Historic Coast Culture

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Historic Coast Culture

There’s culture around every corner of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & Florida’s Historic Coast! Discov

06/11/2025

On June 11, 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested in St. Augustine on the steps of the Monson Motor Lodge.

"We have some dear white friends here who are with us, and we want to eat together," King told the owner of the segregated restaurant. This peaceful insistence earned him a trip to St. Johns County Jail–the ONLY time he was arrested in Florida.

Of course, this act of civil disobedience was a strategic move. King was putting a national spotlight on segregation to help push the stalled Civil Rights Act forward. His arrest and subsequent protests in St. Augustine shocked the country and galvanized support for the legislation, which passed just weeks later.

The Monson Motor Lodge is no more. But, the original steps where King stood have been thankfully preserved by the Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront (you can see them outside the building), and the original sign can be found in the Accord Freedom Trail & Civil Rights Museum of St. Augustine. Both are powerful reminders of the impact St. Augustine had on the Civil Rights Movement.

06/10/2025

Love St. Augustine’s charm, history and culture? Then vote for it in Condé Nast Traveler's Readers’ Choice Awards: https://bit.ly/StAugVoteCondeNast

The Nation’s Oldest City is nominated along with sites in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra in the Hotel, Restaurant, Beach and Resort categories. 🗳️ To vote, visit the above link, and select “cities." Type in “St. Augustine,” and select it from the list. You can do the same to find local spots in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra in the other categories.

🏆 Voting is only open through June 30, so don’t wait.

🛳️ You could even win an eight-day cruise along the Rhine, including calls at Amsterdam, Cologne and Basel.

06/06/2025

Here’s your guide to a perfect day in St. Augustine! 🌿☀️

Our latest newsletter is packed with ways to enjoy the season, because there’s no better time to stroll St. Augustine’s charming streets, dine al fresco and shop the open-air markets. See the newsletter here: https://bit.ly/StAugNewsletter06-06-25

Then, come enjoy First Friday Art Walks, West King Wednesdays, the Nocatee Market and weekly Saturday markets at The St. Augustine Amphitheatre (shown). You’ll also find information in the newsletter about Music & Art by the Sea and boat tours–for a fresh perspective on St. Augustine’s rich history, coastal cuisine and waterfront music.

Subscribe to get all things St. Augustine delivered to your inbox: https://tinyurl.com/StAugNewsletterSubscribe

06/05/2025

Viva Mose! Witness the return of a historic first. ✨

The newly reconstructed Fort Mose, a replica of the 1738 fort, is now open, honoring the first legally sanctioned free Black settlement in what is now the United States!

This rebuild brings to life a story of freedom and resilience when the path to liberation actually led south.

Watch the short clip from WUCF TV’s video, in which Regina Phillips, Executive Director of Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center, briefly details Fort Mose's history—and then pay a visit to really feel that history.

In fact you can join them for their reenactments of the Battle of Bloody Mose on June 28 (11 am and 1 pm).

📍 15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine, FL

Fort Mose Historical Society

06/04/2025

The perfect place to celebrate the red, white and BOOM! 💥🇺🇸

Why be anywhere else this 4th of July? St. Augustine’s is one of the most spectacular shows on the East Coast. Watch the sky light up above the historic Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, and see the reflections dance across the bay!

🎶 The festivities start at 6pm with a free concert by The All Star Orchestra in the Plaza de la Constitución.

🎆 Then at 9:30pm, the fireworks launch, capping off the night with color and magic.

Make your plans now, and get all the details you need–from best viewing spots to parking and road closures–right here: https://bit.ly/StAugJuly4Fireworks

📸 Merriam Multimedia

06/03/2025

Seven concerts. One historic setting. All Free. 🆓🎶

Enjoy summer nights and world-class sound for free in the heart of the nation’s oldest city. The St Augustine Music Festival returns for its 19th season this June, bringing seven unforgettable evenings of classical music to the Cathedral Basilica of St.Augustine.

All concerts begin at 7:30 pm and are made possible by music lovers and generous support from the TDC and St. Johns Cultural Council. ✨

🎻 The concerts include:

June 19: Juneteenth with the Ritz Chamber Players
June 20: Season’s Best featuring fan favorite violinist Nigel Armstrong
June 21: Piano Spectacular
June 22: Bach to Mozart
June 27: Celestial Sounds with the Indianapolis Children's Choir (shown)
June 28: Perfect Balance and Beauty featuring Alex Cooper’s Rhythmic Colors
June 29: Mozart and More including the return of Piotr Szewczyk’s St. Augustine Suite (shown)

📍 Plan your visit at https://bit.ly/StAugMusicFestival2025

05/30/2025

This , we celebrate a beacon of light that has stood the test of time, and the community of people who refused to let it fade.

