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For most of the day, Spanish men of arms had been arriving in St. Augustine from all over Florida. It was winter, and a cold wind swept in from the Atalantic driving dark clouds scudding low overhead. From the Castillo de St. Marcos, the fort, you could see the breakers foaming as they broke across the bar at the mouth of the inlet. A Spanish ship had just skirted the bar carrying Pedro Menendez de Aviles, Governor of La Florida. On the shore beside the fort, Spanish flags and banners snapped and popped in the wind. Soldiers in their cold armor watched the dark ship's approached through narrowed eyes. A ship's boat was launched. The oarsmen bending at their oars, pulled the boat through the angry chop, the governor standing in the bow. Excitement rattled through the spectators. A band began to play. The bishop of St. Augustine and a priest joined those ready to greet the governor. From the ship a canon fired a salute. It was answered from the shore.

This was the kick-off to a spectacular weekend produced by the Historical Florida Miltilia and the City of St. Augustine Historical Trust in February, 2004. For anybody who is enamoured by Florida's history, the Historic Florida Militia is an absolute panacea of people who love pagentry and the feel of Florida history brought to life.

HFR itself is a work of history. It began with Robert Hall organized a Civil War event in Tallahassee in 1956. Then in 1960 Hall tried to talk up a "Castle Guard" for the Castillo de San Marcos. The Fort superintendent was not yet ready for living history interpretation.

When Hall performed in the 1964 production of Cross and Sword outdoor drama, the 16th Century Company took inspiration. (We were actually to use the worn-out clothing from the production to start our Men of Menendez Company in 1982).

But first came 1974 and the rustle of drums for the Nation's Bicentennial. The East Florida Rangers were formed as an inexpensive start on uniforms and muskets (Brown Bess) acquisition. Drill was an unfamiliar thing but with help from experienced Civil War reenactor, Tom Ledford, and enthusiasm from George Carroll, we prepped for the British period in Florida History. With those two, Robert Hall and Ed Swanson, the Historic Florida Militia was formed as an umbrella organization for reenactment groups. The East Florida Rangers Company was listed and the 60th Regt. Royal Americans took shape as soon as Regimental coats could be afforded. Everyone pitched in with a catalog from the Sutler of Mount Misery in one hand, and a drill manual in the other. Bob's wife, Gudrun Hall,single handedly, produced 28 red coats for the 60th, supplying private, State and Federal needs. They were all worn on the field at Yorktown after some 400 events during the Bicentennial years. Florida was British during the revolution. The final event of the Bicentennuak took place in St. Augustine in 1983. The door was open for the interpretation of the Spanish periods in Florida.

The Garrison at the time of the English invasion of 1740 was a natural choice. The Castillo, of course, had been active with living history during the Bicentennial and now knew that the vital interpretive need lay with the Hispanic connection. The uniqueness of the Conquistador image in the U.S. had special attraction but nothing to do with the Fort.

The Men of Menendez formed at the Fountain of Youth. An archaeological dig has since proved the site to be the location of Menendez's first fortification. Annual events continue to be held there icluding the living history encampment at Drake's Raid,

Men reenact the attack on St. Augustine by Sir Francis Drake (1586) each year. Recent reenactments of some of the 17th Century Pirate raids have also brought the old section of St. Augustine to life. World War II Companies conduct several major events each year. Florida has never been the only playing field either as our Companies have been active all over the Eastern Seaboard. Living History has a strong base with Historic Florida Militia. More information can be found on our website:

Heritage of the Ancient Ones - up through the 1500's AD, interpreting Florida's first peoples.

Company of La Cruz -1528 AD, Panfilo de Narvaez 1528, Hernando DeSoto, 1539 and Pedro Menendez expeditions on Florida's Gulf Coast, 1568.

La Compaqma de Calderon - 1539AD Hernando DeSoto Expedition at De Soto National Memorial

The purpose of Drake's Men / Capt. John Tilden's Companie, Prince Rupert's Regiment of Foote (member, Sealed Knot) / Searle’s Buccaneers is the accurate portrayal of an English military camp from the late 16 th-century through the late 17 th-century.

Historic Florida Militia is a Federal 501c educational organization, and a not-for-profit, with the State of Florida. Aside from grant eligibility and communications, a $1,000,000 insurance policy comes with membership. A living history group can apply for membership with five men-at-arms who can pass an authenticity and safety inspection by the Central Committee.

Because the Companies are spread out over the State, much business is conducted by phone and e-mail, with the annual meeting held the first weekend in December in St. Augustine.