JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The oldest park in Jacksonville turns 158 years old on Thursday, Jan. 25, and the community is invited to take part in celebrations all week long.
From Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., people are encouraged to have lunch in James Weldon Johnson Park to honor the park's birthday.
Food trucks and local vendors will be available for people to support, along with live music on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Here's the lineup of vendors and musicians who will be in attendance.
Monday
- Good Food 24/7 & Rosita's Latin Flavor
- Live at Lunch: Jesse Montoya
Tuesday
- Hibashi Party & Pizza Pitt Stop
Wednesday
- Twisted Okie, 904 Saffron & Viva Mi Familia
- There will also be free cupcakes, while supplies last.
- Live at Lunch: Joe Watts
People who wish to attend Wednesday's celebrations are asked to RSVP here.
Thursday (Official birthday)
- Planet Pizza, Pura Vida & 904 Gyros
Friday
- Jag Boilers, Moore's BBQ, Hot Box Pretzels & Sunshine Poppers
- Live at Lunch: Rip Currents
History of James Weldon Johnson Park
On Jan. 25, 1866, the City of Jacksonville acquired the land of what is now James Weldon Johnson Park for $10 from the heirs of Isaiah Hart. At the time, the park was known as City Park.
In 1869, the park was renamed St. James Park after the St. James Hotel was built across the street.
In 1899, the park was renamed Hemming Park after the Civil War veteran Charles C. Hemming who donated a Confederate monument to the park in 1898.
The monument was removed in June 2020, and the park was then renamed to honor civil rights activist, lawyer, educator and composer James Weldon Johnson.
Johnson was born in Jacksonville on June 17, 1871.
He attended Atlanta University, graduating with honors in 1984, before returning to Jacksonville where he taught at the then-segregated Stanton Elementary School, his alma mater. He would go on to become principal.
While at Stanton, Johnson founded the first Black daily newsletter, The Daily American, where he wrote about racial inequality, and also became the first African American to pass the Florida bar in 1897.
Johnson is credited with writing the hymn "Lift Every Voice and Sing" to honor Booker T. Washington. Johnson's brother, John Rosamond, composed the music for the song.
The song was performed in Jacksonville for the first time in 1900 as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln's birthday.
More than a century later, the song is still known as "The Black National Anthem," a title adopted by the NAACP.
