Lightner Museum

At the core of the museum are its diverse and captivating collections. Otto C. Lightner, a leading figure in the early 20th-century American hobbyist movement, created the museum to share his extensive and eclectic collection with the public. From ornate Gilded Age furniture and American art glass to vintage typewriters and whimsical curiosities, the Lightner Museum’s holdings reflect a wide range of interests and eras. These permanent collections are complemented by changing exhibitions that further the museum’s mission of education, inspiration, and discovery.

Museum Information

• Address: 75 King St.
• Phone: (904) 824-2874
• Website: www.lightnermuseum.org
• Free Digital Guide

The Lightner Museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with last admission at 4:00 p.m. The museum is closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Free family guides are available for visitors with young children.

The Lightner Museum Store is located at the front of the Lightner building at 75 King Street and can be visited without purchasing museum admission. The Museum Store offers an array of distinctive merchandise inspired by historic St. Augustine, the museum’s iconic building, and its collections and exhibitions.

Enhance your visit with the Lightner Museum’s free digital guide. Enjoy audio tours, learn more about what’s on view, discover collection and exhibition highlights, and access exclusive content — all from your mobile device. Explore the museum at your own pace, then revisit your favorite works anytime, anywhere.

Nearby Attractions

Villa Zorayda Museum

The Villa Zorayda Museum is a historic home at 83 King Street that was inspired by Granada’s 12th-century Moorish Alhambra Palace. Built in 1883 by Boston millionaire Franklin Smith, the residence features various Egyptian and Middle Eastern antiques and works of art.

Government House

Located adjacent to the Plaza de la Constitucion, the Government House served as the official residence of the colonial governor from 1740 until 1821. It has also served as a military hospital, courthouse, post office and customs house. There is a local history museum on the first floor.

Flagler College

Now the crown jewel of Flagler College, the former Ponce de Leon Hotel was completed in 1888. Carrere and Hastings used the same dramatic Spanish Revival style as they had for the Alcazar Hotel. The interior features murals by George Maynard and architectural details credited to Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Ximenez-Fatio House

The Ximenez-Fatio House is one of the country’s most authentic and best-preserved examples of Second Spanish Period residential architecture. Located in the center of Old Town and furnished with period pieces such as a boarding house, it chronicles Florida’s first tourism boom beginning in the 1820s.

FAQs

What is inside the Lightner Museum?

At the heart of the Lightner Museum are its remarkable and eclectic collections. From Gilded Age furniture and vintage typewriters to American art glass and Victorian mechanical musical instruments, the museum offers visitors an extraordinary glimpse into the art, culture, and daily life of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These permanent collections are complemented by an active schedule of changing exhibitions that further the museum’s mission of education, inspiration, and discovery.

How long does it take to go through the Lightner Museum St. Augustine?

On average, museum visitors spend between one and two hours touring the museum.

Who built the Lightner Museum?

The museum is housed in the former Hotel Alcazar, a grand Gilded Age resort hotel commissioned in 1888 by Standard Oil executive Henry Flagler. Chicago publisher and collector, Otto C. Lightner, transformed the Hotel Alcazar into a museum that opened in 1948.

Where is the Lightner Museum?

The Lightner Museum is located at the heart of downtown St. Augustine, Florida. The museum’s address is 75 King St., St Augustine, Florida, 32084.