World War II Exhibit to Open August 1, 2020
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL – The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum proudly announces the opening of a new exhibit, “Guardians of the First Coast: Building Readiness for World War II,” on August 1, 2020. This exhibition, housed in the Museum’s 1941 Coastal Lookout Building, honors the brave men and women who defended our coast as World War II began. The exhibit showcases firsthand stories, letters, photographs and videos collected from [...]
Press Release: St Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum Partners with Farm Share
The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is proud to partner with Farm Share in hosting an event for St Johns County residents that will provide food to individuals and families in need on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. We will be distributing 42,000 pounds of food through drive-thru distribution in the parking lot of the Ponce de Leon Mall in front of Belk Department Store beginning at 9:00 am [...]
World War II on Americas’s First Coast: Part One: The “Second Happy Time”
On Sunday, December 7th, 1941, the Imperial Navy of Japan attacked the American Pacific Fleet at its base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The devastating loss of life and carnage that morning not only surprised Americans, it also surprised and delighted Adolph Hitler. Hitler was shocked, not only that the Japanese had attempted it, but that it had been, in his mind, so “successful.” Nazi Germany declared war on [...]
Honoring the 76th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion
https://www.facebook.com/staugustinelighthouse/videos/249935589602301/ On June 6, 1944, Joyce Murphy, an 18-year old defense worker from St. Augustine, wrote her mother expressing her concerns about the upcoming D-Day invasion of France during World War II. Her letter captures the fear and anticipation of the country as the nation awaited news of perhaps the greatest event to take place during World War II.
Mission Accomplished: At-home Conservation Project
Conservators try to be as careful as possible when working with artifacts - objects left behind by people. They want to make sure they do not cause any damage as they clean and process each object. Each one should be treated a little differently depending on what it is made of. With this activity, we are looking at objects made of metal: precious or pure metal, like gold or silver. [...]
GHOST PROFILES: Learn a little about our lighthouse ghosts in these fun Q&As
Update (September 23, 2020): The Lighthouse has reopened, and the Dark of the Moon Tours have returned! The codes in this post will not work any longer, but please give us a call or visit us online to schedule your tickets for the Dark of the Moon Tour!! GHOST PROFILES: Learn a little about our lighthouse ghosts in these Q&As from the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum and Dark [...]
Ask An Expert: Maritime Archaeologist Austin Burkhard
https://youtu.be/cO0-xQvEjZk ASK AN EXPERT Every Monday at 2 PM An expert from the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum will answer your questions on topics including lighthouses, shipwrecks, exhibits, history, and boatbuilding. Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: youtube.com/channel/UCxpgNR1J7cMK8XI_Dgd0hEA/ Find more details about our Nation's Oldest Port Online Programs here: https://www.staugustinelighthouse.org/explore-learn/education/ #LoveYourLighthouse Your St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is closed to protect you and your lighthouse family from COVID-19. [...]
Mission Accomplished: Preserving a Revolutionary War Shipwreck (VIDEO!)
#LoveYourLighthouse Your St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is closed to protect you and your lighthouse family from COVID-19. Your Gift of Love for our Maritime Heritage Makes A Difference. Donate today, or take advantage of deep discount opportunities by visiting www.staugustinelighthouse.org. Stay Safe and #LoveYourLighthouse https://youtu.be/XKPP-EgZVK0 Thank you for joining the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum for Mission Accomplished: Preserving a Revolutionary War Shipwreck. This is the second of a [...]
St. Augustine Lighthouse COLORING SHEETS!
#LoveYourLighthouse Your St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is closed to protect you and your lighthouse family from COVID-19. Your Gift of Love for our Maritime Heritage Makes A Difference. Donate today, or take advantage of deep discount opportunities by visiting www.staugustinelighthouse.org. Stay Safe and #LoveYourLighthouse
Mission Accomplished: Discovering a Revolutionary War Shipwreck VIDEO
https://youtu.be/edXNaE6uMSk Thank you for joining the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum this morning [April 9, 2020] for Mission Accomplished: Discovering a Revolutionary War Shipwreck. This is the first of a four-part series showcasing the Museum mission to discover, preserve, present, and keep alive the stories of the nation’s oldest port as symbolized by our working St. Augustine Lighthouse. First, a little background. Archaeologists are scientist that study materials, such [...]
Doubly Doomed: World War I and the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918
Compiled by James Smith In the closing days of World War I, the world faced one of the worst pandemics of the modern era, the Spanish Flu Pandemic. The term Spanish Flu originated largely because the United States government did not want news of the disease to diminish the war effort, since the conflict was nearly won. World War I ended with the armistice on November 11, 1918. However, Spain [...]
Stuck at Home: Virtually Visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
#LoveYourLighthouse Your St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is closed to protect you and your lighthouse family from COVID-19. While we are closed, we invite you to take virtual tours of the lighthouse and museum in the following YouTube videos. Your Gift of Love for our Maritime Heritage Makes A Difference. Donate today, or take advantage of deep discount opportunities by visiting www.staugustinelighthouse.org. Stay Safe and #LoveYourLighthouse Tour the St. Augustine Lighthouse [...]
Women’s History Month: Maria Andreu and Her Legacy in St. Augustine
The first St. Augustine Lighthouse, called the Old Spanish Watchtower, which became Florida's first lighthouse in 1824. Maria Andreu, wife of Head Keeper Joseph Andreu, became the first female lighthouse keeper of Hispanic-American descent in Florida when her husband died in 1859. To best understand the importance of women at the St. Augustine Lighthouse, we must understand that women have always supported the lighthouse keepers. They ran the [...]
CLOSED March 16 for two weeks due to COVID-19
The health and safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff is always our top priority at the nonprofit St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. As a public health precaution due to COVID-19, we will close the museum beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 and continuing for 14 days. Major Florida museums across the state are starting to close for two weeks to flatten the curve and to preserve the LONG TERM [...]
Museum Notice: COVID-19 – St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum to remain open
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL – The health and safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff is always our top priority at the nonprofit St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. As a public health precaution due to COVID-19, we are doing everything we can help to minimize the risk of virus transmission in the community. We are following the guidelines published by the CDC and local health authorities. And will continue [...]