The Lightner Museum shines as a beacon of history and elegance nestled in the heart of St. Augustine, Florida. Built in 1888, the museum stands as a testament to the Gilded Age, a period when refinement and sophistication were paramount. For lovers of art, enthusiasts of history, and seekers of cultural refinement, the Lightner Museum offers an unrivaled experience for weddings and events.
Keep scrolling to travel through time and learn more about the venue’s unique history, first as a grand hotel and later as a museum of antiquities.
Our story begins in 1887, when oil baron and railroad tycoon Henry Flagler commissioned the Alcazar, a grand Gilded Age resort hotel, to appeal to wealthy tourists traveling south for the winter on his railroad. This was the second hotel built by Flagler as a part of his dream to turn St. Augustine into a southern Riviera. He also built the Ponce de Leon Hotel, which now houses Flagler College.
Our story begins in 1887, when oil baron and railroad tycoon Henry Flagler commissioned the Alcazar, a grand Gilded Age resort hotel, to appeal to wealthy tourists traveling south for the winter on his railroad. This was the second hotel built by Flagler as a part of his dream to turn St. Augustine into a southern Riviera. He also built the Ponce de Leon Hotel, which now houses Flagler College.
The Alcazar opened to great acclaim on January 10, 1888. It included three distinct sections: the hotel, the baths, and the casino. The hotel at the front of the complex framed a lushly landscaped courtyard lined with shops. The baths in the central section of the building included Turkish (dry heat) and Russian (steam) baths, a cold plunge pool, massage rooms, and a gymnasium. The rear of the complex held the grand casino–a four-story structure housing the world’s largest public indoor swimming pool, an archery range, a bowling alley, and, on its third floor, a stately ballroom. The Alcazar’s recreational facilities extended beyond the building, with tennis courts and a croquet lawn to the south.
The Alcazar opened to great acclaim on January 10, 1888. It included three distinct sections: the hotel, the baths, and the casino. The hotel at the front of the complex framed a lushly landscaped courtyard lined with shops. The baths in the central section of the building included Turkish (dry heat) and Russian (steam) baths, a cold plunge pool, massage rooms, and a gymnasium. The rear of the complex held the grand casino–a four-story structure housing the world’s largest public indoor swimming pool, an archery range, a bowling alley, and, on its third floor, a stately ballroom. The Alcazar’s recreational facilities extended beyond the building, with tennis courts and a croquet lawn to the south.
At the height of its popularity during the 1890s, thousands of guests passed through the doors of the Alcazar Hotel. Each winter season the hotel was alive with grand parties, charity balls, and local celebrations.
At the height of its popularity during the 1890s, thousands of guests passed through the doors of the Alcazar Hotel. Each winter season the hotel was alive with grand parties, charity balls, and local celebrations.
As the 20th century wore on, changing tastes and increased options for vacationing meant that Flagler’s St. Augustine hotels witnessed an ongoing decline in visitation. The Casino pool, which was normally for guests and those able to pay to swim, became a sports arena in mid-February of 1925, and even hosted Olympic swimming tryouts. Following the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the ensuing Depression, the Alcazar closed its doors in 1931.
As the 20th century wore on, changing tastes and increased options for vacationing meant that Flagler’s St. Augustine hotels witnessed an ongoing decline in visitation. The Casino pool, which was normally for guests and those able to pay to swim, became a sports arena in mid-February of 1925, and even hosted Olympic swimming tryouts. Following the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the ensuing Depression, the Alcazar closed its doors in 1931.
The building sat vacant for over 15 years and fell into a state of disrepair. In 1947, Otto Lightner, a Chicago publisher and visionary collector with an eye for the extraordinary, purchased the building for just $150,000 and embarked on a transformational journey. Through a meticulous curation of artistry and artifacts, he converted the hotel into a museum of hobbies that spans eras and includes an eclectic collection.
The building sat vacant for over 15 years and fell into a state of disrepair. In 1947, Otto Lightner, a Chicago publisher and visionary collector with an eye for the extraordinary, purchased the building for just $150,000 and embarked on a transformational journey. Through a meticulous curation of artistry and artifacts, he converted the hotel into a museum of hobbies that spans eras and includes an eclectic collection.
