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Florida

Signature City St. Augustine

Program No. 6642RJ
Explore culturally vibrant St. Augustine with historians and experts to learn the story of the nation’s oldest city through its architecture, art, monuments, Gilded Age works and more.

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Protecting the Environment

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Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
St. Augustine, Florida
Program Concludes
St. Augustine, Florida
Meals
11 ( 5B, 3L, 3D )
Activity Level
Bright and bold living history awaits you in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida — the oldest, continuously-inhabited city in America. What began as a thriving community of indigenous peoples, the Timucuans, became a Spanish fortress and transformed over the centuries into a charming seaside town seeped in antiquity. Brimming with authentic, restored Spanish, British, and Venetian Renaissance architecture, local experts share gripping tales and a dramatic overview of the city's remarkable history. Walk the sacred grounds of the Timucuan Indians with an archaeologist, understand the importance of the Spanish Fort and discover the role the harbor played in the Revolutionary War from an esteemed maritime archaeologist, while viewing salvaged maritime artifacts and remnants of a British vessel. Come and immerse yourself in the city's unique Old-World charm. Viva San Augustin!
Best of all, you'll...
  • Discover a unique tapestry of history through the shared passions of park rangers, scholars, authors, storytellers and historians.
  • Learn about the Timucua, who had a thriving civilization centuries before the Spanish, and enjoy expert-led explorations of Spanish and British architecture.
  • See the Victorian Era come alive at the Lightner Museum and understand the legacy of Henry Flagler and his grand hotels, admiring Gilded Age works of Tiffany glass in historic buildings.
Profile Image
Roger Smith
Dr. Roger Smith, an expert in Early American history, has received numerous awards for his work on the American Revolution in the South. An adjunct professor of American history, he also represents Colonial Research Associates and speaks nationally on the Revolutionary War. He consulted for the AMC series “Turn” and was in the PBS documentary “Secrets of the Dead: The Secrets of Spanish Florida.” He has worked with Florida Humanities Council, University of West Florida, University of Florida, and the City of St. Augustine.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Profile Image of Margaret Kaler
Margaret Kaler
Margaret Kaler, from St. Augustine, studied theater at Florida State University and worked with the Asolo Theater in Sarasota. She specializes in re-enacting historical St. Augustine figures from Maria Malendez, a Timucuan woman, to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, author of “The Yearling.” She also acts and directs with local theater companies. A storyteller, Margaret serves on the board of the Florida Storytelling Association which produces the annual Florida Storytelling Festival. Audiences love her tales about growing up in St. Augustine, ghost stories, and history.
Profile Image of Marsha Chance
Marsha Chance
Marsha Chance, a St. Augustine native, is an archaeologist, museum educator, and preservation consultant with 47 years of experience. With a master’s degree in Anthropology, she has served as an exhibit text author, graphics researcher, history camp director, and is presently the Curatorial Chair at the historic Pena-Peck House in St. Augustine. Marsha has also served on the Florida Historical Commission, the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum Board of Trustees, and the St. Johns County Historic Resource Review Board.
Profile Image of Ann Masters
Ann Masters
Dr. Ann Browning Masters is a poet and 12th-generation Floridian. Her book “Floridanos, Menorcans, Cattle-Whip Crackers: Poetry of St. Augustine” features stories about mullet-netting, pilau-eating, and rum-running times in northeast Florida. Her writing has been recognized and recorded for the Florida State Historical Archives. In 2015, Masters was knighted by the St. Augustine Easter Festival for her dedication in promoting St. Augustine’s Spanish heritage. She enjoys sharing the beauty and drama found in St. Augustine from the Civil War through the Civil Rights Movement.
Profile Image of Charles Tingley
Charles Tingley
Charles Tingley, a native Floridian, relocated to St. Augustine in 1978. He founded the Friends of St. Augustine Architecture, Inc., served on the city’s Historic Architectural Review Board, and is the Senior Research Librarian at the St. Augustine Historical Society. An award-winning writer, Charles has contributed to documentaries for the BBC, French National Television, PBS, NPR, and more, and had architectural photographs published in a work on the city’s historical architecture. In 2019, the St. Augustine City Commission gave him the de Aviles Award.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Varies by date
Suggested Reading List
View Full List (13 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.






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