The Lightner Museum features exceptional collections of collections from the 19th century. It also has a variety of independent items that are really incredible. The best part is – there is something for everyone. I personally enjoyed the tobacco exhibit and the Science and Industry room. My wife thought the music boxes were all the rage. It is definitely one of the best museums in northern Florida.
The Lightner gives you a glimpse into what once was. Collections include art, ceramics, glassware/crystal, and a music boxes. The science home is full of a bunch of unrelated objects (some pretty crusty) that are typical of a small town museum. The museum also contains the old steam rooms and Turkish baths that were part of the hotel in the guilted age. Certainly worth visit, but perhaps not for younger children. Finding parking near the museum can be a challenge.
Yesterday,I visited this fine museum a large collection of Otto Lightner's collections of so many different items such as;stained glass creations("Saint Augustine"-Tiffany Studio)(Prima-Unknown Austrian),music boxes(Orchestrion)(Philadelphia Street Piano)from the Gilded Age in Saint Augustine,German Porcelain creations from Meissen,19th Century oil paintings,toys,etcetera.Otto Lightner was a prosperous magazinepublisher..His Decorative Art relected the tastes of the Northeast United States financial elite in the early 20th Century.Personal highlights were;Jules Garnier's oil painting,"Temptation",Paul Trouillebert's oil painting,"Cleopatra and Dying Messenger",Rafaello Romanelli's sculpting of "Cleopatra(Brescia Purple Marble and Travertine,Frederick Hildebrandt's oil painting,"Othello Recounting Adventures to Desdemona and Her Father",Leon Comerre's oil painting,"Maid of Honor",and Andrew Gavell and Associates'Reverse Painting on glass embellished with Mother of Pearl,"Rock Island Railroad".This building,the former Alcazar Hotel is a s[plendid work of architecture.I also appreciated the enthusiasm and helpfulness of its staff.
This is a unique collection in an historic setting. Many true gems and architecturally fascinating rooms. The ballroom is fantastic. The pool - now the home of Cafe Alkcazar (excellent food) - was once the world's largest indoor pool. The entrance hall is amazing.
This Museum is worth the $10.00 entry fee. It has more things than you can see in 1 visit. Amazing Antiques and art a facts. Very friendly staff also.
This other former Flagler hotel, Alcazar, (across from Flagler College) is worth the trip if just to see the architecture and marvel at the spa rooms and size of the swimming pool (now the cafe) that Flagler created for his wealthy guests. Today the building houses several uses, including city hall, but mainly contains the Victoriana collection of Otto Lightner, a wealthy publisher from Chicago. Try to be there for the mechanical music demonstration (player piano, etc.) which is quite fascinating. There are many different elements to the collection from furniture to glass to paintings to such things as a small mummy, stuffed birds and model steam engines. It's a great place if the Victorian period is your cup of tea.
We found a great Groupon deal for the Lightner Musuem. It was very pretty, and I'm glad we went, but it was definitely a one-time only thing. Not worth returning, and I'm glad we only paid $10 for the both of us.
I'm not sure why this isn't rated #1. It is excellent & worth the $10 entrance fee. It was originally built as an elegant hotel in 1888 & later sold to Lightner to house his vast collection of antiques, China, cut crystal, etc. It has a beautiful ballroom & at 11 am & 2 pm they play & discuss 19th century musical instruments. Wow, was this great to hear all those melodies & sounds. There are good descriptions of all the exhibits. It is one of the top sites in St. Augustine & the price is more than fair. They also have a great gift shop with many period items.
I go with my family to all sorts of museums (science, historical, art, etc.). I liked this museum but the main two annoyances we the fact that it had hardly any benches or chairs. I like benches in museums because it allows someone to sit down when their family member wants to go through a room much slower than them. Secondly it seemed like enough of the artifacts had no name or information given to them. It seemed like almost all the furniture on the third level had no identifying information so you had no idea how old it was, who made it, and what room it would have been in. I loved that they had a demonstration of the music instruments in the music room at 10:00 am because I love music no matter what era it's from. The cafe associated with this museum has good food and tasty desserts. I'd go again for lunch. Parking wasn't free and you have to pay by the hour. It can add up. The are only bathrooms in one area and it can get confusing to find them. Always take the elevators to the bathrooms when you're on the first or second floor cause you can't get to them easily from the stairs.
the Lightner Museum does not disappoint. Located in the former Alcazar Hotel in Historic St. Augustine boasts a fine collection automatons, cut glass, porcelain, and fine art. Some of the original features of the grand old hotel are still present: the indoor swimming pool, long since drained, has become a delightful cafe; the marble-lined saunas and solariums are reminiscent of days long ago when the movers and shakers of the 19th and early 20th centuries stayed at the posh hotel! The cost of admission is well worth it if you love history!