Lightner Museum: Otto C. Lightner's Ceramics

The Lightner Museum presents Ceramics: Selections from the Otto C. Lightner Collection, beginning on Friday, August 14, 2026. 

The author of Hobbies Magazine, Otto C. Lightner, amassed a "collection of collections" and was particularly proud of the vast and various types of china he displayed in his museum. This exhibition showcases a curated selection of Lightner’s ceramic collection, offering a glimpse into the eclectic and unexpected pieces that captivated the avid collector.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, artists and small manufacturers created some ceramic pieces that were useful and others with a fantastical design. This exhibit shows how Lightner chose pieces that may not have had academic or artistic value, but were rewarding, creative, and of great variety.

Admission: $20.00 for adults, $17.00 for seniors, military, and college students (with ID), $13.00 for youth ages 12 to 17, and $12.00 for St. Johns County residents. Free for children ages 11 and younger, and Flagler College students (with ID).

When: Beginning Friday, August 14, 2026. The Lightner Museum is open daily (see below), from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where: The Lightner Museum, 75 King Street, St. Augustine

The museum is generally open seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They are closed on New Year's Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.