Located in the heart of historic St. Augustine, the Lightner Museum offers an immersive experience of art, architecture, history, and design. Founded in 1948 by Chicago publisher, collector, and hobbies advocate Otto C. Lightner, the museum occupies the former Hotel Alcazar, a grand Gilded Age resort hotel commissioned by Standard Oil executive Henry Flagler.
There’s no better time to become a member of the Lightner Museum. 2023 is the 75th anniversary of our founding and the 135th anniversary of our iconic St. Augustine building. As a member, you can take advantage of unique opportunities to engage with the museum during this landmark year.
Here are the top 6 reasons to become a Lightner Museum Member!
1. Visit for FREE (as often as you’d like!)
Looking for something to do on a rainy day? Have visitors in town? Your Lightner Museum Membership gets you unlimited free admission year-round.
2. Choose the right membership level for you
The Lightner offers a range of membership levels to suit your needs. Whether its a solo trip (Individual Membership), a visit with a loved one (Dual Membership), or if you want to bring your whole family (Household Membership), we have a membership level tailored to you.
Supporting Memberships (Sponsor, Patron, Benefactor) provide further opportunities for enhanced Museum patronage and special access.
3. NARM Reciprocal (North American Reciprocal Museum Association)
Lightner Museum Membership grants free access to many museums and cultural institutions throughout North America through NARM.
Our Individual Plus, Dual Plus, Household, Sponsor, Patron, and Benefactor Membership levels are NARM reciprocal. The NARM Association Network boasts over 1000 top-notch institutional members from arts and history museums to botanical gardens, children’s museum, science centers, and more.
Learn more about participating institutions here.
4. Enjoy discounts to museum shopping, dining, and select programs and events
Museum Members receive a 20% discount and Supporting Museum Members receive a 30% discount at the Lightner Museum Store. Our Museum Store is a veritable cabinet of curiosities featuring a carefully curated selection of specialty items inspired by the museum’s collections and iconic building.
Receive a 10% discount at the Cafe Alcazar with your Lightner Museum Membership and dine in one of the most unique restaurants in all of Florida, housed in the former swimming pool of the Hotel Alcazar.
5. Be part of our museum community
The Lightner Museum hosts a range of programs and events with exclusive access for members. By joining the Lightner Museum, you have the opportunity to connect with St. Augustine’s art and cultural community. From exhibition previews, specialty tours, and early admission to special events and programs. As a member you will receive a quarterly members’ e-newsletter sharing exclusive museum content and information.
6. Make a difference
Lightner Museum Membership directly supports our mission to inspire curiosity, excite minds, and enrich lives. Revenue raised through membership contributes to everything we do at the museum, from presenting dynamic exhibitions and engaging programs for kids and adults to the preservation of our historic building and collections.