Historic city home to Lightner collection

Robert Harper updated Historic City News today with good news for local residents wanting to explore the artifacts of America’s Gilded Age.

According to Harper, the Lightner Museum is always free to Saint Augustine and Saint Johns County residents — every day of the year except Christmas day.

“Our hours are 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.,” Harper said. “Our music demonstration is at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.”

The museum’s namesake, Chicago publisher Otto C. Lightner, purchased the former Alcazar Hotel from Henry Flagler to house his extensive collection of Victoriana in 1946 — the museum opened to the public two years later.

Among many intriguing items contained in the Lightner collection, are a marble statue of Cleopatra, sculpted in Italy by the late 19th century artist, Raffaelo Romanello, a unique glass piston machine made of blown and drawn glass in 1892 by Robert Howell, late 19th century period cut glass, and a Grande Dutch escritoire in the French tradition made for Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland; dated to the period 1806-1810.

The museum is handicapped and wheelchair accessible; located at 75 King Street in the heart of downtown St. Augustine. For additional information, call 904-824-2874.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph by Lightner Museum