St. Augustine, FL – Those gathered at the Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum in historic downtown St. Augustine on Saturday morning may have felt like they’d stepped back in time. As a reenactment of the 1821 “Transfer of Authority” took place formally transferring Florida to the United States from Spanish rule, onlookers watched in fascination, eagerly commemorating the moment with photos and video.

Historic interpreters attend the Transfer of Authority ceremony on Saturday, July 10, 2021.

Dignitaries from Spain attended the formal ceremonial reenactment as did Florida’s Secretary of State Laurel Lee, President and CEO of Enterprise Florida Jamal Sowell, Florida Representative and future Speaker of the Florida House Paul Renner, Florida Representative Cyndi Stevenson and local dignitaries from St. Johns County and the City of St. Augustine.

Florida Rep. Paul Renner with wife Adriana and daughter Abigail.

 

 

Emceed by City of St. Augustine Mayor Tracy Upchurch, the reenactment was one of multiple events taking place throughout the weekend to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Territory of Florida’s transfer into the United States of America, featuring living history interpreters, historical encampments at the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park with the Historic Florida Militia, and the ceremonial changing of the flags at the St. Francis Barracks on the Florida National Guard Parade Grounds.

Dignitaries from Spain attend the Transfer of Authority ceremony reenactment on Saturday, July 10, 2021.

Florida would be granted statehood on March 3, 1845.

Additional event celebrating St. Johns County’s 200th Anniversary include the ‘St. Johns County: Then, Now and the Future Symposium’ on July 17, 2021 from 2-4 p.m. at the Lewis Auditorium on the Flagler College campus, the 200th Anniversary Photography Exhibition and the 200th Anniversary Time Capsule Ceremony.

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Featured Photo: City of St. Augustine Mayor Tracy Upchurch emcees the Transfer of Authority reenactment ceremony at the Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum in St. Augustine, Florida on July 10, 2021.