“Finally, I’ve been free as long as I’ve been a slave”
I Lived Here, As Well
Over the 225-year history of the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, many have come through our doors. Weary travelers welcomed through the proper front entrance, guests enjoyed the luxuries of home, with a bit of Florida style, and the ill healed in the midst of warm sunshine and clean sea breezes. There were some who passed through our doors, however, who were unseen. Those who may have used the front door but went unnoticed. Some who never used the front door as they rarely left. They lived here, as well, but their stories are not as widely known. We at the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum believe the time has come to share their story. “I Lived Here, As Well” is their story.
…Together
Our newest installment of the series combines the 2022 and 2021 programs into a single performance called: I Lived Here, As Well …Together.” In the past two years, the series has presented individually, the perspective of a male enslaved person and a female enslaved person, but never together. In the 2023 edition, guests will be joined by two actors portraying each viewpoint to witness the harsh conditions of slavery, and life after. The program will include stories and accounts not heard during our traditional museum tour, along with full access to the third-floor exhibit area.
Through meticulous research we have crafted the stories of the people who were the backbone of the businesses operated on our property, and the the families they served. We look forward to sharing their stories with you.
Our Doors are Open to All
At the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, guests are invited to step into a 224-year-old boarding house and experience, firsthand, the stories of the people that lived within it. the “I Lived Here, As Well” program is a series of interpretive Black History tours in which the ‘tour guides’ are actors who portray several characters from St. Augustine’s past. Some of these characters are people who we know lived in the house, like Louisa Williams, a previously enslaved woman who was freed by Union troops in St. Augustine in 1862. Other characters were crafter to represent enslaved and freed people who were documented as working in this house, but whose names were never recorded.
“I Lived Here, As Well – Together” will run on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings at 10:00am from Thursday, January 19th through Saturday February 25th, 2023. The tour is open to the public, led by costumed historical actors, and lasts approximately 60 minutes. Admission is $22.00 per person and ticket sales will open on December 13th, 2022. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available by clicking the “Book Now” button below.
The staff of the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum would like to extend a special thank you to the above organizations who have made this program available to the public through their generous support. – Thank you