Lightener Museum

 Lightener Museum

March 10th, 2022 

 According to their website, "The Lightner Museum is dedicated to enriching the lives of visitors through our extraordinary collection, historic building, and dynamic exhibitions and programs. Founded in 1948 by Chicago publisher, collector, and professional hobbyist Otto C. Lightner, the museum offers an immersive experience of art, architecture, history, and design. The museum occupies the former Alcazar Hotel, a Gilded Age resort hotel commissioned by railroad magnate Henry Flagler. Completed in 1888, the magnificent Spanish Renaissance Revival building was designed by the prominent architecture firm of Carrère and Hastings".

Source Link: Website

Interior Images:

This first piece of art, is a sculpture and lamp found on the 3rd floor of the lighter museum. Although this piece looks like it could be from the Roman times due to the bare stone statues, the piece is just over 100 years old, and is a beautiful and playful addition to the lighter museum. 

This second image is a drawing named "Narrow Street in St. Augustine Florida". this piece was made in 1907 by German artist, Gustave Adolph Hoffmann. I chose this drawing because it shows how little the streets of St. Augustine have changed in the last 100 years. 

Exterior Images:

This exterior image of the front garden of the museum shows the beautiful walkway that leads to the fish pond located in the center of the garden. 

This second image, was also taken in the front garden of the museum, and highlights the archways that line the building. 

Literary In Conversation:

Website

The George Eastman Museum, located in Rochester NY, similarly to the Lightener Museum was once a home. This property, was once lived in by the socialite and music enthusiasts George Eastman is now occupied by beautiful gardens and stunning art. 

Website 

This painting of a koi fish came to mind when I walked across the bridge and noticed the giant fish that were below. This painting was made by Michael Creese highlighting the spots and elegancy of this natural creature. 

Literary In Conversation:

Craig Santos Perez: Habitat Threshold

We do not known which to fear more, 

the terror of change

or the terror of uncertainty,

While walking through the museum, it is clear that there is so much history. From the historic building, to the art work and furniture within. I chose this quote due to the line about change. Although much has changed since the building was first made, while walking through the building the combination of the different eras seem to bring you back in time. 

Creative Component:

Photo links: Website

This before and after shows the once Alcatraz Hotel pool turned into a fine dining room.

Tolomato Cemetery

Tolomato Cemetery

February 24th, 2022

According to their website, "Tolomato Cemetery is located in St Augustine, Florida, the oldest European-founded city in the United States, and was in use as a cemetery from the 18th century until 1884. This beautiful space is the last resting place of some 1,000 St. Augustinians, including many people important to the history of Florida and the United States.  It is a distillation of St Augustine history in less than one acre, starting with the First Spanish Period, when Tolomato was a Franciscan mission, and going through its use as a cemetery during the British Period and the Second Spanish Period and then on through Florida's Territorial and early Statehood periods."

Source Link: Website

Interior images:

This first image is the oldest grave sight the Tolomato Cemetery. There lies a young girl named Elizabeth Forrester who most likely died of yellow fever. Although her grave is now restored, shortly after she passed her grave was robbed by soldiers who were looking to make money off the clothing she was buried in.

While the name on this grave was not legible, seems to be separated from the others was most likely made before the 20th century. Although the cause of death is unknown, due to the time period that this cemetery was in use, most likely the person died of illness and was upper class.

Exterior Images:

This first image I decided to include due to the beautiful arched gateway leading to the cemetery. 

This building, although lacking physical remains, lies as tribute to a Father Varela, a man who was known for fighting for Cuban independence. 

In Conversation:

Website

Women's rights activist, Susan B. Anthonys grave is located in Rochester NY. Her grave is a similar age to the ones located in the Tolomato Cemetery. During election season, a plastic cover is placed over her grave, and fellow feminists put their "I Voted" stickers on top, as a symbol of their support. 

Website

Several African American civil war veterans are buried in the Tomato Cemetery. This made me think of of the African American Civil War Memorial, located in Washington DC. The wall consists of over 200,000 names of Black soldiers who belonged in the United States Colored Troops (USCT). 

Literary In Conversation:

Pablo Neruda: One Hundred Love Sonnets: XVII

I love you as the plant that doesn’t bloom but carries   

the light of those flowers, hidden, within itself,   

and thanks to your love the tight aroma that arose   

from the earth lives dimly in my body.

As an honors society, our theme is preservation. Something that not only the Tolomato Cemetery, but also this excerpt written by Pablo Neruda shows. The final line of the poem, "earth lives dimly in my body" is the perfect phrase to use when talking about a cemetery. Although all the people located in the cemetery have passed, their memory carries on.

 Creative Component:

as we walk through the gates I feel a shiver down my spine

although its not a creepy place, these peoples lives are on my mind

how their families must have felt lowering them into the ground

knowing that they will never again make a sound

I can feel the uneven ground below my feet 

as the only noise around us is the cars passing on the street.

