History in Our Backyard: Archaeology on the Lighthouse Grounds
From time to time, artifacts appear on the grounds of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. Recently, several items emerged from the dunes located behind the Lighthouse tower, including a component of a hand pump and a piece of dishware. Our conservation team immediately began working to determine the time period from which these artifacts originated. The items were likely used on site by Lighthouse keepers and their families. [...]
An Active Aid to Navigation: The Lighthouse Helps Track Right Whales
Do you know why they’re called Right Whales? The name “Right Whale” means just that. In the mid-1800s, during the height of commercial whaling, these majestic creatures were considered the “right” whale to hunt. Why? Because they were easy to catch and incredibly valuable. Right Whales had large deposits of fat, or blubber, which made them more buoyant than other whales. As a result, they floated to the surface after [...]
From the Museum Collection: Artifacts from Holidays Past
Christmas Cards Long before text messages and social media, Christmas cards were a cherished way to share holiday cheer across distances. Today, the Archives and Collection of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum preserve these cards as small but meaningful artifacts that reflect changing traditions, artistic styles, and ways of connecting with loved ones. Early Christmas cards from the late 19th and early 20th centuries often featured elaborate illustrations, [...]
The Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program Turns 26!
The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum has conducted maritime archaeological research in the St. Augustine area since 1997. In 1999, the Museum organized a maritime archaeology program as part of the research extension of the Museum. Today, this program is one of the few underwater archaeology research programs in the world not part of a university or government agency. The Museum has conserved over 3,400 objects and samples from [...]
RFP Announcement
INVITATION FOR BID (REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL): CONTRACTORS & BUILDERS PROJECT TITLE Exterior Rehabilitation of the St. Augustine Light Station Keepers’ House PROJECT BACKGROUND The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum (Museum) invites proposals for the Keepers’ House restoration project, focusing on the repair, replacement, and restoration of key exterior and structural components to preserve the building’s historic integrity while ensuring safety and longevity. TIMELINE FOR RFP SCHEDULE Bid Release Date: [...]
The Eternal Watch of Keeper Peter Rasmusson
If you climb the tower at dusk, the Atlantic breeze soft around you and the Lighthouse beam begins its sweep across the water, remember you’re not alone. Keeper Peter Rasmusson is there, manning his eternal post, keeping vigil — not just over ships and tides, but over the station where he once served. You may experience eerie sensations, moving shadows, or unexplained smells—most notably the distinct scent of cherry tobacco lingering in [...]
Historic Ship Timbers Discovered on Crescent Beach
Following the recent swells and storm surges cause by Hurricane Erin, two large ship timbers were discovered washed up on Crescent Beach. The timbers were found by the St. Johns County Beach Services, who quickly reported the find to LAMP (St. Augustine Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program), the research arm of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. At this stage, the type of wood had not been identified, but samples [...]
Get to Know Our Heritage Boatworks Program!
Nestled on the grounds of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is an area where you can hear the hum of power tools and the witty banter of a very special group of volunteers. This is Heritage Boatworks, a truly unique, volunteer-based program dedicated to preserving the traditional art of wooden boatbuilding. A part of the Lighthouse’s archaeological program since 2007, Heritage Boatworks was created to educate guests on [...]
Shrimp Nickels and the Local Shrimping Industry
It’s not uncommon for guests to ask staff members at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum about donating items to the Museum’s collection. Currently, the Museum holds over 25,000 items in its collection including items ranging from tools used by Lighthouse keepers to a Coast Guard uniform from World War II. Recently, the Museum received a token used in the shrimping industry. Ed Long, who is the co-author of [...]
Lighting the Way to Education: 2025 National History Day State Competition
The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum was excited to be of the 2025 National History Day (NHD) State Competition on May 5 & 6. This annual competition, sponsored by the Museum of Florida History, invites middle school and high school students to plan, create, and present, unique projects through historic research focused on an annual theme. This year’s theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in History,” challenged students to explore pivotal [...]
Lighting the Way to Education (Staff Spotlight: Hannah Millhollon)
Meet Hannah Millhollon, the Education & Program Manager here at the St Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. With over 10 years of experience in education, she has brought fun and passion to the Museum’s Education Department. Hannah holds a B.A. from Texas A&M in History and says her love for history was inspired by her Grandpa, a Vietnam War veteran who earned a Purple Heart. A proud Texan, Hannah started [...]
The Tin Pickle, Local Gedunk
TIN PICKLE, LOCAL GEDUNK The St. Augustine Lighthouse is shaking things up with its eatery called the “Tin Pickle.” This World War II-themed eatery embraces the 1940’s spirit with lots of unique offerings. Throw out any idea you have of what attraction food is because this eatery walks to its own beat. Think fresh, like the house-made pickles that have customers coming back for more. “The rosemary pickle was hands [...]
Getting More from Your Membership!
Make Your Membership Count More: Upgrade your membership level and bring additional friends and family to the Museum! The cost for the upgrade is the difference in cost from your current level to the higher level. Give us a call and we can upgrade your membership instantly! To see all of the membership levels, click here. Discounts on Specialty Programs: Did you know that members save on specialty programs like [...]
Faro y Museo Marítimo de San Agustín
Faro y Museo Marítimo de San Agustín Suba * Descubra * Experimente El destino número 1 de Trip Advisor en St. Augustine, FL. VISITE EL FARO DE ST. AUGUSTINE Estamos abiertos de 9 am a 6 pm todos los días. Para consultar los horarios actualizados de las actividades especiales, visite: Sitio web: www.staugustinelighthouse.org Dirección GPS: 100 Red Cox Rd. St. Augustine, Fl 32080 Aparcamiento gratuito frente al Centro de [...]
November’s Member Event: Tour the Villa Zorayda
Join us in November for an exclusive tour of the Villa Zorayda on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, with two different tour times: 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Members will meet at the Villa Zorayda, check in and then begin their tour using an hand-held audio device. The tour will take roughly 45 minutes to an hour and does include stairs. We will have light refreshments for you following the tour. [...]