St. Augustine History Fest Events, 2024

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. Go here, to learn which churches and gardens will be open for tours during the 2024 St. Augustine History Fest.

Special Event, Ticketed

Lincolnville Museum

What: San Marco Chamber Music Society, "Music by Black Composers."

Admission: $25.00

When: May 11, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Where: 102 Martin Luther King Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Special Events, Free Entry

These events are listed in date and time order.

Governor's House Cultural Center and Museum

What: A new exhibit opens for this History Festival–Pics: Photographs from UFHSA Governor's House Library. The University of Florida Historic St. Augustine (UFHSA) ensures the long-term preservation of the state-owned historic properties in St. Augustine. To create this exhibit, staff members viewed the 28,000 photographs, negatives, and slides in their collection, choosing to display those items that reflect the collaborations among the museum, its collections, and the people who work there. 

This exhibit is in addition to the ongoing exhibit, Painting St. Augustine: Selections from the Samuel H. and Roberta T. Vickers Collection. 

When: The Governor's House will have extended hours from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, May 8th and 9th.

The Governor's House will be open during regular hours, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May  9 - 12.

Where: In the lobby gallery at the Governor's House Museum, 48 King Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Don't Miss: Their main exhibit - Painting St, Augustine: Selections from the Samuel H. and Roberta Vickers Collection

Colonial Quarter

What: Watch the PBS documentary, America's Untold Story

When: May 8 - 10, it will repeat all day.

Where: Colonial Oak Music Park, 33 St. George Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Flagler College

What: Dr. Timothy Johnson discusses "Historic Gardens and Sacred Space." This will include a tour of Flagler's Rotunda and Gardens. (These areas will be closed to the public through August for renovations.)

When: May 9, 3:00 - 5:30 p.m.
From 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. the discussion will held in the Crisp-Ellert Museum and Garden. The group will then move to the Ponce Courtyard Garden, and visit the Rotunda and Inner Space from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. They will then return to the Crisp-Ellert Musesum and Garden for a reception from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m.

Where: Flagler College, Crisp Ellert Art Museum, 48 Sevilla Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Mission Nombre de Dios

What: Roman A. Alvarez, historian and author from Spain, "100 Years of History: St. Augustine and Aviles Spain." Presented with the City of St. Augustine.

When:  On two days, Thursday, May 9 and Friday, May 10.
May 9, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
May 10, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Where: In the Pilgrimage Center Meeting Room, 101 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

National Shrine of Our Lady of la Leche

What: Dr. Denise Bossy of UNF, "Indigenous Women and the Indigenous Networks Across La Florida." Part 1 of 2 
When: May 9, 5:00 p.m. The event starts with light refreshments and wine at 5:00 p.m. — the lecture begins at 5:30 p.m.

What: Dr. David Sheffler, UNF, "The Camino del Santiago: Pilgrimage Past and Present." Part 2 of 2 
When: May 10, 5:00 p.m. The event starts with light refreshments and wine at 5:00 p.m. — the lecture begins at 5:30 p.m.

Where: In the Pilgrimage Center Meeting Room, 101 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Peña-Peck House

Four presentations under the tent in the garden

What: Dr. Darien Andreu: "Famous Minorcans, from the Queen of Yap to the Queen of Corn.
When: May 9 at 11:00 a.m.

What: Paul L, Weaver, III, Historic Preservation Consultant: "The Significance of the Historic Peña-Peck House, as a Model for Other Spanish Colonies."
When: May 9, 1:00 p.m

What: Marsha Chance, Curatorial Chair of the Women's Exchange of St. Augustine: "Historic Gardens of Spain and the Peña-Peck House."
When: May 10, 1:00 p.m.

What: Dr. Susan Richbourg Parker, Historian: "...Female Property Owners in Colonial St. Augustine."
When: May 10, 3:00 p.m.

Where: 143 St. George Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32094

Ribera Garden

What: "We Are Agriculture." Meet and take photos with a Cracker Cow and a Quarter Horse and learn about the Florida livestock industry, beekeeping, and more.

When: May 10, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Where: Ribera Garden, 22 St. George Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Fort Mose

What: Militia Musket and Cannon demonstration at 12:30. Additional exhibits: African Art Exhibition by Ovico Gallery and African drummers. There will be food trucks on site.
When: May 10 and 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What: Yamasee Chief Mico Hadjo and representatives from the Yamasee Nation: "Yamasee Culture, Beading, and Artifacts"
When: May 10, 2:00 p.m.

