Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
The Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board

HSAPB logo
Florida state agency overview
Formed	March 1958 (1958-03)
Dissolved	June 1997
Jurisdiction	St. Augustine, Florida, United States
Headquarters	St. Augustine, Florida

The Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board (HSAPB) was a special group in Florida. It worked to save and fix up old buildings in St. Augustine, Florida. This group was active from 1959 to 1997.

It was started in 1959 by Governor LeRoy Collins. The HSAPB bought, fixed, and protected many historic places in St. Augustine. The State of Florida closed the agency in June 1997.

How It Started

An old postcard showing restoration work in St. Augustine.

In March 1958, some people from St. Augustine asked Florida's Governor LeRoy Collins for help. They wanted a plan to save the city's old downtown area.

On June 11, 1959, a new law was passed. This law created the St. Augustine Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission. It also gave them $150,000 to begin their important work.

The first members of this Commission were Herbert E. Wolfe, Leonard Usina, William F. Rolleston, William L. Sims II, and Henrietta Poynter. Mr. Wolfe, who lived in St. Augustine, was the first leader. He served from 1959 to 1969.

The Commission hired an expert named Earle Newton. He helped them make a plan to restore and save St. Augustine's buildings. The main goal was to fix up the old colonial buildings. They wanted them ready for the city's 400th birthday party in 1965.

The buildings they planned to restore were from different time periods. These included the First Spanish Period (1565-1763), the British Period (1763-83), and the Second Spanish Period (1783-1821). They also worked on buildings from the early American Period (after 1821).

Senator Verle Pope and Representatives Charlie Usina and Gus Craig strongly supported this work. They helped get another $300,000 to continue the restoration efforts.

The first building the Commission fixed was the Arrivas House. It is on St. George Street. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson officially opened it on March 11, 1963. The Commission used the second floor of the Arrivas House as their office. In 1970, they moved their offices to the Government House.

On May 5, 1970, the Commission changed its name. It became the Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board (HSAPB). In June 1997, the State of Florida closed the agency. This was part of a law called the Sundown Act.

After the HSAPB closed, the City of St. Augustine took care of its properties. Later, UF Historic St. Augustine, Inc. (UFHSA) took over. This group is part of the University of Florida.

San Agustín Antiguo: A Living Museum

In 1963, the HSAPB opened a special place called San Agustín Antiguo. This was a living history museum village. Imagine walking into the past!

At San Agustín Antiguo, people dressed in old costumes. They gave tours of the restored buildings. They also showed how people lived and worked long ago. Visitors could see how things were made during the First and Second Spanish Periods, and the British Period.

Some of the crafts they showed included blacksmithing (working with metal), weaving (making cloth), printing, candle dipping, silversmithing (working with silver), pottery (making things from clay), baking, and leather making.

Even after the HSAPB closed, a smaller version of San Agustín Antiguo continued. UF Historic St. Augustine, Inc. still runs it today.

How the Board Was Organized

The HSAPB was managed by a group of seven directors. The main leader of this group was called the Chairman.

Some of the people who served as Chairman were:

• Lawrence Lewis, Jr. (1969-1972)
• John D. Bailey (1972-1975)
• Michael V. Gannon (1975-1980, 1985-1987)
• Henry W. McMillan (1980-1985)
• Bill Daniell (1987-1989)
• John Sundeman (1989-1990)
• Bill Rose (1991-1997)

Buildings They Restored

The HSAPB worked on many historic buildings in St. Augustine. Here is a list of some of the properties they restored or rebuilt:

See also

• St. Augustine, Florida
• Historic preservation