The Making of Historic St. Augustine
An introduction to the Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board.
HISTORIC ST. AUGUSTINE
You may wonder how did St. Augustine become "historic"? Well, the story begins in 1565 . . . or did it?
1565
Don Pedro Menendéz de Avilés set out to settle La Florida for the Spanish crown in 1565. His fleet after weeks at sea spotted Florida's shores on the feast day of St. Augustine. Upon landing, Menendéz named the site of settlement San Agustín. This outpost not only survived, but became the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States.
"By the time Jamestown was founded in 1607 and Plymouth in 1620, St. Augustine was up for urban renewal."- Michael Gannon, historian
Weathering the centuries, St. Augustine faced many changes. The city passed between nations and generations; and faced natural disasters - ranging from hurricanes to fires. Each one leaving its distinct mark on the built landscape. This resulted in a unique layering of architecture, culture, and history in the streets.
As the city headed into the 20th-century, St. Augustinians began to notice the disappearance of their heritage. Their past was becoming an important source of income and pride for the old city as it attracted visitors from far and wide. So local leaders embarked on a crusade to restore the "historicalness" of the living city.
HOW DO YOU PRESERVE A "LIVING CITY?"
Historic preservation saves certain features of the built environment, which hold cultural importance. St. Augustine exemplifies a place with centuries of historic value. But how do you preserve a "living city"? A place where people continue to live daily and culture continues to change with the times.
Laying The Foundation
One of the first attempts to preserve St. Augustine began in 1936. The city's mayor Walter B. Fraser called for a committee to investigate the possibility of protecting picturesque narrow streets and quaint balconied houses. He feared that little by little, their priceless history would vanish in the march towards progress.
"The program at St. Augustine must be absolutely sound historically without any flimflams or phoney stories."- Dr. Verne E. Chatelain, National Park Service's chief historian
By the 1930s, much of the city's architectural past made way for the new - like many other cities. The remaining structures inspired locals and visitors alike to speculate the age and stories behind them. Fraser's committee sought to sift through the "flimflams" with historical research.
Over three years, Fraser's committee accomplished:
- A zoning ordinance for the protection of historic landmarks
- A survey of historical documents and sites
- Approval and funding from the Florida Legislature
But the outbreak of World War II in 1939 brought their efforts to a temporary halt . . . until 1958.
ENTERS THE COMMISSION
A renewed interest in colonial America and archaeology swept over America during the mid-1900's. This wave of interest came about with: The development of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. And the planning of celebrations for St. Augustine's Quadricentennial in 1965 as well as the United States' Bicentennial in 1976.
The Idea Continues
In 1958, Governor LeRoy Collins called together representatives from St. Augustine and Tallahassee to develop a restoration plan for the nation's oldest city. As a result of their meeting, they developed a state agency - St. Augustine Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission. Governor Collins signed House Bill 774 on June 19, 1959, establishing the Commission and providing $150,000 of state funds to begin its work.
The original members of the Commission included (pictured from left to right): Herbert E. Wolfe, Leonard Usina, Henrietta Poynter, William L. Sims II, and William F. Rolleston.
When established, the Commission's goal was “. . . to acquire, restore, preserve, maintain, reconstruct, reproduce, and operate for the use, benefit, education, recreation, enjoyment, and general welfare… [St. Augustine’s] historical and antiquarian sites.”
The Commission hired consultant Earle Newton (pictured far left). Newton helped the Commission craft a plan for the restoration and preservation of St. Augustine's built heritage.
They intended to restore and reconstruct structures from: the First Spanish Period (1565-1763), British Period (1763-83), Second Spanish Period (1783-1821), and the early American Period (after 1821).
A MAP TO THE PAST
To understand St. Augustine's colonial atmosphere, the Commission dug into historical research. They sponsored academic investigations - into archives and collections across the world - to learn more about the city. One map found along the way helped lay the groundwork for their later preservation efforts.
de la Puente Map
Juan Josef Elixio de la Puente completed his map of St. Augustine in 1764. He included detailed information on the city's almost 400 properties. As one of the earliest city plans, de la Puente's work served as a road map for the Commission.
