Published by former Mayor George Gardner July 7 2012

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George Gardner 57 Fullerwood Drive St. Augustine FL 32084

UF plans First Colony exhibit

The University of Florida is preparing to convert the museum space in Government House into a $1.5 million First Colony: Our Spanish Origins exhibit.

Before the museum is closed July 23 to begin work on the exhibit - expected to open late next year - museum hours will be extended from 10 am to 4 pm daily to visit the current exhibit as well as a preview showcasing the themes and content of the new exhibit. Artist rendering of exhibit

"First Colony: Our Spanish Origins will present the story of the founding of St. Augustine, its nature as a military and civilian community, its multicultural character and its importance to American history," university officials say.

"The new exhibit was created based on scholarly research by the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida, and is being developed under grants from the Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State.

"The exhibit will be vital to the visitor experience and understanding of the unique Hispanic aspect of American history that is often unrecognized but will be celebrated as part of the City of St. Augustine's 450th Anniversary in 2015," university officials say.

After the 450th commemoration the exhibit "will then become available for nationwide touring to spread the story of St. Augustine and our national origins to a broader audience."

450th is

INN here

St. Augustine Historic Inns has created a great website http://www.450years.com/, a Celebration of St. Augustine, complete with history, events - even an opportunity for you to send in "ideas, suggestions, articles, events, or anything at all that may be of interest for the 450 Year Commemoration of St. Augustine."

The association of 26 bed and breakfast inns have a combined total of more than 240 "uniquely decorated and furnished rooms," markers of history in themselves.

Restoration of grand lobby also on university agenda

Another $1 million state grant from the Florida Division of Historical Resources will go toward rehabilitating the ground floor of Government House, the lobby and public restrooms.

Construction, scheduled for September 2012 to June 2013, "will restore some historic elements, particularly in the grand lobby, while also modernizing and slightly enlarging the exhibit space and adding a gift shop," according to the university.

"The rehabilitation design was preceded by extensive research into the building's history and architecture, which will be interpreted in new lobby display cases."

Key West suggests 'Historic Partners in Paradise' with us

The Mayor of Key West wants a partnership with St. Augustine to be known as "Historic Partners in Paradise."

The southern tourist town also wants permission to laser scan the city's statue of Ponce de Leon for a full scale replica in Mallory Square for the 500th anniversary of Ponce's historic voyage of exploration in the New World.

City commissioners Monday will discuss the proposals. The regular commission meeting begins at 5 pm in the Alcazar Room at City Hall.

Ripley wins mini golf site bid

Current lessee Ripley Entertainment has won the right to negotiate with the city to continue its lease of the miniature golf course on the bayfront, beating out Historic Tours of America in evaluation by a city staff team.

Tucked in the consent agenda for Monday's City Commission meeting will be a request to negotiate terms with Ripley.

The consent agenda carries items City Manager John Regan has briefed commissioners individually on (eleven are listed for Monday), and up until the last commission meeting was at least read by titles only. Any commissioner can pull an item for public discussion.

City Commissioners in May heard strong public support for retaining the historic mini course, rather than converting the space into an event venue. City Manager John Regan at the time promised to prepare a request for proposals (RFP) to retain the carpet golf facility but look at current property value and consider additional amenities for the bayfront site as well.

Opportunity to serve on city board

Two terms on the city's Planning and Zoning Board (PZB) expire September 30, and with both incumbents ineligible for reappointment, new faces can be expected on the seven-member board.

Both Carl Blow and John Valdes have completed two three-year terms on the board, one of three major citizen boards under the commission. The other two are the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB), and Code Enforcement, Adjustments and Appeals Board (CEB).

The board meets monthly in the Alcazar room at City Hall and handles zoning exceptions and variances as well as appeals of Planning and Building Department decisions, and recommends to the City Commission land rezoning or changes to the Comprehensive Plan.

To apply, contact City Clerk Alison Ratkovic aratkovic@citystaug.com 825-1007.

History's Highlight

Inns restore city's history

3 years, 2 months, 2 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary

Much of St. Augustine's history can be traced through the restoration efforts of its innkeepers. Among the 26 inns:

Bayfront Westcott House was built by Dr. John Westcott, who moved here in 1858 and developed the St. Johns Railroad from the San Sebastian River to Tocoi.

Old Powder House Inn originally housed gunpowder for the Castillo in the 18th century.

Old City House Inn & Restaurant was originally the stable for Boston merchant Holmes Ammidown's mansion on Cordova Street.

Bayfront Marin House began when Captain Henry Belknap bought a Victorian Cottage on Bay Street (now Avenida Menendez). In 1893 he attached a nearby cottage to the back of his home, then the remodeled coquina Marin house was added to create a three-house complex ranging in time from the colonial period to the Flagler era. Kenwood Inn

The Kenwood Inn was built as a hotel between 1865 and 1886, and was the first licensed bed and breakfast and is the oldest continuously operating inn in St Augustine.

Casa de Solana was built in 1763 and takes its name from the original owner, Don Manuel Lorenzo Solana, a member of one of the city's first Spanish families.

The Peace and Plenty Inn was built in the early 1890's by Conrad Decher, a wealthy German who immigrated to Boston. He and his wife came to St. Augustine for the social seasons (January through March). He built the first Bridge of Lions for his train line to service the beach area.

The Inn on Charlotte brick home was built in 1918 for a local attorney, Levi Nelson. It was built at a time when America was riding the wave of an economic high after The Great War which became known as the "roaring twenties."

Carriage Way is a traditional, Victorian style building constructed between 1883 and 1885 by Edward and Rosalie Masters for their family. The rooms are named for former owners and individuals who were significant to the history of the home - Masters, Pacetti, Pittman, Burkley ...

Castle Garden was originally the Castle Warden Carriage House, serving the estate built for William Grey Warden and his family as a winter residence and now housing the original Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum. The 160 year-old structure's original design remains virtually untouched, including the foundation and chimney from the old blacksmith's shop.

The St. Francis Inn dates from the city's Second Spanish Colonial Period (1791), and was not always named "St. Francis." During the first 20 years of this century, the building was identified as The Teahan House, Hudson House, Valencia Annex, (named after the Valencia Hotel which was located on the side of its current parking lot), Amity Apartments, Salt Air Apartments, Palms, and Graham House. In 1948 the inn was christened "The St. Francis Inn.

Other inns capture the ambiance of neighborhoods in simpler times.

Visit http://staugustineinns.com/

The St. Augustine Report is published weekly, with additional Reports previewing City Commission meetings as well as Special Reports. The Report is written and distributed by George Gardner, St. Augustine Mayor (2002-2006) and Commissioner (2006-2008) and a former newspaper reporter and editor. Contact the Report at gardner@aug.com