Discover untold stories of those who lived unseen in the 226-year history of the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, circa 1798 in historic St. Augustine, Florida. Step back in time and hear the voices of both familiar and forgotten characters who shaped the house’s legacy.
I Lived Here, As Well: Coming Home
St. Augustine, FL — “I Lived Here, As Well” is back for its fifth season at the Ximenez-Fatio
House Museum, located on Aviles Street in historic St. Augustine, Florida. Step back in time to a world of untold stories.
Guests will be immersed in the eagerly awaited 5th chapter of I Lived Here, As Well. This time, get ready to witness the unfolding narratives of both familiar and new characters, adding depth and intrigue to our ever-evolving tale.
For those stepping into this enchanting narrative for the first time, brace yourselves to meet a diverse ensemble of characters from various eras, each embodying distinct roles in our house’s storied history.
Over the 226-year history of the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, many have come through our doors. Weary travelers were welcomed through the proper front entrance, guests enjoyed the luxuries of home with a touch of Florida style, and the ill healed amidst warm sunshine and clean sea breezes. However, some passed through our doors unseen — those who may have used the front door but went unnoticed, and others who rarely left or never did.
They lived here as well, but their stories are not as widely known. At the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, we believe the time has come to share their story. I Lived Here, As Well is their story.
The specialty tour is available at 10 a.m. every Friday and Saturday from February 6 through
March 1. Cost is $25 per guest. Reservations can be made online at ximenezfatiohouse.org or
at The Fig Tree Gift Shop on the historic property, 20 Aviles St., in downtown St. Augustine,
Florida.
ABOUT THE MUSEUM
In 1798, the 3-story coquina stone house was built by (Spanish merchant) Don Andres Ximenez for his wife, Juana Pellicer, and their children. Juana’s father, Francisco Pellicer, let the Menorcan exodus for 1777 out of New Smyrna, from their bondage by Dr. Andrew Turnbull. Pellicer brought approximately 600 people to St. Augustine.
The first floor of the house also served as a general store, tavern and billiards hall.
By 1830, Mrs. Margaret Cook purchased the property and converted it into a boarding house. By 1851, Miss Louisa Fatio became the manager of the boarding house, and then the owner by 1855. Her family owned it until 1939, when it was purchased by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America in the State of Florida. Still the owners today, the Dames operate it as a historic house museum.
The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum was awarded a $173,544 Semiquincentennial Grant in 2024 from the Historic Preservation Fund by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. The grant will help preserve the original coquina structure. Ongoing historic preservation projects are happening on the house.
The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum 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. Follow on social media on Facebook, Instagram and
TikTok.
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.
