About Us
Our Mission
Our History
Founded in 1883, the St. Augustine Historical Society originated as an informal gathering of local individuals interested in natural history. Known by a variety of names, the St. Augustine Historical Society officially became known as such in 1953. Since its inception over 130 years ago, the Society has fostered interest in, and an appreciation of, the history and culture of St. Augustine, St. Johns County, and North Florida. In doing so, the Society has acquired, restored, preserved, and maintained multiple notable local historical structures.
The Gonzalez-Alvarez House (The Oldest House), Tovar House, the Fernandez-Llambias House, the Segui Kirby Smith House (The Research Library), the Webb Building, and the Dunham Building all remain key holdings and demonstrate the distinct and significant periods of St. Augustine’s long and storied past. Both The Gonzalez-Alvarez House (The Oldest House) and the Tovar House host museums dedicated to the history of St. Augustine and its people, while the Segui Kirby Smith House is home to the unique collections of the Research Library.
To this day, the St. Augustine Historical Society remains an important aspect of the community. Free public programming, collaboration with other community organizations, and annual publications of the academic journal El Escribano all serve as a means of fostering interest for generations to come in the storied past of the nation’s Oldest City.
Historic Buildings
Located in a mainly residential area south of the Plaza de la Constitución, the Oldest House Museum Complex consists of seven buildings and associated properties. The complex includes two large gardens, a reconstructed outdoor kitchen, a workshop, public restrooms, and a picnic area. To plan a visit click here.
The 1925 Webb Building houses the entrance to the grounds, the Manucy Museum of St. Augustine History, and the Museum Store. The Manucy Museum is an introductory exhibit of St. Augustine history.
The Tovar House, a First Spanish Period two-story wood and coquina structure, is one of the oldest houses in St. Augustine. Although the exact date of its construction is not known, much of the building fabric dates back to the 18th century. The house appears on a 1763 map of the town, and is one of a few remaining First Spanish Period houses. The Tovar House features a permanent exhibit on the first floor: the St. Augustine Surf Culture Museum. The second-floor houses rotating exhibits.
The 1964 Dunham Building is a reconstruction of a 1788 house on the site. The building features the Page Edwards Gallery on the first floor for exhibitions and houses staff offices on the second floor. The structure was the former location of the St. Augustine Historical Society Research Library prior to the library moving to its current location at the Seguí-Kirby Smith House.
About four blocks north of the Oldest House Complex, the Historical Society Research Library is located in the Seguí-Kirby Smith House, a two-and-a-half-story coquina stone building. The site features a courtyard and a small garden. A two-story auxiliary building provides office and general storage space. The structure stands just south of the Plaza and is a five-minute walk from the Webb Building. The house was originally a residence. In 1895, it began to be used as a public library. In 1987, the Historical Society acquired the property and transferred its research library there from the Dunham Building. The main public use of the library is located on the building’s second floor. For more information on the Research Library click here.