Showing posts with label St. Augustine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Augustine. Show all posts

Friday, May 20, 2022

Exploring Historic St. Augustine

Last month I wrote about the St. Augustine, Florida region as an alternative to Disney World where I highlighted destinations that can be particularly enjoyable for families. This month I'm going in a different direction by pointing out places adults are more apt to appreciate.

Remarkable Museums

Lightner Museum
The Lightner Museum was once home to the Hotel Alcazar.

You can't tour St. Augustine without learning about Henry Flagler. Flagler is something of a celebrity in St. Augustine. The American industrialist founded Standard Oil and has been described as a key figure in the development of Florida's Atlantic Coast. If that's not impressive enough, he was also responsible for founding both Palm Springs and Miami.

If not for Flagler, the Lightner Museum located at 75 King Street would not exist. The imposing structure was once home to the Hotel Alcazar, which was commissioned by Flagler to appeal to wealthy tourists who traveled south for the winter on his railroad. (Yes, Flagler also owned a railroad, which was completed in 1912 and known as the 8th wonder of the world at the time.) The Hotel Alcazar was designed by New York City architects Carrier and Hastings in the Spanish Renaissance Revival style. The talented architects also designed the New York Public Library and the former Ponce De Leon Hotel, which is located across the street from the Lightner Museum and is now part of Flagler College.

The hotel shuttered its doors in 1932 and was sold later to Chicago Publisher Otto C. Lightner in 1947, who converted it into a place to store his collection of Victorian art. In 1948, Lightner turned the museum over to the city of St. Augustine.

The first floor of the Lightner Museum, known as the Victorian Science and Industry Room, displays rocks, shells and minerals, Native American artifacts, examples of Victorian glassblowing and mechanized musical instruments dating from the 1870s through the 1920s.

mechanized music makers

The mechanized musical instrument room displays artifacts dating from the 1870s to the 1920s.


glass steam engine
The Excelsior dates back to 1850 and was a working glass steam engine.

The piece above is called the Excelsior. The working, glass steam engine was featured in exhibitions throughout the Northeast and was included in P.T. Barnum's first museum. It dates back to 1850 and was blown by William H. Allen, a master scientific glass blower.

The second floor contains cut glass, Victorian art glass and stained-glass work from Louis Comfort Tiffany's studio and others.

Tiffany stained glass
St. Augustine, by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The third floor of the Lightner Museum contains sculpture, paintings and furniture.

Carerra marble statue
"Young Girl Crocheting," 1889, Carrera Marble, signed by Ella Pollock Bidwell.

carved teak chairs with mother-of-pearl inlary
Carved teak with mother-of-pearl inlay from the Arabian Peninsula, ca. 1880.

Mahogany and mother-of-pearl table
Mahogany, Mother of Pearl, 1920.

Viewable from the upstairs balcony is the drained swimming pool of the Hotel Alcazar, which now serves diners as the Cafe Alcazar.

Former swimming pool at the hotel Alcazar
Visitors of the Lightner Museum dine in what was once a swimming pool at the Hotel Alcazar.

Another museum worth visiting is the Villa Zorayda Museum, also located on King Street. Built in 1883 by a Boston Hardware Merchant and amateur architect by the name of Franklin Webster Smith, the museum was inspired by Spain's Alhambra.  The Villa Zorayda served Smith as a residence for 20 years before the building was leased and transformed into a social club in 1913 by Lebanon immigrant Abraham Mussallems.  
Villa Zorayda sign


In the 1920s, the club became a gambling casino and speakeasy before the Mussallems                            began using it as their private residence. In 1933, the couple decided to share the priceless antique collection with the public by opening it as a museum, which has been maintained by the family for more than a century now.
Zorayda Room
The first room guests see upon arrival.

The museum today features the antique collection of the original owner, Franklin Webster Smith and that of the Mussellems. In 1993, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

brass heater

Zoyarda overview


Zorayda room

Harem room at the Zorayda
The Harem Room 
Pictured above is the Harem Room, which originally served as a second story porch in Franklin Smith's original design. Its name was inspired by a window which enabled residents to peek outside, but prevented strangers from seeing inside.

