St Augustine's Colonial Spanish Quarter (Photo credit: Gregory Moine)
After a long process of planning and decision making based on who would be the best candidate to take over the operation of the closed-down Colonial Spanish Quarter, the University of Florida chose the St Augustine Pirate Treasure Museum owned by Pat Croce over two other candidates – Historic Tours of America (Old Town Trolley) and the St Augustine Lighthouse Museum. The two-acre property was previously closed due to lack of support to keep it operating status quo. Many residents and employees were saddened by this decision made last year. When the news came out that companies would be able to place bids on its operation, residents and previous employees expressed their concerns about the property being historically accurate with new management and were strongly opposed to seeing a “Little Disney” erupt. See related articles from Rhonda Parker on the public’s reactions to the closure and decision process.
After careful selection made by a panel of University of Florida officials, the Pirate and Treasure Museum of St Augustine and Pat Croce’s team were chosen due to having the most favorable ideas for the living history museum. Their plans have now been revealed for this unique property.
: Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
To start the once named “Colonial Spanish Quarter” has been given a new name – “Colonial Quarter” – no Spanish. Why, because new plans will include not only the Spanish period of St Augustine but three whole centuries of history and all of St Augustine’s many cultures that settled here during the centuries it was a colony. The new plan will allow visitors to travel back in time through St Augustine’s 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries!
The structure for the museum will be reviewed this Thursday at 2pm at City Hall inside Lightner Museum by the city’s Historic Architectural Review Board. Maintaining the properties historical accuracy is a must. Profit a very close second!
A Sneak Peek at Their Plans
St Augustine's Colonial Spanish Quarter (Photo credit: Gregory Moine)
The new Colonial Quarter with entrances on St George Street, Fort Alley, Avenida Menendez, and Cuna Streets has a whole new vision; including a 16th century military outpost containing an enormous ship of the later 1500’s under construction, militia men in full garb, and merchants selling items of the time period. The setting will be authentic and give the visitor the real step-back-in-time feel as they wonder through the unique presentations. A 17th century town and 18th century British colony will also be fully presented.
Flags will fly above representing Spanish, African-American, British, Menorcan, and Native American cultures who settled St Augustine throughout its 450 years as an occupied settlement.
Entrance to the Colonial Spanish Quarter (Photo credit: Hillarie)
One amazing exhibit that Cindy Stavely – Executive Director of the Quarter has revealed is a wooden watchtower, which re-creates one that was utilized here over these centuries to warn St Augustinians of impending attacks. This item will feature a virtual viewfinder. When looked through visitors can see the city as it once existed under construction in the late 1600’s. Stavely describes it as “A Cool Panorama”!
The Quarter will have tables set up to seat at least 250 making that attraction especially welcoming to schools and large groups of visitors, and those within the community.
Once permits are in place, the new Colonial Quarter should take four months to re-open its doors. What is exciting to the community is that it will play a significant role in St Augustine signature events and our 450th celebration in 2015!
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