The inspiration to create the Florida Highwaymen Museum was born out of an endearing desire to provide a top-notch facility that would pay homage to our world-famous, hometown artisans in a way that is befitting of their 60-year legacy. Known as the Highwaymen, these self-taught African American painters sold their colorful landscapes along Florida's roadsides when they were excluded from other galleries due to segregation. Their paintings, capturing Florida's natural beauty with vibrant colors, became legendary. As part of a broader vision of the City of Fort Pierce and the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency (FPRA) to regenerate the Avenue D commercial corridor, the Museum, which will be located at 1234 Avenue D, is viewed as an integral component of that concept.
Prior to the Highwaymen occupying the 3,200 square-feet, two-story building, the FPRA's goal is to transform the building into a highly secured structure equipped with measures to preserve, protect and display valuable works of art. The anticipation surrounding this endeavor is expected to become a hallmark accomplishment, not only for the community but also for the remaining living Highwaymen. The FPRA and the Original Florida Hall of Fame Highwaymen Inc. have worked closely to develop the design and site plan for the new museum.
On July 9, 2024, construction officially began on the new Florida Highwaymen Museum, marking a major step in preserving the Highwaymen legacy.
More than 70 community leaders and supporters gathered to celebrate, looking forward to the museum becoming a place to learn about and appreciate the Highwaymen's impactful artwork.
The goal is to have at least one original work from each of the 26 first-generation men and women who painted these Florida landscapes. The renovations are expected to be completed in November 2024, in time for next year's annual Highwaymen celebration in February 2025.
November 2025 Update:
Progress continues steadily at the Highwaymen Museum site. Engineering has conducted multiple site visits and confirmed that the existing asphalt removal revealed a high-quality base rock, eliminating the need for replacement and helping keep the project on track. The backflow preventer has been successfully relocated, and coordination with FPUA is underway to complete the final plumbing tie-in.
Survey stakeouts for parking lot grading have been completed, and construction is poised to resume once the dumpster enclosure permit is approved. Grading will proceed in alignment with the proposed elevations, marking another step toward completion. As part of site improvements, the dumpster enclosure has been resized from 20' x 16' to a more efficient 10' x 8', with revised plans submitted for review. Additionally, the stairway has passed final inspection, further signaling positive momentum.
