Located at the heart of downtown St. Augustine, Florida, the Lightner Museum is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization registered in the State of Florida. Founded in
1948 by Chicago publisher, collector, and professional hobbyist Otto C. Lightner, the museum offers visitors an immersive experience of art, architecture, history, and design.

The museum is housed in the former Hotel Alcazar, a grand Gilded Age resort hotel commissioned by Standard Oil executive Henry Flagler. Built in 1888, this
magnificent Spanish Renaissance Revival structure was designed by the renowned Beaux-Arts architectural firm Carrère and Hastings.

At the core of the museum are its diverse and captivating collections. Otto Lightner, a leading figure in the early 20th-century American hobbyist movement, created the museum to share his extensive and eclectic collection with the public. From ornate Gilded Age furniture and American Brilliant Era cut glass to vintage typewriters and whimsical curiosities, the Lightner Museum’s holdings reflect a wide range of interests and eras. These permanent collections are complemented by rotating and traveling exhibitions that further the museum’s mission of education, inspiration, and discovery.

Steeped in history, the Lightner Museum is more than a tribute to the past. Just as Otto Lightner once connected with people across America who found enrichment in hobbies and collecting, the museum continues to inspire contemporary audiences through its exhibitions, events, and educational programs.