Collections Archives - St Augustine Light House

World War II on Americas’s First Coast: Part Two: The American Response – “Semper Paratus”

Jay Smith2020-08-11T09:36:34-04:00August 11th, 2020|

The reality of war on America’s own East Coast was a shock to its residents, and it was no different for the people of St. Augustine. The United States Navy kept the news of the U-boat attacks under wraps while they scrambled to take defensive action, and action they did take. In February of 1942, the USS Roper (DD-147), a Wickes-class destroyer returned to Norfolk, VA, after successfully performing escort duty to Londonderry, Ireland. [...]

Take a Guided Tour Through Our Newest Exhibit Opening August 1, 2020!

Jay Smith2020-07-29T20:12:05-04:00July 29th, 2020|

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkWuvDBcGns

World War II Exhibit to Open August 1, 2020

Lee-Capitano2020-07-29T15:21:56-04:00July 28th, 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 those who served in World [...]

PHOTOS: World War II U.S. Coast Guard photos in St. Augustine, Florida

amy.gress2019-08-15T14:09:16-04:00August 15th, 2019|

View historic photos of St. Augustine when it was a US Coast Guard station during World War II (1941-1945).

Updates from the Lab

amy.gress2018-05-01T13:15:43-04:00May 1st, 2018|

While our beautiful new Maritime Archaeology and Education Center (MAEC) was being built, conservation was disassembled and all artifacts were put into a state of monitored wet storage. Taking those items out of storage and getting conservation back on track has been a slow and detailed process. This process requires an inventory and condition analysis of all items, as well as setting up each area of conservation in order for treatments to begin. Though we [...]

Discoveries at the Barracks

Discoveries at the Barracks

amy.gress2018-03-21T16:11:54-04:00March 21st, 2018|

The World War II-era United States Coast Guard (USCG) structure on site is currently being restored after serving as office space for many years at the Museum. The structure was constructed after the US entered into World War II. Before December 1941, the US military was in various stages of mobilization that included increasing military personnel, munitions and equipment. The official telegram that head keeper Daniels received, which initiated a military mobilization plan that [...]

During the season of giving, Junior Service League of St. Augustine donated $9k to St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

During the season of giving, Junior Service League of St. Augustine donated $9k to St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

amy.gress2018-01-27T10:35:17-05:00January 27th, 2018|

Donation important now more than ever as WWII Barracks restoration project is delayed and looking for more donors to jumpstart the restoration process this year ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – On December 27th, the outgoing president of the Junior Service League of St. Augustine (JSL), Katey Anderson, presented a check for $9k to the Museum. It is a continuation of a supportive partnership created over thirty-five years ago with the initiation of a “Save the Lighthouse” [...]

American Alliance of Museums Accreditation

American Alliance of Museums Accreditation

amy.gress2017-02-01T08:00:34-05:00February 1st, 2017|

Last year, the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum sent in an application to become an accredited museum with the American Alliance of Museums. Our Museum is working toward accreditation with the American Alliance of Museums. The AAM has brought museums together for over a hundred years. They have assisted with the development of standards and best practices, gathering and sharing of knowledge, as well as been a catalyst for museum advocacy. Being [...]

What’s in a Collection? A Comical Chain Letter

What’s in a Collection? A Comical Chain Letter

amy.gress2016-11-02T08:00:52-04:00November 2nd, 2016|

Send this to 20 friends and the Lighthouse will get a pony for every share… We have all gotten those emails asking us to “continue the chain.” Written inside is a funny story that, if shared, will bring you luck, love, or money. However, if you break the chain you will be met with opposite results. You might lose a shoe or your crush will never speak to you again. Though for the vast majority of [...]

What’s in a Collection? Grand Army of the Republic Button

amy.gress2016-10-05T08:00:03-04:00October 5th, 2016|

In this blog post we are taking a closer look at an artifact recovered from archaeological investigations at the Lighthouse in 1996. The small object pictured is a domed brass button with the letter G, A and R artistically embossed on the surface. The letter GAR refers to the Grand Army of the Republic. Front face of the GAR button. For those unfamiliar with this organization GAR was founded in Illinois, 1866 by [...]

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