The circa 1798 Ximenez-Fatio House Museum celebrates America250 with events all year, including a Declaration of Independence reading
St. Augustine, FL — The circa 1798 Ximenez-Fatio House Museum on Aviles Street in St. Augustine, Florida announces America250 events throughout 2026 and staff changes.
On July 8, the museum will partner with the St. Augustine chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the Sons of the American Revolution and the Colonial Dames of America for a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. This nationwide commemoration marks the anniversary of the document’s first public reading in 1776. In St. Augustine, Florida, that reading happened on July 8, 1776. A town crier will announce the reading in the Plaza de la Constitucion at 5 p.m., and attendees will walk down Aviles Street to the Ximenez-Fatio for the opening ceremonies and reading.
STAFF UPDATES
After four incredible years leading the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, Payson Tilden has retired as Museum Director at the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum. During her time in the role, the museum grew and flourished thanks to new programs, important grants, and her steady support of both staff and mission. Payson brought creativity, openness to new ideas, and a leadership style rooted in grace, compassion, and dedication.
A longtime and much-loved presence in the St. Augustine and Jacksonville communities, Payson has spent decades dedicated to historic preservation and education, including more than forty years as a Colonial Dame of America (NSCDA-FL), the organization that owns and operates the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum.
“She will be deeply missed in the day-to-day life of the museum,” said Julia Brennan, newly named co-manager of the museum. “We’re glad she plans to stay connected as an occasional volunteer, so we’ll still get to see her around.”
The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum is also excited to share that Emily Ward and Julia Brennan have stepped into the roles of Museum Co-Managers. Both have been important members of the team for many years and bring a strong mix of experience, energy, and deep knowledge of the museum into their new roles.
Emily Ward
Emily Ward serves as Co-Manager for Programs and Collections. She joined the museum in January 2021 after moving to St. Augustine in 2018 to attend Flagler College, and study Public History. Emily has been closely involved with tours, programming, and the archives, and is passionate about making history engaging and accessible. In her new role, she’s focused on growing the museum’s audience by caring for the collection and using it to develop engaging public programs.
Julia Brennan serves as Co-Manager for Communications and Marketing. She has been with the museum since March 2020 and moved to St. Augustine in 2013 to study Media Studies after growing up in New Jersey. Julia leads the museum’s digital and marketing efforts, working to expand its online presence, attract visitors, and promote exhibitions and events. She’s passionate about strengthening the museum as both a community hub and a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike.
Julia Brennan
The museum was recently honored with an Americana Corner Preserving America Grant, which is supporting the conservation of eight rare, hand-woven indigo bed coverlets in the collection of the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum.
The museum will be announcing another grant award soon, helping to continue its historic preservation of the 1798 coquina house, along with artifacts from the homesite in its collection.
America250 Events
- July 3: Summer Night Market in the courtyard from 5-9 p.m. with local artisans, coinciding with First Friday Art Walk
- July 4: $2.50 tour admission with sponsorship donation to the museum
- July 8: Declaration of Independence reading with the starting in the Plaza de la Constitucion at 5 p.m., then a patriotic walk down Aviles Street to the house museum courtyard
- Sept. 4: First Friday Artisan Market from 5-9 p.m.
- Sept. 5: Aviles Street Festival from 4-9 p.m. celebrating St. Augustine’s 461st anniversary and Spanish Heritage Month
- Sept. 19: St. Augustine Book Festival with Florida authors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Oct. 2-31: Mortality & Mourning – Women in Black candlelight tours
- Oct. 17: Overnight Paranormal Experience
- Oct. 24: Trick or Treat and Harvest Festival
- Nov. 21-Jan. 18: Art & History – Family Traditions. Local artists decorate 14 fireplace mantels throughout the historic house during Nights of Lights.
ABOUT THE XIMENEZ-FATIO HOUSE
The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, circa 1798, is an original coquina structure in historic St. Augustine, Florida. Self-guided audio tours and guided tours are available Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last tour leaves at 3:45 p.m.). The Fig Tree Gift Shop features a variety of items, including museum merchandise, fig jam from our historic fig tree on the property, books by local and Florida authors, and a variety of souvenirs that make great gifts. Learn more at ximenezfatiohouse.org
Ximenez-Fatio House Museum events are sponsored in part by the St. Johns Cultural Council and the St. Johns County Tourism Development Council.
The Ximenez-Fatio House is located at 20 Aviles Street in historic St. Augustine, Florida. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and a Florida Heritage Landmark. The historic property was purchased in 1939 by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Florida. Visit ximenezfatiohouse.org for more details.
