Lighthouse History

229th US Coast Guard Birthday celebrated Aug. 4, 2019

229th US Coast Guard Birthday celebrated Aug. 4, 2019

amy.gress2019-08-02T12:44:09-04:00August 2nd, 2019|

Established on August 4, 1790, the U.S. Coast Guard has kept the nation’s waterways safe, playing a critical role in national security. Every year, August 4 is celebrated as the U.S. Coast Guard Birthday, commemorating the military organization for its valor and discipline. Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, founded the Revenue Marine — which later became the U.S. Coast Guard. A US Coast Guard retired fog bell in front of the 1876 [...]

New Florida License Plate features artist rendering of Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse – available Aug. 9

amy.gress2019-07-23T12:40:55-04:00July 23rd, 2019|

This new Florida license plate depicting the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse will be available starting Aug. 8, 2019 at VisitOurLights.org or your local tag office. Funds raised go to the Florida Lighthouse Association, which aids in preservation and restoration of Florida’s 29 remaining historic lighthouses. Revenues assist in the saving and restoration of Florida’s beloved beacons JUPITER, FL – Images of Jupiter’s beloved, iconic Light are everywhere, and now a very special one is coming to [...]

Lighthouse Keeper Series: Francis Philip Fatio Dunham

Lighthouse Keeper Series: Francis Philip Fatio Dunham

amy.gress2019-03-18T14:54:12-04:00March 18th, 2019|

By Jay Smith On June 26, 1916, readers of the St. Augustine Evening Record read an entertaining interview with 68 year old Oregon Dunham offering “very interesting reminiscences” from a man “whose remarkable memory…retained so much of what happened in the earlier days.” Dunham recalled significant events in the Oldest City, including the Civil War and some of the local folklore. “Oregon” was a nickname for Francis Philip Fatio Dunham. His mother, Mary, was [...]

Keeper William Russell: From Old Spanish Watchtower to St. Augustine Lighthouse

Keeper William Russell: From Old Spanish Watchtower to St. Augustine Lighthouse

amy.gress2019-01-31T12:10:42-05:00January 31st, 2019|

By Jay Smith “Where’s the elevator in this thing?” A young woman who couldn’t be more than 30 asks me as I stand at the top of the tower welcoming her to the observation gallery. You might be amazed at how often that question gets raised during a normal day. Granted, I have gained a new appreciation for Paul Pelz for having the forethought to add landings to his design for our Lighthouse! What we [...]

Ghost Tour Experience: ‘Each floor held new secrets about the history of the Keepers’ House.’

amy.gress2018-11-08T09:29:04-05:00November 8th, 2018|

The St. Augustine Lighthouse shown on October 31, 2018 during a Dark of the Moon Ghost Tour. Photo by Jayda Barnes By Jayda Barnes, Flagler College student The first thing I noticed about the Dark of the Moon Tour was that it was, indeed, very dark. The chill in the air may have been due to the setting sun or the spookiness of Halloween night. The Museum grounds, usually bright with sunlight, faded into the [...]

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 [...]

Archaeologists + Dating = Success Through Collaboration

Archaeologists + Dating = Success Through Collaboration

amy.gress2018-02-21T14:48:12-05:00February 21st, 2018|

The past three months have been very busy for our Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP) archaeologists. They have been analyzing artifacts discovered on the Museum property during last summer's construction of the new Maritime Archaeology & Education Center, as well as sites through St. Johns and Flagler Counties uncovered during the storms. Our analysis started by contacting Dr. Lee Newsom, a Professor of Anthropology at Flagler College. Dr. Newsom is an expert in examining preserved plant remains from [...]

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” [...]

Unique research, conservation and visitor lab space opens at St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

Unique research, conservation and visitor lab space opens at St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

amy.gress2017-10-04T15:01:25-04:00October 4th, 2017|

Museum opens new Maritime Archaeology & Education Center as part of the progress of the Maritime Heritage Park ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – On Thursday, September 28th the Museum celebrated a project twenty years in the making with the opening of a new building that houses an education and exhibit space as well as conservation labs, research library, an x-ray room and offices. Over one hundred people including elected officials, the Museum’s Board of Trustees, Museum [...]

Keepers of the Light

amy.gress2017-03-29T08:00:49-04:00March 29th, 2017|

Keepers of the Light Alphonso Daniels, 2nd Assistant Keeper, 1928 St. Augustine Lighthouse When you think about lighthouse keepers, what comes to mind? Maybe it is long, lonely nights dutifully keeping the lamps burning for ships unseen. Alternatively, perhaps it is a long day spent painting the lighthouse tower. Lighthouse keeping meant a hard life, especially as we think about it today. Who do you imagine did these tasks? During the lighthouse boom [...]

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