First Muster 2019

On September 16, 1565, Admiral Don Bartolomé Menéndez de Avilés mustered the first militia troops in the continental United States to defend the newly founded Spanish pueblo of San Agustín de la Florida (present-day St. Augustine, FL) against pending attack by the French.  Don Bartolomé was Don Pedro’s brother and first Mayor of San Agustín.

Florida Living History, Inc., in partnership with the Florida National Guard and Florida Department of Military Affairs, will commemorate the 454th anniversary of the first mustering of America’s original citizen-soldiers on Friday, September 13, 2019.  They’ll also commemorate the 454th “birthday” of the National Guard of the United States.

This year’s commemoration will feature paintings of Florida history by award-winning artist and Florida native, Jackson Walker.

Admission to this Heritage Event and to the St. Francis Barracks Museum is free of charge to the public.