Governor's House Cultural Center & Museum

This historic site has served the city of St. Augustine since 1598. This site served as the administrative headquarters and residences for colonial governors appointed by Spain, then Britain, and then Spain again. In 1821 when Spain ceded Florida to the U.S., the Government House building was used as a courthouse and briefly as the Capitol building of the new Territory of Florida. Since it was purchased by the University of Florida several years ago, it is called the Governor's House Cultural Center and Museum.

Parts of the current building's coquina walls and windows are believed to date back to St. Augustine's first Spanish colonial period. This historic site and building offer an ideal ambiance as a wedding venue. The Governor's House Cultural Center and Museum boasts a beautiful courtyard that faces the Plaza de la Constitución in the center of the historic downtown. It also features a newly updated lobby which serves as a rotating museum space for exhibits.

In addition to being a historic site and a museum space, the Governor's House Cultural Center and Museum offers a unique event space. The Sala de Montiano Room is a popular venue for weddings and other celebrations, which, combined with the spacious courtyard, can accommodate up to 120 people.

The building is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Large Exhibit Space

The majority of the space is used for a major art, archeology, or history exhibit and is usually displayed for several years. To learn about the current exhibit, go here. 

Smaller Exhibit Space

The museum's small exhibit space displays historical information on a particular topic and is changed annually. 

As of January 15, 2025, the exhibit Sweet Beginnings: Unwrapping St. Augustine's Chocolate Legacy tells the story of cacao, a rich drink treasured by the Mayans and Aztec peoples. The small exhibit highlights the history of chocolate as it relates to St. Augustine's history.