Roulette wheel at the Zorayda
A 1920s roulette wheel reminds visitors that the museum was once a casino.

Zorayda room

One of the most interesting antiquities in the Villa Zorayda is a 2,400-year-old cat rug taken from an Egyptian tomb, which guests are prohibited from photographing. 

Prepare to allot approximately 45 minutes for the self-guided audio tour. 

A different type of museum the whole family can enjoy is the St. Augustine Light House and Maritime Museum, which is run by a non-profit whose mission is to preserve the stories of the nation's oldest port. 
At. Augustine lighthouse

Guests who visit will to learn more about the lighthouse keeper's job, which included carrying oil up 219 steps to the top. A total of eight landings are available for visitors to catch their breath and read more about the popular structure that is depicted on many souvenirs in the St. Augustine area.


St. Augustine lighthouse interior
Photo courtesy of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

The learning experience continues with shipwreck artifacts, WWII-era structures and an exhibit called "At Home with the Harns," which focuses on the life of a lighthouse keeper's family in the 1880s. An interactive exhibit enlightens both adults and children on school activities and games that were popular during the period.

View of the Keeper's House from inside the tower (courtesy of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum).

Guests are also invited to stroll the grounds, which feature a butterfly garden, a shipyard play area and nature trails. 

The Old Jail

If you wish to tour a museum documenting a darker past, there's the Old Jail Museum located at 167 San Marco Avenue. The jail is tucked into the same area as a few other destinations, like the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum and the Oldest Store Museum, both of which I wrote about last month.

The reason I didn't add the old jail to the family activity blog post is because the facts can be very disturbing, but for older children this may not be a problem. A guide dressed like a prisoner tells graphic stories about the inmates and the conditions in which they were held.  The jail was in operation from 1891 to 1953 and at least eight prisoners were hanged there. Visitors can view the gallows outside before moving into the structure itself to see the living quarters of approximately 72 prisoners. 

Sheriff Perry at the Old Jail in St. Augustine
Lifesize depiction of Sheriff Joe Perry 

Stool pigeon at the Old Jail in St. Augustine
A tourist "stool pigeon " gets put in the cage.

The guide relates the story of the huge, sadomasochistic Sheriff Joe Perry who took delight in subjecting the prisoners to the worst conditions possible. What I found particularly interesting was that Perry was the son of a Baptist minister. One would expect the man to have more empathy, but not old Perry. According to our guide, the prisoners were used as free farm laborers during the day and returned to the jail at night where the Florida heat was practically unbearable in such close quarters and where air conditioning was but a dream.

Room in the old jail in St. Augustine
More than a few prisoners were usually contained within a small room.


The few female prisoners (about a dozen at any one time) were raped and forced to cook and clean in between. 
Sheriff's room at the old jail in St. Augustine
The Sheriff's Office.

According to records, inmates lasted about two years, before dying from maladies like infection, malnutrition and violence.  

Sheriff Joe Perry at the old jail in St. Augustine
The tall, hulking Joe Perry looks down upon his kingdom.

Today, people share stories of hauntings in the Old Jail, like Sim Jackson, who was hanged in 1908 after murdering his wife with a straight razor. Charlie Powell is also said to roam the grounds. He was thrown in the facility for beheading a man who spread rumors about his wife. Guests who want the opportunity to experience things that go bump in the night can sign up to take a night tour called the Ghosts and Graveyards tour.

Day tours are held every 20 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park

Ponce de Leon statue at Fountain of Youth
The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is located at the site of St. Augustine's original settlement. Here guests will receive an education on both the Spanish settlers who arrived in the 1500s and the Native Americans  known as the Timucua. 

Fountain of youth drinker
My husband drinks from the "Fountain of Youth."

