March on Washington

coastonetoursllc
Aug 5
3 min read

The Coast One Tours LLC Experience

History that Moves YouAfrican American Experience on Amelia Island Fl by Coast One Tours LLCPreserving and Sharing the Legacy of American Beach & Beyond

Issue: II- March on Washington 2025

Spotlight on Black History

Peck High School

(Fernandina Beach, Florida)

Historical Rosenwald School

Established in 1927 as Nassau County’s Rosenwald School for African American students, originally serving grades 1–12. It was named after William Henderson Peck, a prominent early principal and advocate for Black education. Closed in 1969 following desegregation and lay vacant until community-led preservation efforts began in the 1980s. The site is now the Peck Center Complex, housing nonprofit offices, community classes, and a permanent exhibit celebrating its legacy, known as the Peck Exhibit at 516 S. 10th Street in Fernandina Beach, FL.

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Community Corner

Spotlight: Monthly Volunteer & Support

Every 2nd Saturday of the month, a dedicated team of volunteers from Coast One Tours LLC, Elm Street Sportsman Club, C.R.E.E.D, and many community members come together to support the Barnabas Food Distribution efforts.

Their ongoing commitment helps ensure that families in need across our community receive essential food and care with dignity. We are deeply grateful for their time, energy, and heart.

Thank you to all who continue to show up and make a difference.

Community Corner cont’d

This year marks the 90th Anniversary of the founding establishment of American Beach! “Celebrating Sankofa

to Go Forward.”

The American Beach Property Owners and Association Members continue to organize a variety of meaningful events. We invite you to explore the full schedule of activities and join as we reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and move forward together.

🔗 View upcoming events here: historicamericanbeach.com/events

American Beach Community Center

Aug 16, 2025, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

1600 Julia Street, Fernandina Beach FL 32034, USA

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Partner Spotlight:

Coast One Tours Partners with Keep Nassau Beautiful to Protect American Beach

Coast One Tours has proudly joined forces with the American Beach Community and Keep Nassau Beautiful to help preserve and protect the historic American Beach through ongoing clean-up efforts.

Giving back to the community is at the heart of our mission, and we’re honored to play a role in caring for a place that holds such rich history and cultural significance.

This Month's Featured - Coast One Tours options changed Small Tour to Island-Wide Heritage Tour

"The American Beach Experience"

Walk in the Footsteps of Giants

Explore the rich history of American Beach aka “The Negro Ocean Play Ground. Discover its role in the Negro Motorist Green Book. The legacy of the Middle Passage, the influence of Gullah/Geechee culture, and hear personal stories from your tour guide Ron Miller, who grew up visiting this historic shoreline.

This is more than a tour—it’s a tribute to heritage, healing, and the generations who walked this ground before us.

“Our recent exploration of Amelia Island, Florida with Coastal One Tours, was primarily the history of the experience of blacks on Amelia Island. It was informative especially in tying place to history and very much so in the American beach area. We learned some of American Beach's history from the time of its purchase by Mr. A. L. Lewis becoming a resort and respite for black vacationers and land owners in the 1900's through MaVynee Betsch's, the great granddaughter of Mr. A. L. Lewis, incredible effort and success in the preservation of "Nana Dune" in the later part of the 19th century into today's currently developing history.

Our historian, Mr. Ron Miller, our primary historian and Mrs. Avis Miller, our able driver and ancillary historian, continued to show us other sites on the island and provide both historical information and personal reflections. It was both an historical tour and real time insight into black lives on Amelia Island. Fantastic.!” J.L.

Tours Availability

7 Days a Week

Time: 0900 am - 5:00 pm

Choose a Time that works best for you

Book online or by phone. Group & private tours available.

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Leadership Highlight 🎓 Congratulations Avis Miller for completing the Inaugural Amelia Island Ambassador class.