Government House (St. Augustine)

Government House
Sept - 2024
Location48 King St., St. Augustine, Florida
Coordinates29°53′32″N 81°18′47″W / 29.89222°N 81.31306°W / 29.89222; -81.31306
NRHP reference No.13000812
Added to NRHPJanuary 7, 2014

Government House (Spanish: Casa del gobierno), also known as Governor's House, is located at 48 King Street in St. Augustine, Florida, adjacent to the Plaza de la Constitución. The building, constructed of coquina, served as the governor's official residence from c. 1710 during the First Spanish Period (1565–1763), throughout the British Period (1763–1784), and until 1812 in the Second Spanish Period (1784–1821). Governor Gonzalo Méndez de Canzo was the first governor to build his residence on the  present Government House site in 1598.[1]

A new structure was built on the site in 1706 for use as a residence, office, courthouse, and the social center of the town. The east wing of the present building dates to the original construction between 1706 and 1713. Due to the 1763 Treaty of Paris, Florida passed into British ownership. During the British Period, the house was the official residence of James Grant, the British royal governor of East Florida (1764–1771). Among his guests were American explorer Daniel Boone, who was in East Florida to inquire about land purchases,[2] and Patrick Tonyn, who was appointed as Grant's successor.

At the close of the American Revolution, Florida and St. Augustine were returned to Spain by the 1783 Treaty of Paris. General Nathanael Greene visited Government House in 1784,[3] hosted for an elaborate seven-course meal by Governor Vicente Manuel de Zéspedes. From 1785–87 the governor’s residence again underwent major renovation. The last governor to use the house was Enrique White during the Second Spanish Period; he died in 1811.

By the time Florida was annexed by the United States in 1821, the building was in ruins with only the walls remaining. In 1833–34 Government House was rebuilt with federal funds, following plans drawn up by architect Robert Mills, later famous for designing the Washington Monument.[1] The structure incorporated existing walls and contained 16 rooms, including space for a post office, a courtroom, and other federal functions. During the American Civil War federal troops were headquartered in the building.

In 1873 another major remodeling took place, using plans by architect William M. Kimball. Through the next 60 years the post office and customs house gradually took over more and more of the building as the town grew. In 1937, Government House was once again renovated by Jacksonville architect Mellen Clark Greeley as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. The U.S. Postal Service continued to use the building until 1965, when a new post office building was constructed. Government House was transferred to the State of Florida in February 1966 as a public monument to be administered by the St. Augustine Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission (later renamed the Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board).

The Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board used the 1937 wing of the building for a research library, archaeological and curatorial laboratories, and historical displays until the board became defunct in 1997. Today, the ground floor of the building is open to the public as Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum,[4] managed by UF Historic St. Augustine, Inc. A research library managed by the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida is housed on the second floor.

During their tour of St. Augustine on April 1, 2001, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain made a public appearance on the east balcony of Government House.[5] King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain also visited Government House on September 17, 2015.[6]

Government House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 7, 2014.[7][8]

  1. ^ a b Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board (1971). Guide Book. Division of Cultural Affairs, Department of State, State of Florida. pp. 69–72.
  2. ^ K. Randell Jones, In the Footsteps of Daniel Boone, p. 109
  3. ^ K., Gordon, Elsbeth (2015). Walking St. Augustine : an illustrated guide and pocket history to America's oldest city. Gainesville, Florida. ISBN 9780813060835. OCLC 889164908.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "UF Historic St. Augustine Inc". staugustine.ufl.edu. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  5. ^ Dr., Adams, William R. (2009). St. Augustine and St. Johns County : a historical guide (1st ed.). Sarasota, Fla.: Pineapple Press. ISBN 9781561644322. OCLC 242561717.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Gardner, Sheldon. "A regal history: Royals visit St. Augustine Friday". The St. Augustine Record. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  7. ^ "Asset Detail". npgallery.nps.gov. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  8. ^ "National Register of Historic Places 2014 Weekly Lists" (PDF). www.nps.gov. Retrieved July 31, 2020.