Exhibits include a 30-foot-high Discovery Globe illustrating the routes of the explorers who traveled to the New World, along with a Navigators' Planetarium where guests can learn more about the navigational tools used by those early explorers. Also onsite is a reconstructed Timucuan Village and a reconstructed mission called the Mission of Nombre de Dios, now recognized as the first Catholic mission established in the United States and built in 1587 by Franciscan Friars. The Mission was built on the grounds of the Fountain of Youth, discovered through an archeological dig and then recreated on the site where it once stood.  

peacock
Beautiful peacocks freely roam the grounds and boy do they make a racket!

Also located onsite is a blacksmith exhibit, beautiful peacocks that freely roam the grounds and, of course, "The Fountain of Youth." Having worked as a water judge, of course I have to remark upon the water I tasted. It smelled slightly of sulfur and tasted a bit metallic. My husband may have gone back for seconds. We're still waiting for it to work its magic. 


Mission de Nombre Dios
The Mission of Nombre de Dios.

The Fountain of Youth Archeological Park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Set Sail on a Sunset Cruise

St. Augustine sunrise
The sun sets near the Mission Nombre de Dios

Before leaving St. Augustine, we made it a point to set sail on a Sunset Cruise and the photo of the sunset alone was worth it. The 90-minute, adults only cruise aboard the Osprey was a relaxing way to view various landmarks like the Mission Nombre de Dios (the Big Cross), the Bridge of Lions that spans the Intracoastal Waterway, the St. Augustine bayfront and the St. Augustine Lighthouse.

sailboat

St. Augustine lighthouse

beach at St. Augustine

Sailboats

Good Eats
Kingfish Grill in St. Augustine
The Kingfish Grill offers beautiful harbor views.

The Kingfish Grill is located within steps of the Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor and many patrons dine there before taking the sunset cruise. The restaurant offers fresh, delicious food and a beautiful view of the harbor. If you enjoy sushi, this is the place to be. I ordered a spicy tuna roll and it was the best I'd ever had. 

Accommodations

Conveniently located hotels with comfortable accommodations include The Ponce, The Flagler Inn and the Beachers Lodge Oceanfront Suites.

The Ponce, located at 111 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd., is a comfortable option, with standard rooms containing two queen-sized beds, an outdoor pool and free internet access.
The Ponce Hotel
The Ponce Hotel 

The Flagler Inn, located at 2700 Ponce de Leon Blvd., is a boutique-style inn, with an onsite Mexican restaurant. The Inn is a good choice for families and all rooms contain a microwave, a coffee maker and a refrigerator. Free continental breakfasts are served each day.

Room at Flagler Inn
A double queen room at the Flagler Inn.

The Beachers Lodge Ocean Front Suites located on Crescent Beach, touts rooms that overlook the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to ocean views, the units all have private patios and/or balconies and kitchenettes making it yet another good choice for families.

These are just a few suggestions can help you jumpstart your vacation to the oldest city in the United States. St. Augustine is quaint, full of history and offers something new and unique around every corner.




Monday, April 18, 2022

Family Fun on Florida's Historic Coast

St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, provided by FloridasHistoricCoast.com

One of my favorite places to visit is Florida. In fact, I've been there many times and people are often surprised that I've never set foot in Disney World. The scene just never really appealed to me. But, then again, I don't have kids tagging along on my trips, which got me to thinking, what if I did? 

When I returned to Florida, this time to the "Historic Coast," I decided to write about destinations that would appeal to both children and adults. If you think that the "Historic Coast" sounds like it would be a big snooze fest for kids, you would be wrong. What I discovered was quite the opposite. There is plenty of family fun to be had in the St. Augustine area.

Affordable Accommodations

One of the first things visitors will need to find is affordable accommodations. On this trip, we stayed at the European Village in Palm Coast, which describes itself as a "one-stop destination" with restaurants, shops and rooms on site.

