Originally constructed in 1827, Fort King is associated with Native American removal
policies, the Second Seminole Wars (years), 19th century military installation lifeways, and the cultural interaction between Native American Indians, African Americans, and European Americans.
The Fort King Heritage Foundation is a 501(c)3 based on Ocala, Florida, that strives to preserve, protect, and promote the Fort King National Landmark Site. We are proud to partner with the City of Ocala and Marion County in our efforts at making Fort King National Historic Landmark a living history site that educates and informs the public of the important cultural, historical, and natural resources found at the park, and protect and develop said resources for future generations. The reconstruction of Fort King serves as an ongoing exploration of our past, informing our understanding of historical events and how they shaped us individually and collectively. Our goals are to continue to improve and build on these experiences and the site complex itself by overseeing the following construction projects:
- 19th Century Blacksmith Shop
- New Museum and Education Center
- Archaeological Resource Center
Smells and sounds from 19th century lifeways, workshops under a thatched roofed Chickee Hut designed and made by contemporary Seminole Tribe members, and accurate reenactments of military skirmishes are just some of the life learning experiences currently offered at Fort King. Each year, over 3,000 K-12 students visit Fort King during out-of-school programs. With contributions from the community, we will not only be able to achieve our reconstruction goals, but will also be able to provide more engaging and impactful learning experiences for visitors to our local historic treasure.