St. Augustine History Fest, 2025

The St. Augustine History Festival celebrates the "Nation's Oldest City" with activities at historical sites throughout the town.

Created by the University of Florida, Historic St. Augustine Inc., and the Lastinger Family Foundation, the festival showcases every era of St. Augustine's long and storied past through special events and tours of historic venues. The activities include tours, presentations, book signings, a re-enactment, and a special concert featuring music by Black composers. 

This is a partial list of the events for that week and we will continue to update it as we learn more.

Go here, to learn which historic sites, houses of worship, and gardens will be open for tours during the 2025 St. Augustine History Fest.

Special Events, Free Entry

These events are listed in date and time order.

Butler Beach 

What: St. Johns County Parks and Recreation guide, Will Pate, leads a walk and discussion about the history of Butler Beach. Purchased by a Black man, Frank B. Butler, in 1927, when other beaches in St. Augustine were for "whites only," Butler Beach became one of the St. Augustine focal points of the 1964 struggle for Civil Rights. 
When: Wednesday, May 7, 2025, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Butler Beach, 5860 A1A on Anastasia Island

National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche
Enslavement During the First Spanish Period

What: Dr. Trevor Bryant of Flagler College discusses Enslavement During the First Spanish Period. This is one aspect of a larger topic, the impact of people of color on the growth of the Catholic Church in St. Augustine.
When: Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Nombre de Dios Grounds and Gardens, 101 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine 

Whitney Laboratory Lohman Auditorium
Anatomy and Evolution of Vertebrates

What: Dr. Emma Schachner discusses anatomy and the evolution of vertebrates — particularly their respiratory and skeletal systems. Titled, Beyond the Skeleton: Modeling the soft tissues of Dinosaurs and Why We Should Care, Dr. Schachner's discussion focuses on how what scientists learn about the dinosaurs offers lessons in three particular areas: the impact of trauma, environmental and climate change, and disease in the avian respiratory system.
When: Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Lohman Auditorium, UF Whitney Laboratory, 9505 Ocean Shore Boulevard, St. Augustine

Flagler College
Minorcan History

What: Dr. Darien Andreu, a professor in Flagler College's Department of English, is the director of the Minorcan Studies Project, which creates awareness of the richness of the 250-year-old Minorcan heritage community. She will discuss the connections between Flagler College and the Minorcan community in St. Augustine, particularly those with the Dr. Andrew Anderson Family, Stephen Vincent Benét, and the Minorcan Well. After her talk, Flager College hosts a reception with refreshments. This event is free and open to anyone aged 18 and older.
When: Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Gamache Theatre, at the Ringhaver Student Center, 50 Sevilla Street, St. Augustine

St. Augustine Historical Society
Surgical Practices in Spanish Florida

What: Dr. Christine Miller, professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Florida shares an eye-opening presentation, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Surgical Practices in Spanish Florida. If you were an injured or ill citizen of St. Augustine in that period, the cure may be as painful as the injury and as unpleasant as the illness.
When: Friday, May 9, 2025, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Where: The Dunham Building at the Oldest House Museum Complex, 14 St. Francis Street, St Augustine

Marineland and Flagler College: Lifelong Learning
The Founding of Marineland

What: A lively presentation about Marineland's groundbreaking impact on several fields, including marine science, literature, architecture, tourism, and film. Historian Terran McGinnis presents, Marineland: The World's first Oceanarium. When Marineland opened in 1938, it was the world's first oceanarium and the first underwater film studio.
When: Friday, May 9, 2025, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Where: Pollard Hall at Flagler College, 31 Cordova Street, St. Augustine

Florida National Guard Historic Barracks and Museum

What: Alison Simpson of the Florida National Guard offers a guided tour of the St. Francis Barracks and grounds. The property was formerly a Franciscan Monastery, the Convento de San Francisco, and was later used as a U.S. Army installation. The tour also discusses the history of Florida's military.
When: Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Where: The National Guard, 82 Marine Street, St. Augustine

St. Augustine National Cemetery

What: Dr. Amy Larner Giroux, University of Central Florida, "No Longer Unknown: Native American POWs, Civil War soldiers, and Second Seminole War casualties."
When: May 10, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. 
Where: St. Augustine National Cemetery, 104 Marine Street, St. Augustine

Duel on Aviles Street

What: Two men threaten to duel on the nation's oldest street. Fortunately, they have their quarrel outside the Spanish Military Hospital. Can the surgeon save the man's life?
When: Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Near 3 Aviles Street, St. Augustine

Drake's Raid Reenactment

What: Drake's Raid Reenactment. Reenactors representing Spanish and English troops march from the Oldest House Museum Complex to the Governor's House and then to the Orange Street redoubt, where they will reenact a battle to commemorate Drake's 1586 raid on St. Augustine.
When: Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Troops march from the Oldest House Museum to Orange Street. The battle takes place at the redoubt on Orange Street.

First Congregation Sons of Israel
Author's Talk

What: To celebrate the building of the synagogue, 100 years ago, author and congregant Robert Blau wrote a book about the origins of the local Jewish community. He will discuss this history and sign copies of the book.
When: Sunday, May 11, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Where: First Congregation Sons of Israel, 161 Cordova Street, St. Augustine