Historical Research

New Exhibit Celebrates the History of the Keepers’ and Their Families

Jay Smith2026-09-22T11:51:38-04:00September 22nd, 2026|

Rising above the skyline of St. Augustine, the St. Augustine Lighthouse has become an icon for residents and visitors alike. Constructed in 1874, the tower remains both a navigational aid and a symbol of strength and resilience. More than 200,000 people climb the tower each year, yet few understand what daily life was like for the men and women responsible for maintaining the lighthouse and its iconic Fresnel lens. Over the past year, staff at [...]

Heritage Boat Works Builds a Dugout Canoe!

Jay Smith2026-07-20T16:07:18-04:00July 20th, 2026|

Since May 2026, the boat building volunteers of the Heritage Boat Works program have been working on a dugout canoe. Florida has the highest concentration of archaeological dugout canoes of anywhere in the world! These canoes date back over 7,000 years into the maritime history of Florida and its indigenous populations. Archaeologists in Florida began noticing these canoes in the 1970s as dry conditions exposed many in the lakes and waterways throughout the state. Samples [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Shrimp: Small Crustacean, Big Journey

Lee-Capitano2025-01-15T10:35:45-05:00July 31st, 2023|

SHRIMP Small Crustacean, Big Journey Biting into a crispy shrimp dipped in some tangy cocktail sauce is one of the most popular experiences to enjoy in our city! Shrimp have been a staple of St. Augustine seafood prior to World War II thanks to the ingenuity of one local resident. Sollecito “Mike” Salvador brought the fledgling shrimping industry to St. Augustine in the early 1900s. With the help of his family, Mike built shrimping [...]

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 [...]

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