First Congregation Sons of Israel

First Congregation Sons of Israel

161 Cordova St, St. Augustine, FL 32084

April 7, 2022

The First Congregation Sons of Israel is the first-ever oldest Synagogue built in St. Augustine. Built by the congregation in 1923. The Synagogue has a welcoming and friendly nature and aims to enhance Jewish spirituality in families. They embrace diversity and hold services on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings, as well as hosting Jewish holidays like Passover.

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Artifact: 

These beautiful glass-stained windows were obtained in the year 1958, and installed by Rabbi Jacobs and Mrs. Dora Tarlinsky's three daughters. The windows sustained damage during Hurricane Matthew which stained and leaded the glass windows. But, by 2012 the windows were restored by Ken Hardeman, the great-grandson of the original artist.

Artifact:

Attached to the ceiling of the Synagogue is the star of David. During Hurricane Matthew when the synagogue was damaged the roof ceiling fell. Flagler students helped craft, paint, and attach the Star of David to the ceiling. The star represents both Israel and faith. 

Image in Conversation:

Western Wall

Jerusalem

The Western Wall located in the Old City of Jerusalem is a place of prayer sacred to Jewish people. Every year thousands of people visit to recite prayers that are either spoken or placed inside the walls. It is the holiest site in Judaism.

Image in Conversation:

Temple Mount

Jerusalem

Temple Mount, located in Jerusalem, is one of the holiest sites in Judaism. It is said to be the place where Abraham took his son, Isaac, to prove his devotion to God. It is due to the religious importance of the mountain Temple Mount is found, that it became holy. It is important in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. 

Literature Passage:

Parable of the Sower

Octavia Butler

Embrace diversity.

Unite-

Or be divided

I chose this excerpt from Parable of the Sower because of the idea of uniting. The First Congregation Sons of Israel website highlights the idea of diversity in their synagogue. In holy sites, you will often see division between religious groups and countries, but one must remember that it's better for humans to be united than separated. 

Creative Component:

As a response, I drew the Star of David to highlight the Jewish faith. 

More information on:

https://www.firstcongregationsonsofisrael.com/

St. Photios Shrine Greek Orthodox National Shrine

St. Photios Shrine Greek Orthodox National Shrine

41 St George St, St. Augustine, FL 32084

February 10, 202

St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine, located on St. George Street is dedicated to the Greek people in America in 1768 and the immigrants that sought a better life in the New World. It is the first national shrine of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America. Today it works as an educational center where people can learn about Greek ancestry through art, artifacts, photographs, and historical documents.

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Exterior:

Artifact:

Saint Photios the Great 

Saint Photios the Great, born around 820, was the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople during the ninth century. Photios expressed his faith in the Church through his writing. He became the defender of the autonomous traditions of his church and went against leaders during the 9th century.

Artifact:

Christ the Pantokrator

Early 19th century, Greek

Tempera on wood, with bronze and gilded riza

Gifted by Alfred Anthony Funai 2004,

New York, NY and Palm Beach, FL

in memory of Alfred Funai Sr.

Image in Conversation:

The Holy Bible

Illustrated by Francis Frith

1862-1863

The Holy Bible by Francis Frith was published by William Mackenzie in 1862. It's one of the best-selling books of all time with editions ranging from paperback and rare and collectible treasures. The bible is highly valued for its content and art. The most priced copies have illustrations, etchings, paintings, and embroidery. It is known to be one of the most beautiful and influential Bibles. 

Image in Conversation:

Temple of Hera, Olympia

The Temple of Hera is one of the oldest monuments in Greece built approximately in 590 BC. The temple was originally meant for Zeus and Hera, but was later changed after the Temple of Zeus was constructed. Although the temple was destroyed by an earthquake historians believe that the temple only had one room and a corridor. Even in ruins, the temple remains a prestigious piece of history. 

Literature Passage:

One Hundred Love Sonnets: XVII

Pablo Neruda

"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,"

St. Photios's Shrine is a place dedicated to telling the history of holy figures and Greek immigrants. It is a place where people of Greek heritage can go to learn about the history of the first Greek immigrants in America. Even though visitors may not know these people or holy figures, it is a place for learning and appreciation.

