The circa 1750 Peña-Peck House Museum and Gift Shop in St. Augustine is the location of multiple events in May during Historic Preservation Month. The Woman’s Exchange of St. Augustine runs the historic house in partnership with the City of St. Augustine. The stunning historic venue serves as a house museum, artisan gift shop, event space and historic garden.
The Woman’s Exchange of St. Augustine is an all-volunteer organization that has been in existence for 130-plus years in the Nation’s Oldest City. All funds from events and tours help the organization maintain the original coquina structure, support 55-plus area artisans, and go toward college scholarships for women over age 30 in the St. Augustine community.
The historic house is one of 35 remaining First Spanish Period (1565-1763) buildings in St. Augustine. The first story was built circa 1750 by order of King Ferdinand VI for the Spanish Royal Treasurer, Juan Estevan de Peña. Nestled on the corner of St. George and Treasury streets, the house remains much as it was in 1931 by ancestors of Dr. Peck, who purchased the home in 1837 and built the second story to accommodate his family.
The Peña-Peck House Museum and Gift Shop is located at 143 St. George St. in St. Augustine.
House Museum Tours by donation are available Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 4:30 p.m., with the last tour beginning at 3:45 p.m.
The Artisan Gift Shop is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 4:30 p.m.
Learn more at penapeckhouse.com.
MAY EVENTS
ST. AUGUSTINE HISTORY FESTIVAL (free events)
“Through the Eyes of Constance Fenimore Woolson” with Mattie Raiford Harms — 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, May 8. Through the lens of literary journalism, discover Woolson’s unique perspective on the city’s past — rich with history, character and Southern elegance.
“Whatever A Woman is Capable of Doing: The Extraordinary History of the Sisters of St. Joseph in St. Augustine” with Sister Suzan Foster — 2-3 p.m. Thursday, May 8. The story begins in 1866 when eight Sisters of St. Joseph, all in their 20s, leave LePul, France, for St. Augustine with the mission of educating recently freed slaves.
Sister Suzan is a St. Augustine native and is currently serving as an instructor at the St. Joseph Neighborhood Center, located in Lincolnville. She is a graduate of the University of Florida and has a master of religious education from St. Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana. Over the course of her career she has been an assistant principal and teacher at Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, as well as a teacher and administrator at St. Joseph Academy in St. Augustine.
JAZZ BRUNCH
A Jazz Brunch will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, in the gardens under the tent, catered by The Spot, a well-known St. Augustine breakfast eatery.
Enjoy an early afternoon of great jazz music and amazing brunch — a delightful and relaxing way to spend a Sunday. The Joshua Bowlus Quartet from Jacksonville will provide live jazz music.
Tickets: eventbrite.com/e/jazz-brunch-in-the-garden-tickets-1325303531539
Proceeds will go to college scholarships for women age 30-plus in the St. Augustine community.
The gift shop will be open during the event, supporting area and regional artisans.
ARTISAN MARKET
The Artisan Market in the Garden will take place noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 25, with The Jody Harmon Jazz Quartet providing music and 12 artisans featured in the historic garden.
Artisans:
