University of Florida Historic St. Augustine, Inc.

09/17/2026

UFHSA is honored to say that Dr. Deagan was a founding member of our UF Historic St. Augustine, Inc. board of directors. She went on to serve for 12 years and remains involved in our programs. She is an amazing scholar and truly wonderful person!

Excavating a Legacy: Dr. Kathleen Deagan
Marston Science Library, 2nd floor
August 20 - December 18, 2026

Dr. Kathleen Deagan began her career as one of only a few women archaeologists. Despite the professional challenges that brought, she pioneered historical archaeology techniques that are utilized worldwide. Since 1972, she has excavated in St. Augustine, Florida. Her work there led to one of her most significant achievements, identifying Ft. Mose, the first free Black community in what would later become the United States. Today, after more than 50 years in the field, she is a world-renowned scholar who continues to publish books and excavate historic sites.

Excavating a Legacy was curated by Maile McCall, in partial fulfillment of a Master of Arts in Museum Studies (UF). McCall worked with Gifford Waters (Collections Manager for Historical Archaeology, Florida Museum of Natural History) and Lourdes Santamaría-Wheeler (Exhibits Director, Smathers Libraries) to research and create the exhibit. It was designed by Katiana Bagué (Exhibits Associate, Smathers Libraries) and Lourdes Santamaría-Wheeler. The exhibit features items from the Smathers Libraries, excerpts from oral history interviews, and artifacts from the Florida Museum of Natural History, where Dr. Deagan was Curator of Historical Archaeology for 28 years. Exhibition highlights include 16th, 17th, and 18th century archaeological artifacts, several of Dr. Deagan’s numerous publications, and personal letters and ephemera.

The exhibit is on view on the 2nd floor of Marston Science Library August 20, 2026 – December 18, 2026. The building is open to the public Monday through Friday 8:00a.m. – 10:00p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10:00am – 6:00pm except for university holidays and semester breaks. For exceptions and holidays view the building hours on the Libraries’ shared calendar. All exhibitions are open to the public and free of charge.

Curated by Maile McCall, under the guidance of Lourdes Santamaría-Wheeler and in partial fulfillment of a Master of Arts in Museum Studies

Featuring items from Smathers Libraries and the Florida Museum of Natural History

Contact
Lourdes Santamaría-Wheeler
Exhibits Director, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida
[email protected]

UF Museum Studies UF School of Art + Art History Florida Museum of Natural History

09/14/2026

Working in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry? Check out this virtual engagement on Sept. 17 to learn about UF's fully online degree program and take your career to the next level!

Your next step in your tourism, hospitality and event management career begins right here!

Join our free virtual info session on Thursday, Sept. 17 to explore our 100% online Master of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management! 🏨

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09/12/2026

Founder's Day celebrations today!

Step back into 1565 and experience the story of St. Augustine’s founding through reenactments, ceremonies, and living history. ⚔️🏰

The Historic Florida Militia commemorates the 461st anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine by Pedro Menendez de Aviles. The day begins at Mission Nombre de Dios with a reenactment of the Spanish landing, complete with cannon and musket salutes.

Following a Catholic Mass, the Menendez entourage will make its Grand Procession to the Fountain of Youth, where the afternoon continues with a ceremonial First Thanksgiving Meal reenactment, encampment, and living history demonstrations.

St Augustine’s Founder’s Day Commemoration 2026
📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
📍 Mission Nombre de Dios & Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
📌 Mission Nombre de Dios: 101 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084
📌 Fountain of Youth: 11 Magnolia Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084
🎟️ Mission activities are free | Regular park admission and St. Johns County rates apply at the Fountain of Youth
🪑 Folding chairs are recommended for the 11:00 AM Mass

Schedule:
⚔️ 10:00 AM – Landing reenactment
⛪ 11:00 AM – Catholic Mass
🚶 12:00 PM – Grand Procession
🍽️ 1:00 PM – First Thanksgiving Meal reenactment
🏕️ 1:00–5:00 PM – Encampment & living history demonstrations

👇 Check the comments for the event link and full details.

Come experience the history of America’s Oldest City where so much of it began.

09/08/2026

Today is Founder's Day commemorating the founding of St. Augustine on September 8, 1565 when Spanish explorer Admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés established the settlement that would become the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in what is today the continental United States. The Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida tells the story of St. Augustine through artifacts now available online in its Interactive Digital St. Augustine database.

The city of St. Augustine, Florida, has the distinction of being continuously occupied longer than any other European settlement in what is today the continental United States. A large portion of the city’s physical history, including more than a million artifacts, is curated at the Florida Museum...

09/06/2026

Today we start a new monthly series: Get to Know Your UFHSA Properties! UFHSA has the privilege of managing 38 historic buildings owned by the State of Florida in downtown St. Augustine. This month’s Property Highlight features the Spanish Military Hospital Museum at 3 Aviles Street. Reconstructed in 1966 by the State of Florida on original foundations, this one-and-a-half story Spanish colonial building was used to demonstrate medical practices from the late 1700s. With support from the Florida Medical Association, the Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board operated a medical museum in the building from 1968-1977 and again from 1990-1997. Since that time, the museum has been operated by private individuals who share a fascination with early medical practices and present their story with accuracy and enthusiasm. Step back in time - out of the heat and rain - at the Spanish Military Hospital Museum to learn more!

The original building on this site was a long wood stable remodeled by William Watson to be his residence during the British Period (1763-1784) while the main hospital was across the street. Upon construction of his new home on adjoining property, Mr. Watson converted the remodeled stable to a convalescent house. After the Spanish returned to St. Augustine in 1784, the Spanish government bought the property and converted it to a new military hospital in 1791 after fire had destroyed the original hospital. This new military hospital was also later destroyed by fire. Due to the presence of these hospitals, Aviles Street had been called Hospital Street (Calle del Hospital) until 1924.

09/04/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 #𝟗𝟎𝟒 𝐃𝐚𝐲! 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲? 𝐖𝐞'𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝!

The first muster of Spanish troops in the newly established presidio town of St. Augustine took place Sept. 16, 1565, as a hurricane began to approach. Threatened by a strong French presence in the region, Spanish troops, led by Adelantado Pedro Menendez de Aviles, anticipated a weakened French garrison due to inclement weather and attacked the French settlement at Fort Caroline on the St. Johns River. Staying behind in the presidio, the militia was assigned to guard the expedition’s supplies against a possible counterattack and to defend the settlement's priests, wives, and children.

Today, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the continental United States. The Florida National Guard honors September 16, 1565, as the first muster of Florida's militia and, therefore, the birthdate of the militia in what was to become the United States.

09/04/2026

Today is “904 Day," so we celebrate the St. Augustine Area code by recognizing the places that make it special! Join us by posting a photo of your special 904 places using #904 and then tag a friend, business, or venue inviting them to share theirs.

Governor’s House is one such place occupying a prominent central location in the historic downtown. Dominating the west end of the Plaza since the 16th century, with a view of all activities on the Plaza and in the harbor, the Governor’s House was central to the city’s social and political growth. That central location was prescribed by Spain’s 1573 Law of the Indies for town plans in new settlements. In 1598 Governor Gonzálo Méndez de Canzo built a residence at the head of the Plaza, the site of the present structure known as Governor’s House or Government House. Today’s building results from a 1935-37 restoration that expanded and remodeled an earlier building as a U. S. Post Office and Customs House. The current building houses museum exhibits, an art gallery, research library, and event space with a view that is just as fabulous as it was four centuries ago!

Where's your special place St. Augustine Saint Augustine Historical Society - Oldest House Museum Complex ?

09/01/2026

This Friday is “904 Day” recognizing St. Augustine’s 904 area code. We invite you to join our celebration by posting a photo of your favorite places in “904” this Friday using #904 – then tag a friend, business, or venue to invite them to share. What makes the 904 special? Show us on 9/04!

Did you know that Florida got its first telephone exchange in neighboring Jacksonville in 1880? In St. Augustine, commercial hookups and localized service grew significantly from 1890-1900s. In 1947, the entire state of Florida was assigned the 305 area code by American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T). In 1965, as St. Augustine was celebrating the 400th anniversary of its founding, the northern half of Florida was assigned area code 904.

08/26/2026

Another summer 2026 highlight was having graduate students from UF IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries and Geomatics Sciences inventory and assess the trees on all the state-owned historic properties in downtown St. Augustine stewarded by UFHSA.

08/23/2026

Our summer highlights include collaboration with Rachel J.C. Fu, Ph.D., CHE, chair and professor of UF THEM - Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management. We look forward to continuing that partnership through this academic year!

Leading St. Augustine through Visionary Leadership: Elevating Heritage and Sustainable Tourism to New Heights