Collections

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

American Alliance of Museums Accreditation

American Alliance of Museums Accreditation

amy.gress2017-02-01T08:00:34-05:00February 1st, 2017|

Last year, the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum sent in an application to become an accredited museum with the American Alliance of Museums. Our Museum is working toward accreditation with the American Alliance of Museums. The AAM has brought museums together for over a hundred years. They have assisted with the development of standards and best practices, gathering and sharing of knowledge, as well as been a catalyst for museum advocacy. Being [...]

What’s in a Collection? A Comical Chain Letter

What’s in a Collection? A Comical Chain Letter

amy.gress2016-11-02T08:00:52-04:00November 2nd, 2016|

Send this to 20 friends and the Lighthouse will get a pony for every share… We have all gotten those emails asking us to “continue the chain.” Written inside is a funny story that, if shared, will bring you luck, love, or money. However, if you break the chain you will be met with opposite results. You might lose a shoe or your crush will never speak to you again. Though for the vast majority of [...]

What’s In a Collection? Fact or Fiction Night

What’s In a Collection? Fact or Fiction Night

amy.gress2016-08-03T08:00:42-04:00August 3rd, 2016|

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 [...]

What’s in a Collection? Sailmaker’s Palm

What’s in a Collection? Sailmaker’s Palm

amy.gress2016-07-06T08:00:13-04:00July 6th, 2016|

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 [...]

What’s in a Collection? Bathing Suit

amy.gress2016-06-08T08:00:12-04:00June 8th, 2016|

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 [...]

What’s in a Collection? Tobacco Card

amy.gress2016-03-09T08:00:19-05:00March 9th, 2016|

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’s In a Collection? Snake Bite Kit

amy.gress2015-10-07T08:00:06-04:00October 7th, 2015|

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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