For $85, my husband stayed in a two-room, spacious suite equipped with a balcony. On the days we didn't feel like returning to the city, we had the convenience of dining on the ground level of the resort. One night we sat outside at a pizza parlor eating pasta and just watching the rain. It was a lovely and memorable experience. On Sundays, people flock to the resort to shop at the stands set up by vendors on the lawn of the resort. And, if you're lucky, you may even be able to watch live bands entertain under the gazebo from your balcony. They played two nights during our week-long stay.

The kitchen/living room at our suite.


The grounds at European Village.

To stay in an area that is closer to the action, consider The Ponce St. Augustine Hotel located on N. Ponce De Leon Boulevard next to the Florida East Coast Railway. Staying at The Ponce is a convenient choice of accommodations quite simply because it's located less than a mile from so many points of interest. After a day of sightseeing, families can return to their rooms and enjoy the use of an outdoor pool to wrap up a fun-filled day.

Another step I recommend is to grab a St. Augustine Tour Pass. The pass enables visitors to choose from 27 different attractions at a savings of approximately 40 percent based on two-three visits a day.

Finally, it may be helpful to note that kids love the trolley and most places on the tour pass can be accessed via handy "hop off, hop on" tour trolleys that canvass the city Monday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Now on to the destinations!

Be Prepared To Be Amazed at Ripley's Believe It or Not

Look closely at the tail and you'll discover that this sculpture is made from silverware, butter knives, to be exact. Her hair is made from uncoiled telephone cables.

I've only been to one other Ripley's in my life and after visiting this one, I plan to continue to seek more of them out during my travels.

I found myself marveling at the many strange and unusual pieces displayed at the "odditorium" located at 19 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine. From sculptures made from butter knives, to pop culture icons crafted from candy and portraits made from matchbooks, (like the ones shown below) you will see plenty of creative and odd pieces that stun and amaze.
The "Rat Pack" drawn on matchbooks. Take note that their "cigarettes" are matches.

John Lennon made with smoke.
The interesting portrait of John Lennon" is known as "fumage art" and is made by holding the canvas above a fire and manipulating the smoke to create the image from soot. South Carolina artist Daniel Diehl has created a series of such portraits of individuals who were killed prematurely, their lives abruptly ending like a "puff of smoke."
A cute dog portrait made exclusively of vintage bottle caps.

Ripley's states that self-guided tours can last from one to two hours. My husband and I spent 45 minutes inside and were satisfied that we saw everything.

Reptiles, Birds and More at the Alligator Farm



The St. Augustine Alligator Farm/Zoological Park claims to be the only place in the world where families can see every species of crocodilian.  I was fascinated with the smile on the crocodile shown in the shot below. They even feature an albino crocodile, which I've never seen before.

A popular spot at the Alligator Farm is an area called "The Rookery." If you love bird watching, this is a must see. During our visit, I witnessed many professional photographers setting up the "perfect shot."


Roseate Spoonbills are my favorite.


Other species of wildlife can be seen on the property as well, like sloths, pythons, turtles, ducks, lemurs and more. Finally, there's a playground onsite where kids can burn off a little energy.



Kids climb ropes on the playground at the Alligator Farm.

View Even More Wildlife at the Aquarium


Those who are expecting a plethora of marine life in a sprawling building, won't get it at this relatively small, open-air facility. What they will get, however, is an educational experience provided by a certified marine biologist who will explain everything on site. 

Most of the time, kids are admonished not to touch anything. This doesn't hold true for the Aquarium experience in St. Augustine, where children are encouraged to touch sea urchins, horseshoe crabs, starfish and even nurse sharks.

For an extra fee, they will have the opportunity to snorkel in an 80,000 gallon habitat with hundreds of Florida reef fish and rays and also feed them. The aquarium supplies the wetsuits, masks, snorkels, vest and shoes. The kids just need to bring a towel, swimsuit and change of clothes.  At the end of the experience, families can hike down a nature path to the pond.

A hike on a nature path takes visitors to a pond.

