Henry Flagler not only brought luxury tourism to the Ancient City, he also brought America’s favorite pastime – baseball. Teams made up mostly of players who worked for Flagler’s hotels would take to the field and compete against local community…

In celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary, the Historical Society is highlighting a coin in our collection produced for our nation’s last big birthday. The size of a penny, this bicentennial commemorative coin was created by former SAHS president,…

The Civil Rights Movement in the United States during the twentieth century saw a great deal of change, upheaval, and violence. At the national level, Black leaders like Andrew Young, Ralph Abernathy, and Martin Luther King Jr. worked alongside local…

The Mackle family created the Deltona Corporation in 1962. With a successful record of creating new communities, their largest Florida developments have grown into major cities: Port Charlotte, population 260,000; Port St. Lucie with 65,00 inhabitants; Spring Hill with 113,570…

When the American Civil War began in 1861, the state of Florida seceded from the United States to fight for the Confederate cause. The town of St. Augustine, unsurprisingly, stood ardently with the rest of the state, and many men…

K. Pearson Bradley is a local author who writes historical fiction set in the 18th century. Her Merchant Tides series follows a Greek teenager navigating identity, family, and survival, starting in the Mediterranean and later spanning the burgeoning British colony…

Born into slavery in 1743 on the British-controlled island of Jamaica, Antonio “Tony” Proctor would go on to lead an incredibly storied life. Of note, he supposedly witnessed key events during the American Revolution. As an adolescent, Proctor first appears…

In celebration of what would have been Dr. DeWitt Webb’s 185th birthday last month, it is fitting to discuss the man, the Society he founded, and the building that bears his name at the Oldest House complex. Webb had an…

St. Augustine’s historic backdrop and rich history have long served to draw the attention of artists. The Ancient City showcases the works of local, national, and even international artists. One of the most notable local artists whose paintings are displayed…

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, the Historical Society is highlighting our ledger art collection. Apache prisoners held in the Castillo de San Marcos (then called Fort Marion) from 1886-1887 created this twenty-four-piece collection. They sold sketches like these…

In the spirit of the spooky season, our collection highlight this month features various potions, poisons, and prescriptions found in the Historical Society’s St. George Pharmacy Collection. Judson West, son of a former St. George Pharmacy owner, donated over eighty…

One of the distinctive plants in many St. Augustine gardens is Lycoris radiata, with yellow flowers, and Lycoris aurea, with red bloom. Locally, these are known as the “Hurricane Lilies.” This nickname is derived from the lilies springing into bloom…

While debated amongst historians, the historical fiction novel’s origins are typically traced to the publication of Waverly in 1814 by Sir Walter Scott (1777-1832).  Since then, this particular genre has garnered such popularity amongst readers that it has a gondola…

To celebrate the Fourth of July, the St. Augustine Historical Society is highlighting one of its special collections pieces: a pitcher featuring quintessential American imagery. Created by James and Ralph Clews in Staffordshire, England in the 1820s or 1830s, this…

During the late 19th century, scholars and authors wrote extensively on race relations in the South. One such text, entitled Ham and Dixie, deserves more attention, especially for its unique first-person perspective. Author Joseph Burritt Sevelli-Capponi was born in Florida…