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 [...]
Each month we have a special event for our members. Last month was Fact or Fiction, where we provided two stories for each object brought from the collections storage. It was up to the members to decide which story was the correct one. Many of these objects might not see the inside of an exhibit space and to have the opportunity to highlight them is fun for us. We thought that since not everyone could [...]
Our artifact highlight this month is an interesting example of some of our maritime heritage collection. This object is referred to by several names such as a sailmaker’s palm, sewing palm or sailors palm thimble. The multiple names are probably a reflection of the diverse audience that would actually use one. Sailmaker’s palm is associated with the art of sail making. This tool was important for sewing through tough material like leather and multiple layers [...]
The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum houses a large collection that ranges from ship building tools to Fresnel Lenses. Hidden among these objects on a high shelf in a box is a pink, wool bathing suit. This iconic piece of woman’s history was designed by the Rugby Company and dates back to the 1930s. The wool swimsuit, called a tank suit, has a scoop neck, low cut bib that has blue stars, and an [...]
Over the next month as we approach the grand opening of our new exhibition, Wrecked!, we will be featuring blog and social media posts from our newest Museum team member, Ms. Star Waters! Star has an integral role in the new exhibition which she will be sharing here and in her total takeover of our social media accounts on May 4th! Hey guys! Gotta love those #BeachSelfies! Wow, is this totally exciting or [...]
As a youth and avid collector of sports cards when you heard the words tobacco cards it was pretty exciting. As a kid they were considered old and rarely seen as a lad in the Midwest. These trading cards were from the turn of the century and featured some of the most famous sport figures at the time like Cy Young, Ty Cobb, and Jack Johnson. However, tobacco cards or trading cards were not just [...]
What is a Hygrometer? First documented in the late 1700s, the Hygrometer was invented to measure the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere caused by condensation and evaporation better known as humidity. There are two types of humidity: absolute and relative. Absolute humidity tells us how much water vapor is in the atmosphere and how close we are to the saturation point. While relative humidity tells us an approximation of how much water vapor [...]
Every month we will be highlighting an artifact from our Museum Collection. Our Collections team has many interesting artifacts that they are currently preserving and we would like to share them with you. The first map was used to highlight points of interest for those visiting Saint Augustine, much like the maps many visitors still use today to navigate through the city. The second, which was issued by the United States Department of the Interior [...]
Each month, we will be showcasing a different piece from our Museum collection. Outside of the artifacts on exhibition at the Lighthouse, we have hundreds of other historic pieces that are preserved in our collection. This small pin is a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) collar/hat pin. The pin is a screw version as opposed to a clasp version made of brass. The design has the USCG emblem and is consistent with pins that were worn [...]
In this new monthly blog series, members of our collections team will highlight some of the unique pieces that our museum is preserving and protecting outside of our regular exhibitions. Hidden in the collection of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is a very interesting piece from the George Fischer Collection. Mr. Fischer, a professor at Florida State University, was a pioneer in the field of American Underwater Archaeology. He has worked for the National [...]
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