UF celebrates opening of new St. Augustine exhibit with VIP event

October 16, 2013

WHAT: An invitation-only celebration of the grand opening of the “First Colony: Our Spanish Origins” exhibit and the completed renovation of the Government House. Media are invited.

WHEN: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 17. Self-guided tours of the exhibit will take place at 7:25 p.m.

WHERE: Government House museum, 48 King St., St. Augustine.                  

WHO:  Guest speakers include University of Florida President Bernie Machen, St.  Augustine Mayor Joe Boles, state Sen. John Thrasher, state Rep. Ronald “Doc” Renuart and Florida Museum of Natural History Director Doug Jones. Allen Lastinger, chairman of the board of directors for UF Historic St. Augustine, is master of ceremonies for the presentation portion of the event. Elected officials and supporters of the University of Florida Historic St. Augustine programs will attend.

BACKGROUND: The Florida Museum of Natural History’s new “First Colony: Our Spanish Origins” exhibit opens to the public on Friday in the newly renovated Government House museum. The bilingual exhibit explores the daily lives of Spanish settlers who founded the nation’s first permanent European colony in 1565.  St. Augustine will host the exhibit through 2015. The museum plans to display the exhibit in Gainesville during 2016 before it begins a nationwide tour. Admission is $7.99 for adults, $5.99 for children 5-12 and free for ages 4 and under. For more information, visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu/firstcolony/.

MEDIA CONTACT: Linda Dixon, 352-273-4010, ldixon@ufl.edu