The first prisoners of war during the American Revolution were captured in Virginia and sent directly to St. Augustine. Why?

We know of the 3 signers of the Declaration of Independence who were incarcerated here, but what of the other 2,000 soldiers and sailors who sat out the war, either imprisoned or on parole.

Come hear Dr. Roger Smith discuss this little-understood topic of Americans held prisoner in British St. Augustine from 1775-1781.

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St. Augustine History Festival

The St. Augustine History Festival was created and conceived by UFHSA (University of Florida Historic St. Augustine, Inc.) for the purpose of generating excitement about the history of America’s oldest city. From May 6 – 10, 2026, the festival will showcase every era of St. Augustine’s long and storied past at over 30 Special Events and Historic Venues.

Historic Waterworks Building

The building was completed in 1898 as the first St. Augustine Waterworks Pumping Station and a rare example of a brick masonry structure in St. Augustine. Following its decommissioning in 1927, the building was adapted to a community center, which served the St. Augustine Art Association, the Little Theatre, and Camp Fire Girls from 1928 until 1964. From 1964 until 2005, the building housed the St. Augustine Garden Club. In 2013, the building was designated as a Local Historical Landmark, and in 2014, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Beginning in 2015, preservation efforts by the City removed non-historic additions and alterations, and resulted in the restoration of original finishes and features. Grant funds from the Florida Division of Historical Resources contributed to the effort, along with countless hours of dedicated work by architects, construction crews, craftspeople, and City staff, and the building was reopened. In 2022, the St. Johns Cultural Council signed a lease to become the new tenants and breathe fresh life and activity into the building that they market as The Waterworks.