Exhibits
Settling America: An interactive introductory exhibition that focuses on the maritime history, culture and archaeology of St. Augustine. The CD-ROM program includes games, stories, timelines and a glossary of terms. This exhibit is open to the public free of charge.
Storing Memories: This exhibit focuses on the untold stories of women, children and the great ethnic variety of workers at the lighthouse. Research for this exhibit was compiled from the museum's oral history program. A CD-ROM program offers games for kids. A knot-tying board features knots used by mariners and allows guests to try their hand at this dying art.
Guardians of the Coast: Opened in April 2002, this exhibit tells the local (and national) story of conflict during WWII when armed guards were atop the tower and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) trained men and women (SPARs) in St. Augustine for posts around the world. As a supplement to the permanent exhibit, in winter 2002/2003 the museum featured the traveling exhibit "Florida in WWII: An Intimate Portrait."
Living in and Working a Lighthouse: This exhibit explores the keepers' lives and duties on the property from 1824 to 1955. Running the lighthouse was a family task. A "scrapbook" holds photos of various lighthouse families and artifacts recovered from an archaeological dig of a privy. A timeline sets the lighthouse in context with local, national and world events.
Underwater Archaeology: This exhibit introduces visitors to archaeological methods and shows underwater footage of artifact recovery. Models of extant shipwrecks show areas designated for future use as underwater parks. High school students working with the archaeologists are now mapping these sites, and the exhibit provides recognition for these young people.
From Beans to Bullets: Based on artifacts recovered from the 1764 wreck of the sloop "Industry" that brought the recently occupied British settlement of St. Augustine. The Spanish colonists not only abandoned the town but took everything of value with them, including iron nails from boards. The "Industry" wreck is the first time maritime archaeologists have been able to study the wreck of a vessel bringing supplies to an extant colony in the new world.
All text and images, unless otherwise noted, are copyright Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program, Inc. We extend permission to scholars, students, and other interested members of the public to use images and to quote from text for non-commercial educational or research purposes, provided LAMP is acknowledged and credited. If there are any questions regarding the use of LAMP’s work, please inquire at LAMP@staugustinelighthouse.org.
