One of the few remaining ornamental bridges on the East Coast of the United States, the Bridge of Lions has become one of St. Augustine's most familiar features. Opened in 1927, it furthered the development of Anastasia Island and St. Augustine Beach and, guarded by its marble lions, eventually came to symbolize the Nation's Oldest City itself. This exhibit describes the wooden span that preceded the bridge, highlights the work of the men who designed the structure and sculpted its distinctive lions, documents the bridge's design and construction, reveals its transformation into image and icon, and notes the recent controversy over its preservation. Featured in the exhibition are a lamp from the 1927 bridge, artifacts, mementoes, artworks, and dozens of historical photographs that document not only the bridge itself but the changing cityscape of St. Augustine in the early decades of the 20th century.

Programs & Events

.April 6, 2008 - Tale Tellers of St. Augustine at 271 Charlotte St., 2:30 p.m.
“Untold Stories of St. Augustine’s Civil War Era” featuring CSA Gen. Edmund Kirby-Smith & Cassie Selden Kirby-Smith, Dr. Esther Hill Hawks, Francis Kirby-Smith Webster & T. Buckingham Smith

May 20, 2008 - Richard Moorhead at Riverview Clubat, 790 Cristina Dr., 7:00 p.m.
Author of the forthcoming The Golden Era of Golf Course Design in Florida, 1886-1936, Richard Moorhead is a past president of the Florida Historical Society and resides in Winter Park, Florida.

June 6, 2008 - at 271 Charlotte Street, 5:00 p.m.
Book signing of St. Augustine in the Gilded Age by Beth Rogero Bowen and The St. Augustine Historical Society. A pictorial history of the early postcards of St. Augustine( release date: June 2). 

Walking Tour

A Walk about Town with Maria.
Fans of Eugenia Price's novel Maria, the story of Mary Evans (Fenwick, Peavett, Hudson), one of 18th-century St. Augustine's most interesting characters, will enjoy this self-guided walk that visits sites described in the popular novel. The tour is available in our Museum Store, but you can also click here to view and download the tour brochure PDF file. To print it, set to "landscape" and use 8.5" X 14" paper. It folds in thirds.