From the map, the Commission learned the names of property owners, the locations and sizes of their lots, and the material of their homes. For example, Juan de Rivera owned a casa de piedra (stone house) on a 16 x 35.5 lot - located at 63 in Quadra (D). But who was Juan de Rivera?
Following a documentary trail, the Commission learned a more about Juan de Rivera. He was born around 1732 to a cavalryman and a Native American woman from Tolomato village. Juan served in the military at Castillo de San Marcos and lived at present-day 22 St. George Street .
For more details, the Commission turned to archaeology . . .
EXCAVATING THE CITY'S FOUNDATIONS
As a way to uncover St. Augustine's roots, the Commission employed archaeologists. Their excavations across the city combined historical research with physical archaeology. A common practice today known as "historical archaeology." Leaders in the field - such as Hale G. Smith and John Griffin - aimed to uncover foundations of lost structures as well as details of early life in Florida.
Oliveros House
With the aid of historical research, archaeologists searched for the city's foundations.
And in the case of Oliveros House, they discovered not only one foundation, they uncovered three other structures from over 200 years at 59 St. George Street .
When the Commission purchased the lot, a brick structure - known as the Paffe Building - stood (as seen in the photo). Dr. Hale Smith - chair of the Department of Anthropology at Florida State University - led the efforts to uncover the history beneath it. In 1963, Smith with eight of his students conducted an excavation - which found . . .
Building #1: At the lowest level of the excavation, archaeologists discovered post holes and short trenches. Paired with historic documents, these findings revealed a wooden structure from sometime between 1650 and 1750.
Building #2: Evidence of a tabby structure appears in some of the excavated walls. Archaeologists believed that these walls formed at least one building sometime between 1750 and 1768.
Building #3: According to historic documents uncovered during the excavation, another wooden structure stood on the site sometime between 1768 and 1788. (Archaeologists did not locate physical evidence of it in this dig.)
Building #4: Archaeologists uncovered the foundations of the Manucy House – a coquina two-story building from between 1798 and 1908. The blocks (pictured in this image) served as a base for the Commission's reconstruction of the Oliveros House .
RECREATING HISTORIC ST. AUGUSTINE
The Commission's historic preservation efforts sent the modern city back in time. During their first decade, the Commission completed (restoring or reconstructing) over 29 buildings across the city - often partnering with private groups, individuals, and the state.
What Is Restoration?
Restoration, as defined by the Commission in 1968, is "undertaken when an historic building has been altered, particularly in recent times, and its historic unity needs to be restored."
Arrivas House
The Commission's first historic restoration project came in 1960 with the Arrivas House. Located at 46 St. George Street , the building already possessed a long and varied history. The first known structure on this property occurred between 1650 and 1680. Through the centuries, many owners and residents altered the residence to reflect their times.
Before beginning the restoration, the Commission conducted an archaeological excavation. Hale G. Smith and five Florida State University students led the 1960 dig . Their work revealed architectural features – such as tabby walls and fireplaces – from over the years. Artifacts – like 20th-century coins and Spanish pottery sherds – found in the stratum helped create a chronology for the house's evolution.
From the archaeological and historical research, the Commission decided to restore Arrivas House to its Second Spanish Period (1783-1821) appearance.
"At that time, it contained many parts of older structures just as it does today."- William A. Stewart, architect
With the completion of Arrivas House, the Commission held a dedication ceremony in 1963 that featured Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. He gave a speech from the house's restored balcony onto a crowd of onlookers in St. George Street.
What Is Reconstruction?
Reconstruction, as defined by the Commission in 1968, is "undertaken when the original building has disappeared but adequate historical information to reproduce its exists, in the form of archaeological foundations, documentary materials, and maps of the period."
de Burgo-Pellicer House
Now what do you do when the historic building no longer exists? The Commission answered the question with one word: reconstruction. The de Burgo-Pellicer House at 53 St. George Street is one such example of a structure returning from the past.
In 1780, two men from Dr. Andrew Turnbull’s New Smyrna colony - Francisco Pellicer and José de Burgo - pooled their money to buy a St. Augustine lot. Pellicer - a master carpenter - built a structure described as a "house of wood covered with shingles with its kitchen of the same." By 1831, the lot sat vacant.
The Florida Bicentennial Commission funded a 1973 archaeological excavation to look for the original foundations.
