courtyard_mural2
This rendition of a courtyard in colonial St. Augustine, Fla, by artist Michael Rosato is from the “First Colony: Our Spanish Origins” exhibit.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Explore the rich archaeology of St. Augustine through an all-day trip Aug. 3 with the Florida Museum of Natural History and University of Florida Creative B program.

Gain an all access pass to the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, Colonial Quarter, Castillo de San Marcos and Government House Museum. The trip also includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the Florida Museum’s upcoming exhibit “First Colony: Our Spanish Origins,” which highlights St. Augustine as the nation’s oldest permanent European settlement. The exhibit is scheduled to open to the public in October.

“This trip provides an experience only the museum can offer,” said museum education assistant Tiffany Ireland. “Participants have the opportunity to visit important sites led by the scientists and researchers who have excavated and study artifacts detailing the 500-year-old culture and history of St. Augustine.

Dig Site
Researchers collect data at an excavation site in the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St. Augustine, Fla.
Florida Museum of Natural History photo by Darcie MacMahon

Museum historical archaeology collections manager Gifford Waters, who has conducted extensive research in St. Augustine, will lead the tour. Participants will travel by bus, leaving the museum at 8:30 a.m. and returning at 6 p.m. Registration is $65; or $50 for museum members and $10 for UF students with a valid Gator 1 ID.

For more information, call 352-273-2061 or visit https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/calendar/grid/st-augustine-field-trip/ to register.

-30-

Writer: Francis Diaz, fdiaz@flmnh.ufl.edu
Source: Tiffany Ireland, tireland@flmnh.ufl.edu, 352-273-2061
Media contact: Paul Ramey, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu, 352-273-2054