Friends of Hemming Park: 150 Years of Hemming Park

On Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 Hemming Park will celebrate 150 years.

Originally designated as a public square, the 1.5-acre parcel that now comprises Hemming Park is Jacksonville's first and oldest park. On January 23, 1866 it was sold to the city for $10 by the heirs of Isaiah D. Hart, the founder of Jacksonville.

On Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hemming Park will celebrate 150 years of history and share more about the exciting future of Jacksonville's oldest public park.

Enjoy music, acrobats, live painting, historic photos and trivia contest, kids activities, food truck fare and an "ostrich" cart race/food drive to benefit Clara White Mission.

Become a member of Friends of Hemming Park for just $10 (reg. $25) and enjoy a special members-only social in the atrium of City Hall including one free drink, a cash bar, cupcakes and updates on the future of Hemming Park from our CEO Vince Cavin.

Event Schedule
Saturday, Jan. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hemming Park & City Hall
Downtown Jacksonville

11:15 a.m. – Friends of Hemming Park CEO Vince Cavin will share future plans for Hemming Park at the members-only social inside City Hall.

12 p.m. – Dr. Wayne Wood will test the historic knowledge of local media personalities including Charlie Patton of The Florida Times-Union, Will Henley of EU Jacksonville, Joe White of Jacksonville Magazine and Max Marbut of Financial News & Daily Record.

1 p.m. – The “ostrich” shopping cart race and food drive benefitting Clara White Mission will begin at the corner of Hogan St. and Monroe St.

1:30 p.m. – Enjoy a free, one-hour historic walking tour of Hemming Park and Downtown Jacksonville. "Imagine it's Jan. 23, 1885 and tourists are flooding into Jacksonville for the winter season. Twenty-five passenger trains are arriving each day bringing guests from the North. Walk with one of the St. James Hotel guests to hear about 'The Winter City in a Summer Land.'"

The outdoor event is free and open to the public. Kids and pets are welcome.

Click here to learn more and RSVP on Facebook.

Click here to register for the "ostrich" cart race to benefit Clara White Mission.