Historic homes of St. Augustine

There were 1600 people registered for the tour of the historic homes. We arrived early and were on the first trolley. There was virtually no line to enter the first of the historic houses built between the mid 1700s and the early 1800s. All have been extensively renovated and extensively redecorated.
Most of of the homes had large balconies facing into the St. Augustine harbour.
The harbour view from one of the balconies.
This "guest house" is used to accommodate guests of the owners of the waterfront house behind it. It was newly restored in 2006. 
Basically the "guest house" was taken down to the frame and rebuilt. A picture of the reconstruction is on the side of the house.

This is the jacuzzi for the guests to use.
Some owners have spared no expense in decorating their houses. Here is a Chagall mask from the production of the "Firebird" ballet.
On the other hand, this owner purchased the oak table from an artist at a garage sale for $25. Then, in a gallery, she found the picture painted by the artist that featured the oak table for considerably more than $25.
Originally, water was collected by catching rain from the roofs and storing it in cisterns (above ground due to the low elevation of the land).
Paul with the Darnells waiting to enter one of the historic homes.
Paul and Sandra at the garden entranceway to the last (8th) historic home.

Comments

Margot said…
You're really getting a tour of the stately South this year!
December 9, 2010 at 2:51 p.m.
Hervé and Bryn said…
Funny how we have been to Florida so many times but never visited any of these places.
December 10, 2010 at 3:26 a.m.
William said…
Actually the entire family has been to St. Augustine with us and walked through the historic town (and its 16th century Spanish fort) - although we didn't get inside any houses. I think your reaction was "boring"!

Do you remember stopping at Marineland just outside St. Augustine to watch the man wrestle the alligator? Same trip - but not so boring.
December 10, 2010 at 9:14 a.m.
Hervé and Bryn said…
The alligator wresting rings a bell. Probably if we took our kids they would say boring too. Marineland would also be their highlight. So, maybe it will just be Marineland for us ;-)
December 11, 2010 at 8:28 a.m.
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