ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — This article features a video from a previous story.
St. Johns Countyand the St. Johns County Parks Foundation will host a community meeting to discuss the plans for the relocation of the famous beach cottage, known as the Canright House, where Martin Luther King Jr. once stayed.
The meeting starts at 5 p.m. Feb. 8, at the Anastasia Island Branch Library, 124 Sea Grove Main St.
The house is where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was scheduled to stay as part of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1964 until it was vandalized and fired upon by racist segregationists.
Patti Berry and her husband, David Manaute purchased the Canright house in 2021. The house was shelter to many civil rights activists including Dorothy Cotton and C.T. Vivian, Dr. King's right hand man.
The St. Johns County Parks Foundation secured state funds to relocate the historic house, donated by the current property owner, from its current location at 5480 Atlantic View to Windswept Acres Park, located at 5385 A1A S. St Augustine.
St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Director Ryan Kane said the park is home to a former Windswept Beach Cottage that represents the masonry homes that were common to the area in the 1950s.
“St. Johns County is excited to secure a significant part of our country’s history at one of our community parks that sits on a scenic highway," Kane said in a press release. "Windswept Acres Park has the public access and resources to support the Canright House relocation.”
Foundation Executive Director Michael Payne said the impact that Dr. King has had on the American landscape and the world is immeasurable.
"Preserving a small part of his legacy for future generations in St. Johns County is something that should make all county residents proud, knowing that we are connected to this tremendous American legacy," Payne said in a press release. "Although this will be more of a static exhibit, the Foundation is grateful to have been able to facilitate resources, will and people to move this historic landmark to its projected new home."