The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum has guided mariners since 1874, and it still does today. With its original Fresnel lens shining from 165 feet above Anastasia Island, it remains an active aid to navigation and a powerful symbol of our maritime heritage.

Saved from demolition in 1980 by the Junior Service League of St. Augustine, the lighthouse was carefully restored over the next 15 years. The League raised more than $1.2 million and took a hands-on role in preserving the Keeper’s House, the lighthouse tower and the original lens. Thanks to their work, the lighthouse recently celebrated its 150th year and is a Smithsonian Affiliate and accredited museum dedicated to preserving the stories of the Nation’s Oldest Port.

We’re proud to join National Trust for Historic Preservation in celebrating the who make it all possible.

For more information visit https://bit.ly/StAugLighthouseAndMuseum

📸

05/28/2025

Congratulations Caroline Hatchett and The Bitter Southerner on your James Beard Award nomination!

Caroline’s article, “Clam South,” is up for the MFK Fisher Distinguished Writing Award. The piece tells stories of southern clam culture, including that of St. Augustine’s Mary Ellen Masters, who has been serving her famous Minorcan Clam Chowder at the St-Ambrose Catholic-Church Spring Fair for over 40 years. Originally writing about Mary Ellen without attending the fair, Caroline promised she’d return… and did so this year (see photo). She then wrote about that trip for her "hometown paper," the The New York Times!

This nomination celebrates not only Caroline’s skillful storytelling but also the rich food traditions that connect St. Augustine’s community.

Read the article here: https://bit.ly/StAugBitterSouthernerChowder

📸 Caroline Hatchett with Mary Ellen Masters (on right)

05/28/2025

The final show of our concert season is going to be so very special! Please make plans to join us for the long-awaited return of interntional touring artists Sparky and Rhonda Rucker with Veronika Jackson! Ticket link below. As part of the St. Johns County Juneteenth celebrations, Sparky and Rhonda will bring history alive with their gifted storytelling and musicianship. Veronika Jackson will bring her unique style of Piedmont blues guitar and compelling vocals to educate and inspire you too. Come and enjoy an inspiring evening as our final event of the season! Tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sparky-and-rhonda-rucker-live-from-the-waterworks-st-augustine-62125-tickets-1278215650419?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

05/25/2025

This , we remember. 🇺🇸

In the heart of St. Augustine’s Plaza de la Constitución stands a quiet but powerful reminder of sacrifice. The WWII Monument, dedicated in 1946, honors the St. Johns County residents who gave their lives in World War II. In the years since, plaques were added to commemorate those lost in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, making this a lasting tribute to generations of local heroes.

Take a moment to reflect, remember and give thanks.

Read more about St. Augustine’s wartime legacy here: https://bit.ly/StAugWWIIMilitaryStories

📸 Brandon D. Cross

05/23/2025

Once a hotel. Now a museum. Still a masterpiece. 🏨

In celebration of , let's walk through how the 's Hotel Alcazar was transformed into today’s Lightner Museum.

Built in 1888 by Henry Flagler, the Alcazar (Flagler's second hotel in St. Augustine) was famed for its Moorish Revival architecture, grand ballroom, luxurious bathhouse and the world’s largest indoor pool at the time. After closing in 1931, the building was purchased in 1946 by Otto C. Lightner, the publisher of Hobbies magazine. Lightner renovated the space to showcase his vast and eclectic collection, opening the Lightner Museum in 1948.

Today, the Lightner Museum continues to preserve and celebrate history, and we’re proud to join the National Trust for Historic Preservation in celebrating the who make it all possible.

05/22/2025

Forks up. 🍴 Shades on. 😎 It’s patio season! ⛱️

Your table is ready, outside! From rooftop cocktails to waterfront, fire-grilled feasts, the restaurants of St. Augustine and St. Johns County are serving al fresco perfection.

Dine in style at local favorites, like Cap's On The Water (shown), Pesca Rooftop and River & Fort. Wondering where to start? See our list of 10 restaurants with a view: https://bit.ly/StAugAlFrescoRestaurants

Address

184 San Marco Avenue
Saint Augustine, FL
32084

Website

http://www.historiccoastculture.com/, http://stjohnsculture.com/

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