Government House (St. Augustine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Government House
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May 2019
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | 48 King St., St. Augustine, Florida |
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| NRHP reference No. | 13000812 |
| Added to NRHP | January 7, 2014 |
Government House (also known as Governor's House) is a historic building in St. Augustine, Florida. You can find it at 48 King Street, right next to the Plaza de la Constitución. This important building is made from coquina, a special type of rock made from shells.
For many years, Government House was the official home for governors. This included leaders during the First Spanish Period (1565–1763), the British Period (1763–1784), and the Second Spanish Period (1784–1821). The first governor to build a home on this spot was Gonzalo Méndez de Canço in 1598.
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A Home for Governors and More
The Government House has a long and interesting history. A new building was constructed here around 1706. It served as a home, an office, a courthouse, and a place for important social gatherings. The eastern part of the building you see today is from this original construction, built between 1706 and 1713.
British Rule and Famous Visitors
In 1763, Florida became a British territory because of the Treaty of Paris. During this time, Government House was the official residence for James Grant, the British governor of East Florida. He hosted many important guests, including the famous American explorer Daniel Boone. Boone visited to learn about buying land. Another guest was Patrick Tonyn, who later became the next governor.
Return to Spanish Control
After the American Revolutionary War, Florida was returned to Spain in 1783 by another Treaty of Paris. In 1784, General Nathanael Greene visited Government House. Governor Vicente Manuel de Céspedes hosted him for a grand seven-course meal. The governor's home was greatly improved between 1785 and 1787. The last governor to live here during the Second Spanish Period was Enrique White, who passed away in 1811.
Rebuilding and New Uses
By 1821, when Florida joined the United States, Government House was mostly in ruins. Only its walls remained. But in 1833–1834, the building was rebuilt using money from the government. The plans were drawn by architect Robert Mills, who later designed the famous Washington Monument. The new building used the old walls and had 16 rooms. It even had space for a post office and a courtroom. During the American Civil War, soldiers used the building as their headquarters.
Changes Over Time
In 1873, the building was remodeled again. Over the next 60 years, the post office and customs house took up more and more space as St. Augustine grew. In 1937, Government House was renovated once more. This was part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project, which created jobs during the Great Depression. The U.S. Postal Service continued to use the building until 1965.
A Public Monument and Museum
In 1966, Government House became a public monument for the State of Florida. Today, the ground floor is open to everyone as the Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum. It is managed by UF Historic St. Augustine, Inc. A research library from the University of Florida is located on the second floor.
Royal Visits to Government House
Government House has welcomed royalty! On April 1, 2001, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain visited St. Augustine. They appeared on the east balcony of Government House. Later, on September 17, 2015, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain also visited this historic site.
Government House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 7, 2014, recognizing its importance.
Governor's House Library
The Governor’s House Library was first started by a group called the St. Augustine Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission. This library helped them learn about how old houses were built and furnished. They also researched who lived in them and what daily life was like in colonial times. The collection grew to include books, photos, maps, and old documents.
In 1997, the state stopped funding this group. The City of St. Augustine then managed the library for over ten years. In 2010, the State took over again. Now, the University of Florida Historic St. Augustine, Inc. manages the historic properties, including the Governor’s House and its library.
The Governor's House Library is now managed by both UF Historic St. Augustine, Inc. and the UF George A. Smathers Libraries. Their goal is to protect and share historical information about St. Augustine's buildings and its people. The library's records help us understand how St. Augustine has changed over time.
Images for kids
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May 2019
