The Woman’s Exchange/Pena-Peck House never fails to provide to provide multiple talks of excellent quality during the St. Augustine History Festival. For a full description of this Special Event, continue scrolling after viewing the fun photos. Stay tuned for what 2026 will bring!

“Through the Eyes of Constance Fenimore Woolson”: The Peña-Peck House Garden, circa 1874

Date: May 8 (2025)

Time: 11:00am ~12:00pm

Place: 143 St. George Street 

Step into 19th-century St. Augustine with Mattie Raiford Harms as she explores the life and work of Constance Fenimore Woolson. Through the lens of literary journalism, discover Woolson’s  unique perspective on the City’s past—rich with history, character, and Southern elegance.  Enjoy an engaging morning in the heart of historic St. Augustine, sponsored by the Woman’s Exchange, custodians of the Historic Pena-Peck House Museum and Gift Shop. 

“Whatever A Woman is Capable of Doing: The Extraordinary History of the

Sisters of St. Joseph in St. Augustine“

Speaker: Sister Suzan Foster

Place: Peña-Peck House Gardens

Time: 2:00-3:00p.m.

Date: Thursday, May 8

The story begins in 1866 when 8 Sisters of St.Joseph, all in their twenties,  leave LePuy, France for St. Augustine, Florida 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.