Creative Response:

This is a drawing of a Greek symbol to highlight the Shrine's history.

More information on: 

https://stphotios.org/

Castillo de San Marcos

Castillo de San Marcos

1 S Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084
March 31, 2022

The Castillo de San Marcos today stands as a monument of the Spanish colony in 1565. Constructed by the Spanish settlement the fort was used for protection against pirate raids, Native American tribes, and neighboring imperial powers. The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest surviving masonry fortress in the United States.

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The Castillo de San Marcos was built into a stone star-shaped fort after nine wooden forts were burned down. Although St. Augustine was founded in 1565 it took another hundred years until the stone Castillo de San Marcos was built. The star-shaped design originated in Italy in the 15th century which was where diamond or angle-shaped formations were added to fort walls. 

Artifact:

Cannons

The Castillo de San Marcos Fort is protected by multiple cannons on an off ground. While some cannons are basic others are known to be decorated with a Spanish coat of arms. Today, all the bronze guns are seen covered in green patina. 

Image in Conversation:

Fort Independence

Boston, Massachusetts

The present, Fort Independence of Massachusetts was built between 1834 and 1851. It is the oldest fortified military site in British North America. Like the Castillo de San Marcos, Fort independence was destroyed and rebuilt. The fort dates back to the 1630s but after reconstruction, it was built to be a pentagonal shape. 

Image in Conversation:

Castle of Loarre

Loarre, Huesca, Spain

The Castle of Loarre was built in the late 11th century in the frontier of Christian and Muslim land on the orders of King Sancho Ramirez I of Aragon. It's considered to be the most important Roman fortress in Spain. The castle is surrounded by semicircular towers and a small town.

Literature Passage

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Glacier

Craig Santos Perez

"O vulnerable humans, why do you engineer sea walls?" 

When reading Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Glacier by Santos Perez, these were some of the words that stuck with me the most. In this line, Craig Perez is asking humanity why sea walls are built since the reason waves are rising is because of climate change. In the fort and the poem, walls are used to provide humans with security. 

Creative Component:

This is a drawing of the lion in the Spanish flag to highlight the Spanish history of the Castillo de San Marcos. 

More information on:

https://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm

Oldest House Museum Complex

Oldest House Museum Complex

14 Cordova St, St. Augustine, FL 32084

February 24, 2022

The Oldest House Museum Complex has many intriguing features like the ornamental garden, two museums, and a changing exhibition gallery. Tours are also available to give insight into the culture and history of this St. Augustine. It was occupied in the early 1600s and was opened as a museum in 1893. The current art exhibit features art pieces that celebrate black motherhood in a visual and artistic way. The oldest house museum gives a unique experience where people are able to see beautiful Spanish architecture and are able to get a look into how people used to live.

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Artifact:

The gardens of the oldest house have seen many changes. "The Four Seasons," life-sized statues representing "spring," "summer," "fall", and "winter," were featured in the formal planting of the 1890s after Dr. and Mrs. Charles P. Carver, then owners of the house brought them here from the 1893 Columbian exposition in Chicago, the hand-colored photograph shown here was a popular souvenir for visitors.

Artifact:

Historic Kitchen Exhibit

This is the kitchen of the Gonzales-Alvarez House in the 1700s. During these times kitchens were built separately due to the frequency of fires in kitchens.

Image in Conversation:

Brita

When touring the Oldest House Complex we were explained how the family filtered their water. We saw a big porous rock that was thought to make water drinkable. I was reminded of the Brita water filters that are said to remove different substances from drinking water like microscopic parasites, and black particles. The black carbon granules the filters contain act like a sponge, absorbing harmful substances. The filters contain pores that clean the water just like in the porous rock in the Oldest House Complex.

Image in Conversation:

Venus Italica 

Antonio Canova 

1822-1823

Venus Italica is one of the most well-known sculptures. It was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte and made by the Italian sculptor Antonio Canova. It’s part of the Assembly Room and is thought to be Hearst Caste’s greatest masterpiece. It was created to replace an ancient Greek statue in Florence, Italy named the Venus de Medici which had been previously seized. It is now located in the Palazzo Pitti.

Literature Passage:

Love in a Time of Climate Change

Craig Santos Perez

"I love you organically, without pesticides."

