In the News Archives - St Augustine Light House

Shrimpin’ Ain’t Easy

Bobby Dye2021-07-09T13:36:57-04:00January 12th, 2021|

The First Coast of Florida, in addition to being the first U.S. coast to be settled by Europeans, was the first coast to foster a commercial shrimping industry. Spreading from Fernandina to St. Augustine in the early 20th century, following the expansion of the railroad built by capitalist Henry Flagler, the nascent commercial shrimping and shrimpboat-building industries were dominated by a number of innovative families of Mediterranean descent–including the Salvador, Versaggi, and Poli families. 1947 [...]

Luminary Night Events End With Social Media Blitz!

Jay Smith2020-12-03T10:30:24-05:00October 14th, 2020|

UPDATE: Tuesday Night’s Luminary Night was a great success! We had over 600 vehicles come through and help us celebrate the holiUPDATE: Tuesday Night’s Luminary Night was a great success! We had over 600 vehicles come through and help us celebrate the holidays and we packed the van full of donated canned goods. TONIGHT, we will light our luminaries and we ask you to share your photos on social media (either Facebook or Instagram) beginning [...]

Part from World War II-Era Plane Found!

Jay Smith2020-10-02T10:19:53-04:00October 2nd, 2020|

The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum received the tail section of a World War II-era plane that washed up along South Ponte Vedra Beach during the recent nor’easter. The initial findings suggest that the part came from a F4F Wildcat, an aircraft produced by the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation mostly based on aircraft carriers. The section includes a tail hook suggesting it was carrier-based. As the plane came in for a landing, the tail [...]

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-Capitano2021-05-05T15:48:07-04:00July 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 [...]

Press Release: St Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum Partners with Farm Share

Jay Smith2020-07-22T13:53:42-04:00July 21st, 2020|

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 until 12:00 noon. To adhere [...]

GHOST PROFILES: Learn a little about our lighthouse ghosts in these fun Q&As

GHOST PROFILES: Learn a little about our lighthouse ghosts in these fun Q&As

Jay Smith2020-09-23T10:41:05-04:00April 23rd, 2020|

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 of the Moon Ghost Tours. [...]

Mission Accomplished: Preserving a Revolutionary War Shipwreck (VIDEO!)

Mission Accomplished: Preserving a Revolutionary War Shipwreck (VIDEO!)

Jay Smith2020-04-16T10:16:53-04:00April 16th, 2020|

#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 four-part series showcasing the Museum [...]

Doubly Doomed: World War I and the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918

Doubly Doomed: World War I and the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918

Jay Smith2020-04-14T12:50:50-04:00April 6th, 2020|

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 remained neutral in the conflict. [...]

Women’s History Month: First Female Lighthouse Keeper in Florida

Jay Smith2020-04-20T13:38:02-04:00March 20th, 2020|

The first St. Augustine Lighthouse, called the Spanish Watchtower, which became Florida's first lighthouse in 1824. Maria Andreu, wife of Head Keeper Joseph Andreu, became the first female lighthouse keeper in Florida when her husband died in 1859. By Kimberly King, Museum Staffer To best understand the importance of women at the St. Augustine Lighthouse, we must understand that women have always supported the light keepers. They ran the household so that the [...]

In the News

The lighthouse tower is open, and we are fully operational. Restoration of the structure will continue in the coming months. Thank you for supporting our Museum and its preservation!