty-two cabins were constructed from tabby about 1/4 mile from the main house.
The plantation produced oranges, cotton, indigo, okra, and other vegetables.
Where is the Kingsley Plantation Located?
Kingsley Plantation is part of the Timucuan Preserve. The plantation home is located on Jacksonville’s northside just off of Heckscher Drive.
Address:
11676 Palmetto Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32226
The Timucuan Preserve is managed by the National Park Service and includes Fort Caroline National Memorial, Theodore Roosevelt Area, American Beach, and Cedar Point. One of our favorite local beaches, Blackrock, is also part of this preserve.
Visiting the Kingsley Plantation
Kingsley Plantation is open from 9 AM to 5 PM on Wednesday through Sunday.
It is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. It is open on MLK Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day.
Learn more about Florida’s National Parks!
Things to Know Before Visiting Kingsley Plantation
The Best Time to Visit Kingsley Plantation
The best time to visit is in the winter or spring when the weather is cooler and the bugs aren’t nearly as bad.
Entrance Fees
There is no fee to enjoy this park.
Cell Service
We had great cell service during our visit to the park.
Parking
Parking for Kingsley Plantation is available in a dirt lot near the plantation home.
Pet Policy
Pets are allowed on all trails and outside areas however, they are not permitted indoors.
Distance from Major Cities
- Orlando, FL – 145 miles
- Tampa, FL – 225 miles
- Miami, FL – 355 miles
- Atlanta, GA – 360 miles
- Charlotte, NC – 390 miles
- Birmingham, AL – 505 miles
Distance from Nearby National Parks
- Everglades National Park – 390 miles
- Congaree National Park – 285 miles
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park – 475 miles
- Biscayne National Park – 395 miles
- Dry Tortugas National Park – 520 miles
What is there to do Nearby?
- Black Rock Beach
- Little Talbot Island
- Big Talbot Island
- Huguenot Memorial Park
- Kingsley Plantation
- Jacksonville Zoo
- Yellow Bluff Fort
- El Faro Memorial
Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure
6 replies on “Discover Historic Kingsley Plantation”
[…] Center, which describes the natural and cultural history of the preserve’s island home; and Kingsley Plantation, which includes the oldest standing plantation house in Florida as well as several original slave […]
[…] Kingsley Plantation […]
[…] time to have conversations about slavery, segregation, and equality. Smiley and I took a trip to Kingsley Plantation which is the oldest standing plantation in the state of Florida. Not only is the main house still […]
[…] Kingsley Plantation […]
[…] dunes, and hardwood hammocks. Nestled in this iconic Floridian landscape, you’ll find Kingsley Plantation, a plantation home dating back to the […]
[…] suggest visiting Kingsley Plantation, instead. The plantation is located several miles down the road from the cruise port, but it is […]