1798 – 2022 Celebrating 223 years of St. Augustine History
"The old houses, built of a kind of stone which is seemingly a pure concretion of small shells, overhang thestreets with their wooden balconies; and the gardens between the houses are fenced on the side of the street with high walls of stone. Peeping over these walls you see branches of the pomegranate, and of the orange-tree now fragrant with flowers, and, rising yet higher, the leaning boughs of the fig with its broad luxuriantleaves." Poet, William Cullen Bryant describing St. Augustine in April 1843.
Every Room Has a Story…
In 1798, Don Andres Ximenez built this fine three-story coquina home for his bride, Juana Pellicer. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of overnight guests sought refuge within our walls from war, sickness, hurricanes, and to start new adventures in the paradise of Florida, just to name a few. For 223 years this home has been owned and operated by generations of enterprising women and continues to still be owned and operated by women today. Learn more about our story…
What Will You Discover?
The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum is proud to offer a variety of specialty tours and events across an array of topics for all interests and ages. From tales of life as an enslaved person in antebellum St. Augustine, our colonial gardens, archaeological discoveries, and after-hours tours by candlelight sharing our spooky side, there is always something happening at our historic house museum and property! Continue reading to explore more!
There is Always Something Happening at the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum!
Upcoming Events
Everyday Life Tour
Our classic museum tour gives guests a broad overview of the over 220 years of history at the Ximenez-Fatio House. Beginning in 1798, with the construction of the home during the Second Spanish Period by our first owner, Andres Ximenez, explore how townsfolk lived in Colonial Spanish Florida. As you move into the American Territorial Period beginning in 1821, discover how early American Floridians created a new industry: tourism. Meet our first woman owner who converted the residence into a fine boarding house for visitors. We will tell you about the women who own this building and property, the people who ran it, and the guests who frequented it.
The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum’s Everyday Life tour is available Monday to Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Docent guided tours are available at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm, weather permitting. Self-guided audio tours are available all day until 4:15pm.
Can you help Heston, our museum cat, find his way through our museum? This family friendly scavenger hunt is features an interactive tour through our museum through either an self-guided audio or docent guided tour. Bonus! – Friday and Saturday during the month of September museum admission for kids 12 and under is free with a paid adult admission!
James and Sally Anne Kellogg Lecture Series – “Uncovering Black Society in 19th Century Florida”
Monday’s in October we will present a special lecture series as a continuation of our acclaimed program, “I Lived Here, As Well”. We will further explore the lives of early black Floridians and learn more about some of the invisible hands protrayed in our annual spring program. Join us virtually as experts in the field of Florida Black History share their research and take us on a deep dive into stories untold and a world unknown to many outside of the academic community. To learn more and register, click here!
Halloween just might be our favorite holiday here at the museum so we decided why not celebrate all month long?! Join us throughout the month of October for activities and programs with just the right amount of spookiness for all ages and interests.
“The Ximenez-Fatio House Presents: Mortality and Mourning – A Century of Death”
Our annual Twilight Tour is back with a deathly twist. An untimely death has occured and the XF House has gone into mourning. During this after-hours candlelight tour of the museum, learn about the ways St. Augustine townsfolk of the 1800’s practiced medicine and mourning rituals from Spanish-American last rites, Victorian Spiritualism, to Afro-Caribbean practices. Learn how illnesses were treated with at-home remedies from our colonial garden and original 1798 kitchen. A rotation of guest storytellers will share their spookiest short story with guests, as well. This is a family-friendly nighttime activity for anyone looking to get into the Halloween spirit! Tours will take place every Friday and Saturday night from September 30 to October 29. Tickets are $15.00 per person
Community Safe Trick-or-Treating and Fall Harvest Fest
Our museum staff, and maybe even Heston and his pal Midnight, will be donning our best Halloween costumes and again hosting a Fall Harvest Fest and Safe Trick-or-Treating in our courtyard and house museum on October 29th from 1pm to 4pm. This is a family-friendly event for all ages and quickly becoming a favorite for our staff and visitors! Activities will include kids crafts, make-your-own caramel apple bowl bar, games, contests, and, of course, lots of candy! See full details here!
Professional Paranormal Investigations
Looking to explore our museum’s ghostly side with a professional paranormal researcher? The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum has partnered with A Night Among Ghosts to provide hands-on paranormal investigations utilizing a variety of investigative techniques. Find out more here!
Check out our full schedule of October and beyond events here!
