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 extensive career in both medicine and politics. He was a doctor at Flagler Hospital and a physician for the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. Additionally, he was the medical practitioner for the Apache prisoners of war held in Fort Marion in 1886. In his political career, he served as a state representative for both New York and Florida, and became the mayor of St. Augustine in 1911. At the Historical Society, he is best known for being one of the founding members who created the organization 1883, and its president for thirty-four years.
Portrait of Dr. Dewitt Webb, president of the St. Augustine Historical Society from 1883- 1917.
When the St. Augustine Historical Society (SAHS) began, originally as an “Institute of Science,” it prioritized the study of natural sciences, placing seashells, fossils, rocks, bones, and even a live alligator on public display. By the time Historical Society was officially added to the name, the institution had accumulated historic items more relevant to the city’s past, including Confederate dollars and cannonballs from the Castillo’s walls. By the 1910s, the SAHS moved further into the world of historic preservation. They began an oral history program, a project that continues into the 21st century. Members worked to save monuments like Fort Matanzas from ruin, and Dr. Webb advocated for location markers acknowledging important events in Florida history, such as the site of the 1837 capture of Seminole leader Osceola.
The dedication to historic preservation of St. Augustine can be seen in Webb’s response to a 1917 interview of Frank Munsey in the St. Augustine Record. Munsey, a northern magazine and newspaper owner, frequented the city during wintertime. He aired his opinions on the development of the city in this interview, arguing that St. Augustine needed to “forget our antiquated buildings.” His proposals for doing so included demolishing the old post office (now the Governor’s House) and widening the streets to support new commercial development. To entice northern travelers to permanently relocate to the city, he advocated for the creation of a new residential zone “where nothing will be permitted that will in any way detract from the prestige of the neighborhood.”
In response, Webb defended St. Augustine’s historic structures in a letter to the editor of the Record, calling Mr. Munsey’s recommendations “mostly moonshine.” He proclaimed “the old city should remain substantially as it is,” and that these historic structures “will grow in interest as time passes to tell the story of other days.” He specifically advocates for the restoration of the Governor’s House and barracks. As for growing the city’s population, he proposed the development and expansion of the public school system.
Webb Memorial Building and Albert Manucy Museum Plaque
Today, the Historical Society continues its mission of preservation and education through our museum exhibits, and our stewardship of the Gonzalez-Alvarez House, Llambias House, and the Segui-Kirby Smith House, the latter of which operates as our Research Library. Our most extensive history exhibits, however, are located in the Webb Museum. Constructed in 1923, it is the first building visitors to our property encounter. It is also the first purpose-built museum in the state of Florida. Much like its namesake, it works towards the same mission: to educate, and to preserve the history of St. Augustine.
Written by: Sydney Livingston, Assistant Collections Manager
Edited by: Robert Covert, Collections Manager and Editor – in – Chief
Sources:
“DeWitt Webb to the Editor of the Record.” March 23rd 1917, MC16.14 Folder 14h.
“Suggestions for Growth of St. Augustine by Mr. Munsey,” St. Augustine Record, March 15 1917.
“DeWitt Webb M.D., L.D.D. 1840-1917.” El Escribano vol 3 no. 4. October 1966. 14.
Thomas Graham, “St. Augustine Historical Society 1883-2008.” El Escribano, vol. 45. 2008. 1-42.
“Address of Dr. DeWitt Webb before the St. Augustine Institute of Science and Historical Society.” St. Augustine Evening Record, April 4, 1916. MC16.14 Folder 14f.
Jean Parker Waterbury, The Treasurer’s House, El Escribano vol. 31, 1994.