St. Augustine History Fest Special Tours, 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. 

Tours of Historic Houses of Worship

Ancient City Baptist Church

What: Tours of the historic church.

When: May 10 & 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Address: 27 Sevilla Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine

What: A "Behind the Scenes" tour of the Cathedral Basilica, including the choir loft, sacristy, confessional, baptistry, and chapel.

When: May 8 - May 12, at 1:00 pm.

Address: 38 Cathedral Place, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

First Congregation Sons of Israel

What: Tours of the oldest synagogue in the state of Florida.

When: May 8, 9, and 12, from 10:30 to 3:00 p.m.

Address: 161 Cordova Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Memorial Presbyterian Church

What: A docent-guided tour of the church built by Henry Flagler.

When:  May 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
             May 12, from 12:15 to 3:30 p.m.

Where: 32 Sevilla Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

National Shrine of Our Lady of la Leche

What: Self-guided tours. (Several events will be held at the shrine during the History Fest. To learn about them, go here.)

When:  May 8 - 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
              May 12, from noon to 4:00 p.m.

Where: 101 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine

What: Daily tours. The tours are free and reservations are required. To reserve space, send an email to [email protected] or call (904) 829-8205.

(Several events will be held at St. Photios during the History Fest. To learn about them, go here.)

When: May 8 - 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.   

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

Trinity Parish

What: Docent-guided tours. 

When: May 9 - 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  

Where: 215 St. George Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

To learn more, visit the St. Augustine History Festival's website here.

Admission: House of Worship tours are free.

When: Wednesday, May 8 -  Sunday, May 12, 2024. Times and locations vary.

Tours of Historic Cemeteries

Representatives of each cemetery will be present to answer questions.

Tolomato Cemetery

What: A tour of Tolomato Cemetery

When: May 10, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Where: 14 Cordova 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, at 10:30 a.m.

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

Pinehurst and San Sebastian Cemeteries for Black Persons

What: A tour of these two cemeteries set aside for Black citizens of St. Augustine, both free and enslaved.

When: May 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: N. Nassau and Pearl Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084 (In the West King area.)

First Congregation Sons of Israel Cemetery Tour

What: A tour of the First Congregation Sons of Israel Cemetery.

When: May 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: 111 Evergreen Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida 32084 (In the West King area.)

Tours of Historic Gardens

Father Miguel O'Reilly House and Gardens

What: A docent-led tour of the gardens. (The house is still closed for renovations.)

Admission: Free

When:
May 8 - 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
May 11 - 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: 32 Aviles Street, St. Augustine, Florida, 32084

Nombre de Dios Historic Gardens

What: Walk through the historic gardens at the Nombre de Dios.

Admission: Free

When:
May 8 - 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
May 12, from noon to 4:00 p.m.

Where: At the Mission Nombre De Dios, 101 San Marcos Avenue, St. Augustine 32084

Ximenez-Fatio House Museum

What: A free tour of the gardens at the museum, which includes fruit trees and a kitchen garden. There will also be an archaeology table for kids to practice finding artifacts.

Admission: The garden tour at 10:00 a.m. is free. You can also purchase tickets for an audio tour of the home and complex. 

When: Saturday, May 11, at 10:00 a.m.

Where: Ximenez-Fatio House, 20 Aviles Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Historic Gardens at Ticketed Attractions

Fountain of Youth

What: Guided tours of the Fountain of Youth gardens. (There will be peacocks.)

Admission: Normal ticket prices apply. Go here to see ticket prices for visitors and St. Johns County residents. Outside the ticketed area is a pocket park, free to view, featuring a bronze statue of Pedro Menendez. 

When: May 8 and 9, 2024 at 2:30 and 4:00 p.m.

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

Spanish Military Hospital

What: Every tour at the Spanish Military Hospital includes the apothecary gardens where they grow healing herbs and plants to be used in poultices. 

When: May 8 - 12, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Reservations are recommended.)

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