On July 1, 2003, one year after funding from the State of Florida, the new Visitor Center (pictured at right) opened to the public. A Special Category grant in the amount of $247,852 provided much of the funding for this significant project.

Designed in the Second Spanish Period to complement the historic house, the new handicapped-accessible facility is home to the rare c. 1650 Caravaca Cross discovered on the property in July 2002 during an archaeological investigation.

The Visitors Center includes an exhibition room with a wide array of educational and interpretive experiences. A computer touch screen interactive program and a DVD video presentation operate in tandem with text panels to provide entertaining and informative history about the Ximenez-Fatio House and St. Augustine History.

A museum store offers merchandise which supports the mission of the museum. In addition, hand finished reproductions of the Caravaca Cross in silver and gold are available there.

The upper floor of the building houses staff offices, and a research and work room for museum projects. Sensitive collection materials are conserved in climate controlled space.