Learn All about Eye-Patched Villains at the Pirate and Treasure Museum

The entrance to the Pirate and Treasure Museum in St. Augustine.
Pennsylvanian Pat Croce is known as a best-selling author and was an athletic trainer for the Philadelphia '76ers for 10 years. He refers to the Pirate and Treasure Museum as his "passion project." This unique destination features approximately 800 authentic artifacts memorializing the history of piracy from the 1600s, to the present day.

This looked a bit too realistic; his chest heaved up and down as if he were sleeping.

A young visitor "shoots" a cannon while yelling AARGH!


Visitors will learn tidbits like the fact that Blackbeard carried not only six pistols on his person, but a cutlass and dagger as well, and that he was survived by 14 wives and that Captain Bartholomew "Black Bart"  Roberts, enforced a code of conduct on his crew which prohibited gambling, but was otherwise a prolific scoundrel, who claimed to have captured hundreds of ships.  

They will also see the world's only surviving pirate treasure chest. Weighing 150 pounds, the chest is 400 year's old and belonged to Thomas Tew, who made his fortune raiding ships traveling in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Often these ships were loaded with precious jewels, ivory and silk. The museum provides hands-on experiences for the children and a scavenger hunt, which inspires them them to explore the exhibits closely. A completed card turned in at the end of the visit earns a reward.

World's only surviving pirate treasure chest.


The Pirate and Treasure Museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Visit the Oldest Wooden School House

The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse

Kids may be interested in knowing how their peers learned their lessons at the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse located in downtown St. Augustine. Early tax records reveal that it was present in 1716 in the Minorcan Quarter and was built for the Genoply family, with Juan Genoply as the first teacher.

Animatrons in the likeness of a teacher and students regale visitors with tales about the days of yore, like how students were disciplined and what their life was like back in the old days.

After exploring the schoolhouse, the detached kitchen and gardens, visitors receive a diploma as they exit through the onsite gift shop.

Shopping in the "Olden" Days



An old clerk handles "the books" at the Oldest Store Museum.



A visit to the Oldest Store Museum Experience will shed light on how people "got their shop on" in the past. Located on St. Marco Avenue, the museum displays items that were once the property of Charles Hamblin, who opened the store and warehouse for the purpose of supplying Henry Flagler with the goods he needed to complete his many construction projects around St. Augustine.

Store "clerk" shows off the latest "must have."

Tour guides are dressed in period clothing and explain the various items that are seen throughout the multi-room store, from old washing machines, to coffee grinders, bicycles, cure-alls and more.

Climb the Steps to the St. Augustine Lighthouse for a Beautiful View

The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime museum is run by a non-profit whose mission is to preserve the stories of the nation's oldest port.

The destination is comprised of the tower, two summer kitchens, a keeper's house, a U.S. Coast Guard Barracks and a jeep repair facility employed during World War II.

Children must be 44 inches tall to climb the 219 steep spiral steps to the Observation Deck, which is rewarded by a spectacular view. Those who are too short to climb will find a play area, as well as a puppet area to keep their attention, while older kids and parents make their way to the top. There are also hands-on activities both indoors and outdoors for all ages at the site, as well as nature trails for families to hike.
The St. Augustine Light House

What seems to intrigue both young and old alike, is the legend that the lighthouse is haunted, not by one ghost, but by several. One such tale recounts the drowning of the Pittee girls. Those who are interested can read more here.  

A No-Frills Beach



Florida's historic coast is home to 42 miles of unspoiled Atlantic Beaches.  Located between Daytona Beach and St. Augustine is quiet Flagler Beach, where families can swim and sunbathe for free.


Flagler Beach in early April.

When we visited in early April, we were surprised how few people were taking advantage of the no-frills beach, which is perfect for those whose primary interest is enjoying the sun and sand. Perhaps it was too early in the season to attract many visitors.

Within a short walk from the beach are a few shops selling souvenirs, art and apparel. Restaurants are also within walking distance so that families can grab a bite at the beginning, or end of their beach visit.

Next month, I will post additional activities in the area that are more suited to grownups.

In the meantime, I hope these few suggestions are helpful in considering family fun in Florida that goes beyond Disneyworld.