Susan Richbourg Parker
I hold a PH.D. and M.A. in U.S. and Latina American colonial history and a B.A. in Spanish. I have focused on projects about the history of Florida, with focus on early St. Augustine since 1987.
Since 2016 I have been a self-employed consultant for historical research projects, exhibits and media projects. I worked with UFHSA as research director for the documentary Secrets of Spanish Florida; wrote the pending nomination for the Governor’s House Lot to the National Register of Historic Places; provided research and initial ideas for the monument to US Colored Troops proposed by UFHSA for the west side of the Governor’s House Lot; provided research for the 2023 gala and for the observance of the transfer at Gov. House of Spanish East Florida to the U.S. I served on the Confederate Monument Contextualization Committee for the City of St. Augustine.
- 2007 – 2016 – Executive Director, St. Augustine Historical Society. In addition to administering a well- respected non-profit corporation (incorporated in 1883), I oversaw the care and pre4servation of four colonial buildings. SAHS’s buildings were open daily to visitors and available for weddings and other events. Created public programs and wrote grants for fund them. Wrote federal and state grants for preservation projects and library services.
- 2002 – 2007 Consultant for Florida Division of Historical Resources and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for 18-county region for cultural and preservation grants, National Register of Historic Places, historic marker program, State and federal laws regarding historic properties; lead scholar for National Endowment for Humanities teacher workshops sponsored by Florida Humanities Council.
- 1987 – 1997 Historian, Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board (State of Florida). Research documents written and received in Spanish St. Augustine, land records. Researcher for Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board for Spanish Quarter and HSAPB’s properties t undergird archaeological research projects, and grants; ex officio appointee to City of St. Augustine Historic Preservation Board. HSAPB dissolved by Florida Legislature
- 1991 – 2009 Adjunct professor at University of Florida, University of North Florida, University of South Florida St. Petersburg.
- 1996 to 2022 wrote weekly history column for St. Augustine Record. Since 2022 I continue to write column for SAHS’s website.
I have assisted the City of St. Augustine and St. Johns County on historically oriented exhibits and projects, preservation projects, and archival and artifact care. I served as the chair of the St. Johns county Historic Resources Board. I am currently Clerk Historian for St. Johns County Clerk of Court and Comptroller.