Images in Governor’s House Library’s collection reveal the faces of those responsible for the excavations and reconstruction of colonial St. Augustine between the 1960s and 1980s – many of which were Black men. The Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board hired general laborers to systematically recover foundations and source building materials – enabling the restoration and reconstruction of houses, shops, and outbuildings. While the physical record of their craftsmanship, labor, and expertise remains visible in our streets today, their stories and names are more elusive. In honor of their work, we will be sharing photographs found in our collection. If you have any information related to the people featured here, please leave a comment bellow or send us a message.
Arrivas House
1961-1962 | 46 St. George Street
IMAGES IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
- South Elevation of Arrivas House During Restoration, Looking Northeast, 1961. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00499/00023.
- Southwest Corner of Arrivas House Lot with St. Augustine Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission Offices in Back Garage Area, Facing West, 1961. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00499/00056.
- Laying Sod in the Southwest Corner of the Arrivas House Lot,, Looking South, 1962. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00499/00063.
- Laying Sod in the West Patio Area of Arrivas House Seen from the Balcony, Looking South, 1962. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00499/00066.
Gallegos House
1962-1963 | 21 St. George Street
IMAGES IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
- Pouring Tabby Into Wood Forms to Build the Walls of the Gallegos House Looking Northeast, 1962. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00412/00003.
- Tamping the Tabby Walls in Wooden Forms During Construction of the Gallegos House. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00493/00004.
- Photographs of Gallegos House Construction. ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00090505/00009.
Oliveros House
1964-1965 | 59 St. George Street
IMAGES IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
- [construction of Oliveros House from St. George Street, Looking Southeast]. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00019/00015.
Florencia House
1965 | 33 St. George Street
IMAGES IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
- [demolition of the Smith House]. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH90005/00005.
- [demolition of the Smith House]. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH90005/00006.
- Florencia House Foundations. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH90024/00002.
- Florencia House Foundations. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH90024/00003.
De Hita House
1965 | 37 St. George Street
IMAGES IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
- [de Hita House, Construction Detail, 1965]. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00015/00012.
- [de Hita House, Construction Detail, 1965]. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00015/00014.
- [de Hita House, Construction Detail, 1965]. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00015/00015.
- [de Hita House, Construction Detail, 1965]. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00015/00010.
Sims House
1966 | 12 Charlotte Street
IMAGES IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
- Sims House from the Corner of Charlotte Street and Cuna Street, Looking Northwest, 1966. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00130/00005.
Ortega House
1967-1968 | 70 St. George Street
IMAGES IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
- Archaeological Excavation of a Well at Rogers Edmunds Property, 1967. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00506/00010.
- Wet Screening Artifacts During Archaeological Excavations at the Rogers Edmunds Property, 1967. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00506/00012.
- [ortega House Photographs].ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00094788/00003.
Benet Store
1967 | 62 St. George Street
IMAGES IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
- Demolition of the Bitto Building from the Corner of St. George Street and Cuna Street, Looking Southwest, 1967. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00109/00029.
- Exposing the Original Foundations of the Benet Store, from the Intersection of St. George Street and Cuna Street, Looking South. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00505/00005.
- [photographs of 72a – Benet Store]. ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00094789/00001.
- Logging Raw Material for Outbuilding Behind the Benet Store, 1967. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00109/00047.
Watson House
1968 | 206 Charlotte Street
IMAGES IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
- [construction of Watson House from Charlotte Street, Looking Northwest]. ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH90029/00005.
Governor’s House
1968 | 48 King Street
IMAGES IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
- Government House – Gutting East Wing. ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00007558/00001.
This Black History Month explore our archives further along with other local institutions through Resilience: Black Heritage In St. Augustine at blackheritagestaugustine.omeka.net.
Governor's House Library 