Courtyard of the Alcazar,  Felix de Crano,
watercolor, St. Augustine, Florida, 1903

Chicago publisher, Otto C. Lightner, purchased the building to house his extensive collection of Victoriana in 1946 and opened the museum two years later.
He gave the museum to the city of St. Augustine. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The ballroom, recently restored to its
original splendor. (two views)

Enjoy wandering through the museum's setting — the former Hotel Alcazar, built in 1887 in the Spanish Renaissance style. Railroad magnate Henry M. Flagler commissioned architects Carrere and Hastings to design the Alcazar and the Ponce de Leon Hotel (across the street). The two young architects later designed the New York Public Library and the U.S. Senate office building. After years of accommodating vacationing wealthy patrons, the elegant resort hotel closed.

Interior of museum, formerly the hotel
health facilities

Vintage photos from the heyday of the health spa at the Hotel Alcazar. Click on each photo for a larger view.