Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve Finalizes Plans to Relocate the Fort Caroline Memorial

News Release Date: September 3, 2026

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve today announced it has finalized plans to relocate the Fort Caroline Memorial Exhibit. The park will create a new outdoor memorial near the park's visitor center to commemorate the French settlers who tried to establish a colony in Florida in the 1560s. The project will address damage to the memorial from Hurricane Ian and reduce the memorial's vulnerability to recurring flooding.

"We are excited to reach this milestone in the relocation of the Fort Caroline Memorial exhibit," said Superintendent Chris Hughes. "This project will help us address storm damage while improving the visitor experience and safety. Relocating the memorial to higher ground will also reduce its vulnerability to future flooding while minimizing impacts to other park resources."

In March, the National Park Service released an environmental assessment, examining alternatives and environmental impacts associated with the proposed relocation of the Fort Caroline Memorial Exhibit. In June, the NPS issued a finding of no significant impact on the natural, cultural or human environment. The park will build the new memorial in an upland location away from the floodplain with views of the St. Johns River.

The funding for this project comes from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328) which provided disaster supplemental funding for the relocation of the fort exhibit. The NPS receives disaster supplement funding from Congress to help with the costs of natural disasters. In 2023, the omnibus funding bill included $1.5 billion in supplemental disaster funding for the NPS to help parks affected by recent natural disasters. The funding is intended to cover the costs of repairing and rebuilding ecosystems, infrastructure and historically significant structures. It also aims to provide resiliency funds to better protect national park sites and communities and to ensure that national parks are built to withstand future storms.

The public can view the FONSI and other project materials on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/FortCaroline

Visit Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve online at www.nps.gov/timu or follow the park on Facebook and Instagram.

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About the National Park Service. Established in 1916, the National Park Service preserves America's most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of current and future generations. Learn more at nps.gov .

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