The City of St. Augustine offers a Window Workshop at the Historic Water Works Building (a.k.a. The Waterworks) in participation with the 4th Annual St. Augustine History Festival
On Saturday, May 10, from 9:00am to 1:30pm, the City of St. Augustine’s Historic Preservation Division will participate in the St. Augustine History Festival by offering an interactive window workshop at The Waterworks Building, located at 184 San Marco Avenue. Julie Courtney, the City’s Historic Preservation Officer, will facilitate the workshop, offering welcome remarks and assisting throughout the program.
Historic Preservation Advisors for Austin Historical will lead the presentation and workshop. Doug Romaine will present in the main room of The Waterworks, with Nate Cross doing a live demonstration of restoration techniques. Next, a limited number of participants can learn hands-on skills with wood window sashes. The presentation and hands-on workshop are an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of historic windows by preservation experts, including the benefits of historic windows, return on investment with replacement windows, energy efficiency facts and options, maintenance and restoration techniques, how to be hurricane ready with historic windows, and will include time to ask questions.
The presentation on historic window restoration will begin at 9:00 am, with an ongoing live demonstration showing key steps to the process. There is ample space for guests, but reservations are preferred to guarantee a spot. Reserve your spot for the presentation and live demonstration online here.
Then, at approximately 10:15am and continuing until 1:30pm, 15 participants will practice hands-on skills with wood window sashes, focusing on glazing. Reservations are required for the hands-on component, but guests attending the presentation and live demonstration are encouraged to stay to observe and learn more about how this crucial part of window restoration is done. Reserve your spot for the hands-on component online here.
The hands-on glazing learning is planned to be outdoors, weather permitting; however, it will remain indoors if weather does not allow. Guests participating in the hands-on portion of the program should dress accordingly and anticipate the possibility of getting slightly dirty.
This event is free and open to the public. While reservations are not required to attend the indoor presentation, a reservation is preferred and can be made online here. Those interested in the outdoor, hands-on window workshop are required to reserve a spot, as space is limited for this portion. Reservations can be made online here.
Workshop Presenters
Doug Romaine, Historic Preservation Advisor
A lifetime of serving people in nonprofits has equipped Doug with exceptional customer care. Growing up in a historic home led Doug to Austin Historical. Doug’s training as a craftsman and his expertise as a Historic Preservation Advisor will guide you calmly through the process until you arrive at the destination of wonderfully restored windows. Doug has traveled throughout the state of Florida and beyond to offer expertise and care for historic restoration.
Nate Cross, Historic Preservation Advisor
Growing up working on custom homes with his father in Jacksonville laid the foundation for Nate’s passion for craftsmanship. After gaining product knowledge while selling paint at Sherwin-Williams, followed by hands-on experience with a local painting contractor, he launched his own successful painting and handyman business. That path led him to Austin Historical, where he honed his skills as a fine finisher and craftsman on historic windows and doors. Now, as a Historic Preservation Advisor at Austin Historical, he brings practical knowledge, care, and clarity to every restoration project he supports.
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 7 – 11, 2025, 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.
For a complete schedule and more information about the St. Augustine History Festival, visit www.staugustinehistoryfestival.com. For more information about the workshop and open house, visit www.CityStAug.com/PreservationResources.
Questions about the workshop may be directed to the City of St. Augustine Historic Preservation Division by emailing [email protected] or contact Julie Courtney, City of St. Augustine Historic Preservation Officer, at 904.209.4283.
For media inquiries, contact Melissa Wissel, Communications Director, at 904.293.3307 or via email at [email protected].