What: Historian Susan Parker, PhD, "Inter-Ethic Collaboration in St. Augustine, 1565 Through the Early 1700s"
When: May 11, 2:00 to 2:40 p.m.

What: Yamasee Chief Mico Hadjo discusses the cooperation between the Yamasee and Africans on the Flight to Freedom
When: May 11, 2:45 to 3:00 p.m.

Where: Fort Mose, 15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine 32084

St. Augustine Historical Society/Oldest House

What: Dr. Christine Miller, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Surgical Practices in Spanish Florida."

When: May 10, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Where: Oldest House Museum, 14 St. Francis Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine

What: Cultural Emersion Experiences through Sites and Sounds. A program youth ages eight through 18, that includes learning the Greek alphabet, a Greek folk song, and a Greek folk dance.

When: May 10, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.   

Where: 41 St George Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Florida National Guard Museum

What: Command Historian Alison Simpson will lead a guided tour of the St. Francis Barracks and grounds. 

When: May 11, 9:00 a.m.

Where: Florida National Guard Museum, 82 Marine Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

St. Augustine National Cemetery

What: Dr. Amy Larner Giroux, UCF, "No Longer Unknown: Native American POWs, Civil War soldiers, and Second Seminole War casualties."

When: May 11, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Where: St. Augustine National Cemetery, 104 Marine Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

St. George Street, Drake's Raid

What: Drake's Raid Reenactment. They will march from the Oldest House Museum Complex to the Governor's House to the City Gate, where the reenactment of Drake's Raid will start.

When: May 11, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Where: Along St. George Street, between the Governor's House and the City Gate, and on Orange Street at the redoubt.

First Congregation Sons of Israel

What: Author Robert Blau who wrote The Oldest City's Oldest Synagogue, will present information and sign his book in honor of the 100th anniversary of this congregation.

When: May 12, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Where: First Congregation Sons of Israel, 161 Cordova Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Historic Attractions—Normal Entry Fees Apply

Fountain of Youth 

What: What: Regular entry and exhibits, plus experts demonstrate pre-Colombian skills: Carving a new totem, and the preparation of two hides in a manner that shows proper respect.

When: May 8 -12, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Where: 11 Magnolia Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

St Augustine Alligator Farm

What: Regular entry and exhibits.

When: May 8 - 12, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where: 999 Anastasia Boulevard, St. Augustine, Florida 32080

Villa Zorayda 

What: Regular entry and exhibits, plus a new exhibit featuring the Mussallem family's private photos showing Villa Zorayda from the early to mid-1900s.

When: May 8 - 11, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where: 83 King Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

St. Augustine Historical Society/Oldest House

What: Regular entry and exhibits, including "The Winter Colony"—An exhibit of Affluent Tourists in St. Augustine during the Gilded Age"

When: May 8 - 12, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where: 14 St. Francis Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum

What: 15% discount for purchasing tickets on the St. Augustine History Fest's website. In addition to the regular activities and exhibits, there will be a special exhibition: "The Menorcan Experience" which includes net mending, famous Florida recipes, natural fiber weaving activities for children, and a discussion about Menorcan lighthouse keepers.

When:  May 8 - 12, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Where: 100 Red Cox Road, St. Augustine, Florida 32080

Peña-Peck House

What: Regular tours on May 8 - 11, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

What: Four special presentations under the garden tent on May 9 and 10. (See Above)

Where: 143 St. George Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Ximenez-Fatio House

What: Regular entry and exhibits, plus "Dressing Louisa: A Lifetime of Fashion," showing the evolution of 19th-century fashion during the time of Louisa Fatio. 

When: May 8 - 12, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where: 20 Aviles Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Castillo de San Marcos

What: In addition to the regular entry and exhibits, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Castillo as a national monument, the Castillo hosts "The Making of a Monument," showing restoration and preservation efforts including stone cutting, blacksmithing, and woodworking demonstrations.

When: The Castillo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The special exhibitions will be on May 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Where: 1 South Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Spanish Military Hospital

What: Regular entry and exhibits.

When: May 8 - 12, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Special Demonstration: "Duel on Aviles!" Two men settle an argument with a duel, and a Spanish surgeon will try to save one man's arm.

When: May 11, 1:00 p.m.

Where: 3 Aviles Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084