Lincolnville, a historic neighborhood in St. Augustine, Florida, is a treasure trove of African American history and culture. Once a vibrant community with over 65 businesses, including hairdressers, grocers, doctors, dentists, and lawyers, Lincolnville was alive with activity. However, much of its rich history has been overshadowed by new construction and residential development, leaving the neighborhood quieter and less connected than it once was. Today, a passionate historian and genealogist, Gigi Best-Richardson, is working to rediscover and uplift Lincolnville’s legacy, ensuring its stories are not lost to time or gentrification.

Richardson’s role in preserving and reviving the Lincolnville area has come to fruition through her work as a genealogist and historian. She has spent years uncovering the names of individuals who were granted land leases on “Liberation Lot” after emancipation. Her goal is to help individuals uncover their heritage in order to bridge the gaps in history and honor the contributions of those who helped build Lincolnville into a thriving community. She is determined to shift the local focus from modern restructuring to celebrating the rich cultural heritage that defines the neighborhood.

Gigi and Skip Best-Richardson are among many other community leaders who share the goal of neighborhood revitalization. The Best-Richardson African Diaspora Literature & Culture Museum can be found on Washington Street, and is part of a project called “Mainstreet”, which aims to bring local businesses back to once-thriving neighborhoods.

The museum is dedicated to African diaspora literature and culture, showcasing artifacts, books, African clothing, and art. It serves as both a bookstore and a cultural hub, offering visitors the opportunity to learn about the historical significance of African American writers, artists, and clothing.

Through the collection, Gigi’s passion for history and literature becomes evident through the extent of items she has acquired in her personal journeys. While working at a military base library in Germany in the 1970s, she was introduced to the works of African American writers such as Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes. This sparked her interest in African diaspora literature and culture. As a self-described bibliophile, she discusses collecting rare books, including first editions of significant works like Booker T. Washington’s Up from Slavery and Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Dred, reflecting upon how holding history in her hands gave her life a greater purpose.

Richardson’s work also extends to the Gullah culture, a unique African American community whose heritage ties back to the southeastern United States. She discovered her own Gullah heritage just five years ago, tracing her family lineage to Hilton Head and Daufuskie Island. This personal connection has fueled her passion for educating others about the Gullah Corridor, which visitors will experience through striking Gullah artwork, as well as through Gigi Best-Richardson herself, who has a wealth of information on the subject.

Through their cultural center, genealogical research, and dedication to education, the Best-Richardsons are ensuring that the stories of Lincolnville and the African diaspora are not forgotten, inspiring others to explore and celebrate their own histories. The unification of cultural heritage and revival rings with hope that Lincolnville can return to being the thriving community it once was.