And in 1977, the St. Augustine Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission completed the reconstruction. The de Burgo - Pellicer House is one of their last preservation projects.
BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFE
From the start, the Commission hoped to turn their preservation work into a living history museum. A living history museum recreates historical settings allowing visitors to experience history. Inspired by popular destinations of the time - such as Colonial Williamsburg and Old Sturbridge Village - the Commission aimed to combine historical authenticity with educational programs in San Agustín Antiguo (Old St. Augustine).
San Agustín Antiguo
The living history museum San Agustín Antiguo on St. George Street opened in 1963. A ticket-holder could visit the barrio (neighborhood) with nine buildings - representing the 1500s until early 1800s. Experiencing life in "old" St. Augustine involved interpreters, furnishing rooms, and craft demonstrations.
Historical interpreters brought history to life at San Agustín Antiguo. They took on the personas of the people who once lived in the homes during the Spanish and British periods. And sometimes created characters - like seen here at Ribera House .
To get the scene right - like seen here at Gallegos House - the Commission went on a world-wide hunt. They surveyed historic furnishings of St. Augustine as well as Spain and other former Spanish colonies. They sought to research and buy furniture and household objects from the city's past. Craftsmen at San Agustín Antiguo also recreated unattainable pieces for the museum.
Presenting a craft program, also offered a more in-depth insight into the everyday lives of St. Augustine’s early residents. San Agustín Antiguo featured blacksmithing , silversmithing, printmaking, saddlery, and much more .
BECOMING A COMMUNITY RESOURCE
The year 1968 marked several changes for the Commission:
The Civil Rights Act and Fair Housing Act prompted the State of Florida to adopt a new constitution . Under the new constitution, the Commission fell under the Department of State and lost its “commission” status. Instead, they became a “board” with a new name - Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board (HSAPB).
That same year, HSAPB moved their headquarters into the Governor's House (also referred to as Government House or Governor's Palace/Mansion).
Governor's House
Since 1598, the site of Governor's House has served St. Augustine in many ways. It has held a gubernatorial residence, courthouse, customs house, and post office. HSAPB gave the site another chapter by transforming the building into an exhibition and research space for the community.
HASPB saved their historical research, archaeological findings, and preservation records. They welcomed researchers - from the community and abroad - to use their collections and library at Governor's House.
During this time, HASPB also invited the public to see their archaeological projects in action. Sometimes on-lookers even got to take part in the process - like seen here in the 1993 dig at Governor's House. Archaeology proved an excellent tool for bringing the past to the present for so many.
THE SUN SETS
1997
In June 1997, the State of Florida abolished HSAPB under the Sundown Act. The State then assigned management of most HSAPB's properties to the City of St. Augustine Department of Historic Preservation and Heritage Tourism. The City's stewardship included operation of Governor's House and the HSAPB's research library.
2010
The State reassigned management of these properties, including Governor's House and the research library, to the University of Florida (UF) in 2010. The University tasked a governing board - University of Florida Historic St. Augustine, Inc. - to manage state-owned properties in St. Augustine. They were to ensure long-term preservation and interpretation of the former HSAPB's sites. The research library fell under the management of UF's George A. Smathers Libraries .
Today
Governor's House Cultural Center and Museum, including the research library, remain under the care of University of Florida Historic St. Augustine, Inc. and UF's George A. Smathers Libraries. The ground floor of the building is open to the public as museum with exhibit galleries and event space. The second floor houses the Governor's House Library and research laboratories of the Preservation Institute St. Augustine (PISA) - affiliated with UF's Historic Preservation Program . Many of the former HSAPB sites operate as commercial and residential rentals, some with interpretive exhibits. Together with PISA's researchers, Governor's House Library continues to welcome researchers interested in St. Augustine's built heritage.
EXPLORE HISTORIC ST. AUGUSTINE
HSAPB transformed the the city's built landscape by completing over 29 restoration and reconstruction projects during their existence. Use this map to explore their architectural legacy. To view a larger version of this map, please click here .
St. Augustine: An Authentic Reproduction
CREATED BY
Casey Wooster, Collections Assistant, Governor's House Library
Laura Marion, Collections Manager, Governor's House Library
