amy.gress, Author at St Augustine Light House

Davit and Goliath; Landing a Big Fish on Light Tackle the Archaeological Way

Davit and Goliath; Landing a Big Fish on Light Tackle the Archaeological Way

amy.gress2019-02-05T13:06:53-05:00February 5th, 2019|

By Brendan Burke, 2012 This paper documents the raising of two cannons from the Storm Wreck, 8SJ5459, during the 2011 LAMP field season and the logistics involved in this process. Apparatus and recovery methods were designed to provide an in-house lifting capability, allowing the archaeological team more flexibility in recovery technique, timing of the operation, and tools used. Equipment was limited to commonly-available components in order to minimize cost and increase flexibility in the use of [...]

Keeper William Russell: From Old Spanish Watchtower to St. Augustine Lighthouse

Keeper William Russell: From Old Spanish Watchtower to St. Augustine Lighthouse

amy.gress2019-01-31T12:10:42-05:00January 31st, 2019|

By Jay Smith “Where’s the elevator in this thing?” A young woman who couldn’t be more than 30 asks me as I stand at the top of the tower welcoming her to the observation gallery. You might be amazed at how often that question gets raised during a normal day. Granted, I have gained a new appreciation for Paul Pelz for having the forethought to add landings to his design for our Lighthouse! What we [...]

Minorcan cast net maker, Michael Usina, to be presented Florida Folk Heritage Award in April

amy.gress2019-01-23T15:35:48-05:00January 23rd, 2019|

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Michael Usina, St. Augustine native and Minorcan descendent, has been recognized recently by the state as a recipient of a 2019 Florida Folk Heritage Award. Michael Usina Usina celebrates his Minorcan heritage by crafting hand-made cast nets using techniques passed down by his ancestors who settled St. Augustine in the 18th century. Driven by a desire to promote Minorcan folk arts, Usina has shared this tradition in one-on-one apprenticeships, a documentary and [...]

January 18-20: Super blood moon and total lunar eclipse

January 18-20: Super blood moon and total lunar eclipse

amy.gress2019-01-10T15:29:41-05:00January 10th, 2019|

Eclipse 2019: A Super Blood Wolf Moon will appear between January 20 and 21 (Image: GETTY) Next total lunar eclipse won’t be until May 2021 The total lunar eclipse includes a super Moon where a full moon appears 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than usual! The full moon can be viewed throughout the weekend of January 18-20, with the lunar eclipse beginning the night of January 20. Ready to see the FULL MOON from the top of the tower at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum? Dark of [...]

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum open during government shutdown

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum open during government shutdown

amy.gress2018-12-27T10:13:11-05:00December 27th, 2018|

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, a private nonprofit, is open for guests during the government shutdown. Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Dark of the Moon Ghost Tours also are available each Friday through Sunday. For ticket and tour details, go to staugustinelighthouse.org or call 904-829-0745. The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is not government owned. In 1998 the Museum was separately [...]

Shop Local at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

Shop Local at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

amy.gress2018-12-20T10:34:08-05:00December 20th, 2018|

The gift shop at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is the perfect place to find last minute gift items and stocking stuffers! Find handmade and handpainted ornaments, coffee and tea mugs, photography and art prints, jewelry, bird feeders, stained glass, holiday cards, locally made hot sauce, t-shirts and hats, collectible lighthouse items, Dark of the Moon Ghost Tours merchandise, our Tin Pickle Cafe handmade fudge, and so much more! See photos below of [...]

St. Augustine Lighthouse decorates signs & logos all across the city

amy.gress2018-12-10T15:42:09-05:00December 10th, 2018|

By Jayda Barnes, Flagler College intern The St. Augustine Lighthouse can be spotted all across the city, and not just because the light tower is so tall. All throughout town, the Lighthouse decorates signs and logos for many local businesses, organizations and events. The Lighthouse shows up everywhere, from the St. Augustine Record to Old City Electric. The tower lights up churches, like Anastasia Baptist Church and the Lighthouse Church of God, and schools like [...]

Book Signing: Illustrator Deborah Spiller will sign copies of SNOWBALL, THE BEAR WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS

amy.gress2018-11-26T10:54:01-05:00November 26th, 2018|

BILINGUAL CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS BOOK A GIFT FROM ST. AUGUSTINE ILLUSTRATOR On Dec 15 and 16 from 1-4 pm, at the St. Augustine Lighthouse Gift Shop, St. Augustine illustrator, Deborah L. Spiller, will be signing and selling copies of the new bilingual edition of SNOWBALL, THE BEAR WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS. With the original illustrations still in place, this larger format softcover edition tells Snowball’s story in English and Spanish and sells for $14.95. Proceeds will benefit [...]

Ghost Tour Experience: ‘Each floor held new secrets about the history of the Keepers’ House.’

amy.gress2018-11-08T09:29:04-05:00November 8th, 2018|

The St. Augustine Lighthouse shown on October 31, 2018 during a Dark of the Moon Ghost Tour. Photo by Jayda Barnes By Jayda Barnes, Flagler College student The first thing I noticed about the Dark of the Moon Tour was that it was, indeed, very dark. The chill in the air may have been due to the setting sun or the spookiness of Halloween night. The Museum grounds, usually bright with sunlight, faded into the [...]

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum awarded $15K grant from Volunteer Florida

amy.gress2018-10-25T15:55:02-04:00October 25th, 2018|

Volunteer student interns help at summer camp each year at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. This photo is from a 2018 summer camp activity. The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum will receive a $15,000 grant from Volunteer Florida. The Tallahassee-based organization announced this week that it is awarding $360,000 in Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) grant funding to 24 nonprofit and service organizations throughout the state. Each organization will receive a $15,000 grant, [...]

About amy.gress

Davit and Goliath; Landing a Big Fish on Light Tackle the Archaeological Way

Keeper William Russell: From Old Spanish Watchtower to St. Augustine Lighthouse

Minorcan cast net maker, Michael Usina, to be presented Florida Folk Heritage Award in April

January 18-20: Super blood moon and total lunar eclipse

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum open during government shutdown

Shop Local at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

St. Augustine Lighthouse decorates signs & logos all across the city

Book Signing: Illustrator Deborah Spiller will sign copies of SNOWBALL, THE BEAR WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS

Ghost Tour Experience: ‘Each floor held new secrets about the history of the Keepers’ House.’

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum awarded $15K grant from Volunteer Florida

We are open 9:00 am - 6:30 pm daily. Last admission at 6:00 pm. Free Parking.