Oldest House Museum Complex

Oldest House Museum Complex

February 17th, 2022

The oldest house in the state of Florida is located right here in St. Augustine, and has been occupied in some way, or another since the 1700s. Also located in this historical complex is the first building to be created with the intention to be a museum. The variety of historical buildings come together to showcase the five different eras that St. Augustine has gone through. 

Source link: Website  

Interior Images:

This image, though bare, has a deeper meaning the more you look at it. When the first level of the house was created, there was no money for expensive furniture or wall decorations, the settlers were trying to survive with the bare minimum. Because of this, the walls are dirty, and the only decor is a cross, a symbol for how much religion impacted their day-to-day lives. 

This plan of the Town and Harbour of "St. Augustin" showcases the original plans for the town, including the fort and harbor that still exist today, proving that although much development has taken place here, some things have remained the same in the oldest city. 

Exterior Images:

I chose this image, due to the shadows and light bouncing off the tile walk way, as well as the clouds peaking behind the trees past the gate. 

This next exterior image was chosen due the the beauty of the statue. It stands in a walk way along with other female statues, and separates the different parts of the building. 

In conversation:

Website 

The statues located in the garden of the Oldest House Complex, remind me of this famous statue of Aphrodite, that was discovered by archeologists in 1820. The thing that caught my eye, and made me make the connection was the draping of the cloth, as well as the pulled back hair. 

Website

Although this map was made several hundred years after the maps of St. Augustine, It was the first thing that came to my mind when walking around the museum. A major economic player in Rochester NY during the beginning of the industrial revolution was the Erie Canal, which allowed goods to be transported throughout the northern states. 

Literary In Conversation:

Craig Santos Perez - [Lukao]

"When she came out, she looked supposed. she looked at me and seemed to say " Oh, that's what you look like, Mommy." Craig put her on me, and she was crying, but then she immediately settled down when I held her."

I chose this excerpt because as I was walking through the oldest house, everything was connected to family, and the history that a family builds upon. This is the same in Perez's book, in which 2 stories are told together, the one of his parents and the one of him and his wife. 

                                                                     Creative Component:

 

                                                  (from the perspective of the early settlers)

we came from far

to see a world so bazar 

the air is warm 

and the bugs often swarm 

we are the first to settle in new place

and there is so much that we will face

St Photios Shrine Greek Orthodox National Shrine

St Photios Shrine Greek Orthodox National Shrine

February 10th, 2022

The St Photios Shrine Greek Orthodox National Shrine, is a dedication to the Minorcan Greek people who came to America in 1786. This historical place of worship depicts what life was like for early Greek settlers as well as containing exhibits showing the development of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, and the St. Photios Chapel. The Shrine is also a public place where all may come to honor and remember their own immigrant ancestors, and learn more about what life was like during this time. 

Source link: Website 

Interior Images: 

This picture was taken in the Shrine Chapel, which is filled with Byzantine style frescoes, which are hand painted waiter color paintings. I chose this specific section of the chapel due to the alter. Not only is this alter made of stone, it also is engraved with traditional Greek words of prayer. This photo also shows the 24 carrot gold leaf used on the wall paintings.

This mosaic made with gilded tiles is also on display inside the Chapel. This chair made of stone is also a special part of this sacred place. The seat is made of stone and the cross on the top helps signify that this is a place of worship. 

Exterior Images:

This first image exterior image was taken as a symbol of the combining of American and Greek culture, which is also shown throughout the museum. 

This next image was chosen because it shows the entrance to the court yard, which is an important part of greek architecture. 

In Conversations:

Website

This local church, located in my hometown of Rochester NY reminds me of the Greek Shrine due to its high arches and gold leafing, as well as the images of the disciples hand painted on the walls. These similarities made me choose this image of the place of worship, which is near and deer to many of my friends back home.

 

Website

This image shows greek descendants doing a popular traditional dance called "Sirtaki" also known as the "dance around the world" is a greek tradition in which everyone comes to gather forming a circle, or chain and dances to music or singing. This is another greek tradition that I became accustom to at greek event and parties growing up.

Literary In Conversation:

Ann Browning Masters - "Floridinos, Menorcans, Cattle-Whip Crackers"

"some of our families have been in St. Augustine for over 400 years. some of out families drove over the Bridge of Lions for the first time four minutes ago. Regardless of when we arrived many of us are so captivated with St. Augustine that we never want to leave." 

Although much of the literature that we engaged with this semester was connected to the first settlers of St. Augustine in some way or another, this piece really shows how captivating this ancient city is. for hundreds of years, it has charmed people into staying here, raising children here, and exploring the amazing things the city has to offer. 

 Creative Component:

A Piece of Home

My eyes widen as we walk in through this unknown place

a familiar feeling creates a smile across my face

although its not home, its as if I can almost taste

the baklava and warm hugs that I wish I could chase