Conservation

WRECKED! Exhibit Gets an Upgrade!

Jay Smith2026-03-05T11:10:40-05:00March 5th, 2026|

The Wrecked! Exhibit tells the story of a group of ships that wrecked off the coast of St. Augustine in 1782. These vessels carried British Loyalist refugees fleeing Charleston, South Carolina, during the American Revolution. As the Continental (American) Army captured Charleston, Loyalists escaped to the nearby British colony of East Florida, whose capital was St. Augustine. The exhibit features artifacts recovered by the Lighthouse’s archaeologists from one of these shipwrecks, known as the Storm [...]

History In Our Backyard: Archaeology on the Lighthouse Grounds

Jay Smith2026-02-16T13:18:47-05:00February 16th, 2026|

What began as a routine project quickly turned into an extraordinary discovery. During the weekend of January 10–11, 2026, Museum staff dug a hole to install a new signpost—and instead uncovered a historic trash pit hidden beneath the grounds of the St. Augustine Light Station. Work immediately paused, and the Museum’s archaeology team stepped in. As they opened a 2x2 meter excavation around the pit, it became clear they had discovered more than discarded debris. [...]

History in Our Backyard: Archaeology on the Lighthouse Grounds

Jay Smith2026-01-13T15:57:49-05:00January 13th, 2026|

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. Hand Pump Some people may [...]

The Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program Turns 26!

Jay Smith2025-11-25T13:46:40-05:00November 24th, 2025|

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 submerged archaeological sites. These include: [...]

Historic Ship Timbers Discovered on Crescent Beach

Jay Smith2025-08-29T15:30:56-04:00August 28th, 2025|

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 have been collected and will [...]

Shrimp Nickels and the Local Shrimping Industry

Jay Smith2025-06-24T09:27:57-04:00June 19th, 2025|

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 the book Shrimp Boat City [...]

Faro y Museo Marítimo de San Agustín

Lee-Capitano2025-01-15T10:35:25-05:00March 20th, 2024|

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 Visitantes. Teléfono: 904-829-0745 Para traducir [...]

Check Out The Latest Spyglass Magazine!

Lee-Capitano2025-01-15T10:35:53-05:00July 12th, 2023|

SPYGLASS MAGAZINE VOLUME 23 ISSUE 1 WHAT'S INSIDE SPYGLASS: THE SHRIMP JOURNEY HISTORIC PRESERVATION LIGHT STATION DISCOVERIES 1782 SHIPWRECK ARTIFACTS CREATING A LEGACY We are more than a lighthouse. We are a nonprofit that puts your dollars to work through historic preservation, education, conservation, archaeology, and shared history of local community and beyond. Thank you to our donors, volunteers, members, visitors, sponsors, ongoing supporters. We continue our mission because of you! You keep the [...]

Brown Bess Muskets from 1782 – Found Loaded, Cocked, and Ready To Be Fired!

Lee-Capitano2025-01-15T10:36:02-05:00July 5th, 2023|

Three Brown Bess Muskets Found on a Revolutionary War-era Shipwreck! At the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, our maritime archaeologists excavated around 600 artifacts from a 1782 British Loyalist Ship – including three Brown Bess muskets. These muskets were found loaded, cocked and ready to be fired! The flint and leather pad were found in place on the gun, as well as the paper wadding. These artifacts were found on a Revolutionary War-era [...]

What Does The 4th of July, The Revolution, & BBQ Have In Common?

Lee-Capitano2025-01-15T10:36:12-05:00June 26th, 2023|

"Oldest Grill" Found on a Revolutionary War-era Shipwreck! At the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, our maritime archaeologists excavated around 600 artifacts from a 1782 British Loyalist Ship – including a Grid Iron (a grill cooking grate.) These artifacts were found on a Revolutionary War-era shipwreck we called, “The Storm Wreck”. This site consists of up to sixteen ships that wrecked on a sand bar trying to enter the St Augustine harbor in [...]

Open 9 AM - 6:30 PM daily. Free Parking.