Celebrating 125 years of Hotel Ponce de Leon

Long before it became Flagler College, Henry Flagler’s Hotel Ponce de Leon was recognized as one of the grandest hotel resorts of its day; and, on Saturday, January 12, you can return to the Gilded Age when the public is invited for free tours and special events celebrating the historic landmark’s 125th birthday.

The orchestra will play the Star Spangled Banner on the loggias at 9:30 a.m., as guests relive the experience of January 12, 1888 when the Hotel Ponce de Leon first opened its doors.

Those attending will walk the same halls as Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison and Henry Flagler, as trumpeters announce the arrival of the guests. Until 2:00 p.m., mingle with the guests and hotel staff and perhaps say hello to the Flagler’s as they dine in the Hotel’s grand dining room in the glow of its famous Tiffany glass windows.

Through the years, the hotel’s distinctive Spanish Renaissance architecture and lavish decorations attracted the wealthy and the elite — from presidents to movie stars.

Flagler College will mark the 125th anniversary of this National Historic Landmark with special tours throughout 2013; including community events and programs that commemorate the historic building and the legacy of Henry Flagler.

Art Exhibit –
January 11 – February 22, 2013
Crisp-Ellert ArtMuseum on the campus of Flagler College
Planning and Painting in Paradise: The Art and Architecture of the Hotel Ponce de Leon
Displayed will be historically and culturally significant ephemera relating to the construction and early years of the Hotel Ponce de Leon. This will include original Carrere and Hasting and McGuire drawings and blueprints, photographs, a copy of an 1885 map, and construction documents. Additionally, the exhibit highlights a group of artists who made the Hotel Ponce de Leon their seasonal home during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Original artwork and other artifacts related to their time in Saint Augustine will also be displayed.

Flagler College is located at 74 King Street in St Augustine. Visit Celebrating the Legacy: 125 years of the Hotel Ponce de Leon www.ponce125.com for more details.