This verse of Love in a Time of Climate Change reminded me of when I heard the explanation of the setup of the Oldest House. It was explained that the house was remodeled in the Victorian Era but when the Oldest House Exhibit opened it was all removed to make it look like it did before. The house is loved as it was built. 

Creative Component:

For my creative response, I chose to draw flowers. Flowers were all around the Old House Complex and that's what I was reminded of when thinking back on the complex.

 

More information on:

https://staughs.com/oldest-house-museum-complex/

Tolomato Cemetery

Tolomato Cemetery

14 Cordova St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
February 24, 2022

The Tolomato Cemetary is a Catholic cemetery dating back to the 18th century. It is a beautiful area and is important to St. Augustine’s early history. Over 1,000 people from many different places in the world were buried here including Spain, Minorca, France, Cuba, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Africa, Haiti, and America. Originally, it was outside the city walls in 1565 but is currently located in Downtown St. Augustine. The cemetery is opened once a month to the public, as it is wished to be preserved.  

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Exterior:

Artifact:

This grave marking says, “Esta capilla fue erigida pos los Cubanos el año 1858 para conserva las cenizas del Padre Varela.” This translates to, “This chapel was built by Cubans the year 1858 to conserve the ashes of Father Varela.”

Artifact:

El Padre Varela

Los Cubanos

Fallecio el 25 de Febrero 

De 1853

Father Felix Varela of Cuba was buried in the Tolomato Cemetary in 1853. Father Felix's grave is located inside a small, white chapel built by his grateful Cuban students and friends for his work for Cuban Independence. Although Father Felix Varela was born in Cuba he was raised in St. Augustine and worked in New York City for almost 30 years. In 1911, Fr Varela's bones were moved to Havana and now rest in a monument at the University of Havana.

Image in Conversation:

Celia Cruz Tombstone

1995

Celia Cruz, a Cuban-American singer was dubbed "The Queen of Salsa" and was one of the most successful performers of the 20th century. Born in Santos Suarez, Havana she was introduced to the world of music from an early age. Celia Cruz exploded in popularity when she became the lead singer for the orchestra Sonora Matancera. Her grave can be found in Woodlawn Cemetery in New York, USA. 

Image in Conversation:

The Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche

The Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios can be traced back to the founding of St. Augustine in the year 1565. When Pedro Menendez de Aviles arrived in St. Augustine he proclaimed the site for Spain and Church. The shrine was completed in 1609 and is the first shrine in the United States to be dedicated to Our Blessed Mother, Mary. 

Literature Passage:

[lukao]

Craig Santos Perez

"I felt like I was in a different space, here but not here. I kept thinking about people who I had lost, and I felt them around me. I could talk to them."

This excerpt from [lukao] is from when a woman had difficulties giving birth. For a moment, she described a place where she could talk to the dead and the living. This is what the Tolomato Cemetery reminded me of. The Tolomato Cemetary is a place where the dead are remembered, whether they have a gravestone or not, the dead will be remembered for all of history in St. Augustine. 

Creative Component:

More information on: 

http://www.tolomatocemetery.com/

Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center

 Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center

102 M L King Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084
March 24, 2022

Located in Saint Augustine, the Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center works to preserve and promote over 50 years of African American history through art, lectures, performances, and exhibits. The museum was once the first public black high school in Saint John's country in 1925 and later became a government office in the 1980s after desegregation. The museum opened in 2005. 

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Exterior:

Artifact:

"Happy as the Day is Long"

William H. Jackson

Detroit Publishing Co. (c. 1902)

These three boys appear smiling in front of the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. The kids were pictured to portray the day of January 1, 1863, when the Emancipation Proclamation freed the enslaved of the Confederate states.

Artifact:

Photograph

Debby Moore

Emmaline Maultsby, born in 1925 left St. Augustine, Florida for New York in hopes to realize her dreams of becoming a Jazz singer. Recorded the hits, “Five Months, Two Weeks, Two Days” and “Nothin’ But Trouble on my Mind” under her stage name Debby Moore.

Image in Conversation:

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is an American artist who became well known in the early 1960s. He became one of the most successful songwriters of his generation known for his innovative sound and creative use of instruments in his music. He also represented his activism in his work by producing and performing songs for charities that support homelessness, disabilities, domestic abuse, and other world issues.

