Visit one of St. Augustine, Florida’s original coquina homes and learn about Death in the 19th Century
St. Augustine, FL — Visit a real haunted house in St. Augustine, Florida, located on America’s oldest street — Aviles Street (formerly called Hospital Street), which is shown on maps since the late 1580s. There have been at least 13 confirmed deaths in the Ximenez-Fatio House, built in 1798 by Andres Ximenez, a merchant from Spain who came to create a life in St. Augustine. He built the home for his wife and five children. They all lived upstairs and the first floor served as a general store and billiards hall. His wife, Juana, died on September 6, 1802 at age 26. She was followed in death by her son, Francison, after four, and daughter Antonia, age 13 months. Her husband, Andres, died in 1806 at age 56.
After that time, the historic house served as a boarding house throughout the 1800s, and records provide information about guests who arrived to stay in Florida for their health issues, yet never returned home alive.
By 1840, travelers started arriving in St. Augustine. Without crossing the Atlantic, Americans could enjoy the pleasures of a semi-tropical climate and, in St. Augustine, get the feel of an old Spanish town. Not all tourists visited for pleasure. During this era, pulmonary diseases were widespread throughout the nation. With little knowledge on how to treat their patients, doctors encouraged invalids to spend the winter in warmer climates. Thus, invalids began to fill boarding houses and hotels.
Learn more at ximenezfatiohouse.org
Mortality & Mourning — Death in the 19th Century
Sept. 29-Oct. 28: Mortality & Mourning – Death in the 19th Century tours will be held at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday from September 29 through October 28 at the circa 1798 Ximenez-Fatio House Museum. Immerse yourself in history as you wander through the rooms of our 225+ year-old historic home, each corner illuminated by the gentle flicker of candlelight. Delve deep into the eerie history of Old St. Augustine, where forgotten cultural practices come to life, and spine-chilling stories await your discovery. This is a family-friendly nighttime activity for anyone looking to get into the Halloween spirit! See ticket links below.
6:30 Performance: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mortality-and-mourning-a-century-of-death-630pm-tickets-688135801707?aff=oddtdtcreator
7:30 Performance: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mortality-and-mourning-a-century-of-death-730pm-tickets-696041999357?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
UPCOMING EVENTS
Trick-or-Treat and Harvest Festival at the Ximenez-Fatio House
Join us on October 28 from 1-4 p.m. for our 4th annual Trick-or-Treat and Harvest Fest at the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum! This must-attend community event features an afternoon of safe trick-or-treating fun, tours of our 225-year-old museum, contests, games, and fun for children of all ages. Costumes are not required but are heavily encouraged. All proceeds raised will go towards the preservation of our 2nd Spanish Period Coquina Museum.
Paranormal Investigations by The Odd Macabre
October 13: Overnight Investigation
Investigate the circa 1798 Ximenez-Fatio House Museum in historic St Augustine. Join The Odd Macabre as they step back in time to search for the spirits that remain at the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, located at 20 Aviles Street, in historic St. Augustine, Florida. Constructed in 1798 and situated on the oldest street in the continental U.S., Aviles Street. This exceptional property has been the site of numerous archaeological findings, centuries of history, and quite its fair share of death. RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-among-ghosts-paranormal-investigation-tickets-622571346657
Nights of Lights Arts Exhibition at Ximenez-Fatio House Museum
November 18, 2023 through January 6, 2024
Tours Monday-Saturday from 10 AM-5 PM
Tickets: $15 for Adults; $12 for Seniors, Military, and Teachers; $8 for children 17 and younger.
View artwork by area artists who have decorated 14 fireplace walls at the circa 1798 Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, 20 Aviles Street, historic St. Augustine, Florida. This art exhibition is held during the Nights of Lights holiday season.
“This effort has been inspired by the beautiful Christmas Extravaganza at Stetson Mansion in Deland, Florida and supported by its designer, J. T. Thompson. We do not believe this has ever been done in St. Augustine, and it provides a unique opportunity to celebrate our partner relationship with the St. Augustine Art Association, which had its beginnings at the Ximenez Fatio House in 1924,” explained Payson Tilden, Executive Director at the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum.