The Lightner Museum of Hobbies opened to the public in January 1948. A substantial portion of the collection consisted of art and objects purchased from many of Chicago’s grandest Gilded Age mansions during the Great Depression. Lightner acquired artwork and objects, light fixtures, stained glass, and architectural fragments from estate sales prior to demolition. Unfortunately, Otto Lightner succumbed to cancer on June 9, 1950, soon after opening the museum and turning it over to the city of St. Augustine.
The Lightner Museum of Hobbies opened to the public in January 1948. A substantial portion of the collection consisted of art and objects purchased from many of Chicago’s grandest Gilded Age mansions during the Great Depression. Lightner acquired artwork and objects, light fixtures, stained glass, and architectural fragments from estate sales prior to demolition. Unfortunately, Otto Lightner succumbed to cancer on June 9, 1950, soon after opening the museum and turning it over to the city of St. Augustine.
Over the years, new exhibits and artifacts have been added to Lightner’s original collection. The museum has been referred to as “Florida’s Smithsonian,” exhibiting many facets of life in early America. Visitors can view Native American artifacts, exquisite shells and geological specimens from around the world, porcelain produced at Sèvres, Victorian mechanical musical instruments, a shrunken head, an Egyptian mummy, Winston Churchill’s lion, stained glass pieces by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and sophisticated examples of Victorian blown glass. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 in recognition of its incredible architecture, history, and design.
Over the years, new exhibits and artifacts have been added to Lightner’s original collection. The museum has been referred to as “Florida’s Smithsonian,” exhibiting many facets of life in early America. Visitors can view Native American artifacts, exquisite shells and geological specimens from around the world, porcelain produced at Sèvres, Victorian mechanical musical instruments, a shrunken head, an Egyptian mummy, Winston Churchill’s lion, stained glass pieces by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and sophisticated examples of Victorian blown glass. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 in recognition of its incredible architecture, history, and design.
The Lightner Museum has a long history of hosting grand celebrations in St. Augustine. In 2016, the museum partnered with The Treasury Venue Collection to offer weddings and events within the Lightner Museum. The Treasury Venue Collection’s reputation for incredible service—starting at another historic St. Augustine venue, The Treasury on the Plaza—made it the ideal partner for private events at the Lightner Museum.
The Lightner Museum has a long history of hosting grand celebrations in St. Augustine. In 2016, the museum partnered with The Treasury Venue Collection to offer weddings and events within the Lightner Museum. The Treasury Venue Collection’s reputation for incredible service—starting at another historic St. Augustine venue, The Treasury on the Plaza—made it the ideal partner for private events at the Lightner Museum.
Today, as the Lightner Museum, the former Alcazar Hotel is a popular destination for travelers to St. Augustine, welcoming visitors every day from all over the world. The museum recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, a remarkable testament to Henry Flagler’s powerful vision to shape the future of Florida at the dawn of the 20th century.
Today, as the Lightner Museum, the former Alcazar Hotel is a popular destination for travelers to St. Augustine, welcoming visitors every day from all over the world. The museum recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, a remarkable testament to Henry Flagler’s powerful vision to shape the future of Florida at the dawn of the 20th century.
Lightner Museum Weddings & Events offers complimentary history cards for your special day. Share these with your guests by placing cards on ceremony chairs or reception tables.
You can print the history cards out on your own, or reach out to the team and we can help make sure they are available for your wedding.
Lightner History Card PDFHost your wedding at one of the most unique, historic, and beautiful venues in the state of Florida! Our team would love to hear your vision for bringing your wedding to life at the Lightner Museum.
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At The Treasury Venue Collection, hospitality and service are at the heart of everything we do. With our combined talents and expertise, our team is committed to seamlessly orchestrating your day from start to finish. Learn more about the team behind weddings and events at the Lightner Museum.
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The Lightner Museum offers two distinct wedding packages, so you can create a celebration as unique as your love story. Learn more about our Custom and Intimate Wedding Packages.
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