Image in Conversation

Sit-ins

Sit-ins were a form of non-violent protest used in the 1960s to combat segregation. The movement started when four black students sat down at a lunch counter and were refused service. Although the students waited all night they were not served, the following day other students formed the protests. Sit-ins grew around the world By the end of the year more than 70,000 people participated in sit-ins where they would go to a segregated establishment and wait to be served.

English Passage:

Love in a Time of Climate Change

Craig Santos Perez

"I love you as one loves the last seed saved within a vault, gestating the heritage of our roots, and thanks to your body, the taste that ripens from its fruit still lives sweetly on my tongue."

This verse of Love in a Time of Climate Change reminded me a lot of the Lincolnville Museum. It is a place with decades of Black history that tells the story of Black people in Saint Augustine. If not for the students of Excelsior (former museum), and the people of Lincolnville the building would've been destroyed. Their protests gave future generations a chance to learn about Black history in Saint Augustine.

Creative Response:

This is a drawing of a symbol that represents Black history and representation along with unity. 

More information on:

https://www.lincolnvillemuseum.org/

Lightner Museum

 Lightner Museum

75 King St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
March 10, 2022

Found in the center of Saint Augustine, stands the Lightner museum, rich with history. The Lightner Museum, built in 1888 by Henry Flager became a museum in 1948. The museum includes 3 floors filled with art exhibits along with a gift shop on the first floor. The previous indoor pool in the museum has now been transformed into a diner for the public to enjoy. The museum has beautiful architecture and collections for the public to admire.  

Exterior:

Exterior: 

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John Rogers (American,1829-1904)

"You are a Spirit, I know: When Did You Die?" 1885

Painted plaster

Early in his career, Rogers declared his intent to create sculptures inspired by the works of Shakespeare. Writing in 1861 he stated. Taking my designs from Shakespeare will give them a dignity that everyday subjects don't have. In this large statuary group, Rogers illustrates a scene from Act IV of Shakespeare's powerful tragedy King Lear. Stripped of his wealth and power through the betrayal of his scheming daughters Goneril and Regan, Lear has wandered over the stormy heath, driven to the point of insanity. Rogers depicts a moment of redemption, as the aged king is reunited with his loyal daughter, Cordelia. In a rectangular stage-like setting the seated Lear reaches out to touch his daughter Cordelia who sits anxiously at his feet. Behind Lear and Cordelia, the king's supporter the Earl of Kent, and a doctor look on.

Artifact:

Bernhard Bloch & Company Bohemian (Czechoslovakian) 

Monumental Centerpiece Vase with Fantasy Creatures, ca. 1900

Glazed Majolica Ceramics

Image in Conversation:

The Creation of Adam

Artist: Michelangelo

The Lightner Museum also reminded me of Renaissance art, like the fresco painting by Michelangelo, “The Creation of Adam.” This painting was made in 1512 and forms part of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling. The painting illustrates the Book of Genesis where God makes Adam. 

Image in Conversation:

Spartacus

1830

Artist: Foyatier, Denis

When walking into the Lightner Museum, I was reminded of the Louvre. Although I’ve never visited the museum in real life I have learned about multiple of the art pieces it holds. This is a sculpture of Spartacus that’s currently held in the Louvre. It was made in 1830 by Denis Foyatier with marble.

Literature Passage:

Love in a Time of Climate Change

Craig Santos Perez

"I don't love you as if you were rare earth metals, conflict diamonds, or reserves of crude oil that cause war. I love you as one loves the most vulnerable. species: urgently, between the habitat and its loss."

Right away in this excerpt from Love in a Time of Climate Change, I was reminded of the crystals located in the Lightner Museum. The phrase "the most vulnerable" reminded me of the art at the museum. Art is filled with history and influence but it's one of the most delicate of artifacts out there. Even age is known to damage art. But although art it's vulnerable it's loved, especially in the Lightner Museum. 

Creative Component:

This is a drawing of Michelangelo's sculpture David. I chose to draw this because the sculptures are what struck me the most at the Lightner Museum. 

More information on:

https://lightnermuseum.org/