St. Augustine’s History Festival runs through Sunday

St. Augustine — The St. Augustine History Festival will run from May 11 - May 15 in various venues throughout St. Augustine. The festival was created and by the University of Florida Historic St. Augustine, Inc., and the Lastinger Family Foundation. The five-day festival will showcase the Ancient City’s history by conducting special events at the City’s historic venues, from its founding date of 1565 to today.

More than 21 events in just as many venues will showcase the unique history of the Ancient City.

Roger Smith, the festival’s coordinator said that although the event welcomes tourists, it was geared to the locals.

“Our advertising, our marketing has been very local and we have turned down opportunities to broaden our market because we want our locals to understand that we are here for them and we want this to be about them,” he said.

Smith added that the goal was to bring attention to St. Augustine’s historical sites and promote them.

“The University of Florida has done an amazing job of supporting this program financially as well as with its technical support,” he said.

Ed Poppell, Vice President Emeritus of the University of Florida said the Board of Directors had total buy-in to the festival.

“Their strategic plan focused on how do we to celebrate history, how do we promote history but also involve all of the local venues that have been doing so all along,” he said.

In a recent statement, The University of Florida said that they partnered directly with support organizations to ensure the long-term preservation and interpretation of state-owned historic properties in St. Augustine.

“These historic preservation initiatives and education programs will help preserve and maintain the City’s archaeology, cultural resources management, cultural tourism, history, and museum administrations. The programs will also educational internships and practicums.”

Schedule:

Button Discovery: A Trophy of War!/May 11/6:30 p.m /St. Augustine Lighthouse

Dr. Paul Johnston of the Smithsonian Institution and Dr. Roger Smith of the St. Augustine Historical Society will discuss how/why a pewter button with “U.S.A.” clearly engraved on its front side was found recently among the debris of a British ship that sank off the coast of East Florida in 1782.

https://www.staugustinehistoryfestival.com/event/button-discovery-a-trophy-of-war/

Medical Practices of Spanish Florida/May 12, 2022/4 p.m. /Map Gallery in the Dunham Building Oldest House Museum Complex

Dr. Miller will focus on disease theory, medical education, common diseases and their treatments in Spanish Florida.

https://www.staugustinehistoryfestival.com/event/dr-christina-miller-uf-school-of-medicine-colonial-medical-practices/

Governor’s House Art Gallery Governor’s House Art Gallery Opening with the Vickers Collection/May 13/10 a.m. to 5 p.m. /Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum

The Vickers Collection is gifted by Samuel H. and Roberta T. Vickers who formed one of the world’s most extensive collections of Florida-themed art. Displays include coastlines and natural waterways, depictions of well-known historic landmarks, and popular forms of entertainment.

https://www.staugustinehistoryfestival.com/event/pre-opening-gala/

Interpretive Panel Unveiling/May 13, 2022/10 a.m. to 2 p.m./Fort Mose State Park and Museum

Fort Mose Historical Society will introduce new interpretive panels into their museum.

https://www.staugustinehistoryfestival.com/event/interpretive-panel-unveiling/

Dr. J. Michael Francis Lecture, “Life and Death in Colonial St. Augustine”/May 13/ 5 p.m. to 7 p.m./ Flagler College/ the Virginia Room in the Ringhaver Student Center

Explore the early history of colonial St. Augustine focusing on the rich corpus of baptism, confirmation, marriage and death records housed in St. Augustine’s Diocesan Archive.

https://www.staugustinehistoryfestival.com/event/dr-j-michael-francis-talk/

Preservation, Resilience, and Archaeology Lectures:/Saturday, May 14/Historic Waterworks Building/184 San Marco Avenue

“Resilient Heritage: Mitigating the Threat of Sea Level Rise to Historic Resources”/11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“History Beneath Your Feet”/ 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

https://www.staugustinehistoryfestival.com/event/historic-st-augustine-waterworks/

Dr. Amy Larner Giroux: St. Augustine National Cemetery Tour and Discussion/Saturday, May 14/10:30 a.m. /St. Augustine National Cemetery

Learn about Native Americans, POWS, Civil War Soldiers, and Seminole War casualties.

https://www.staugustinehistoryfestival.com/event/dr-amy-larner-giroux-st-augustine-national-cemetery-tour-and-discussion/

Premier Viewing of the Documentary “Crossing in St. Augustine”/Saturday, May 14/ 2:30 p.m./Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center

https://www.staugustinehistoryfestival.com/event/15958/

Drake’s Raid Reenactment/Saturday, May 14/7 p.m. to 9 p.m./Oldest House Museum on Charlotte Street

16th Century Camps and Demonstrations

https://www.staugustinehistoryfestival.com/event/drakes-raid-reenactment/

©2022 Cox Media Group