Villa Zorayda Museum: "Building America, the Life and Vision of Franklin W. Smith"

The Villa Zorayda Museum hosts a special exhibit, Building America, the Life and Vision of Franklin W. Smith through Wednesday, September 30, 2026, during regular museum hours.

Villa Zorayda Museum showcases this Franklin W. Smith exhibit to showcase his early years during the Civil War era, his imprisonment and presidential pardon, his impact on St. Augustine's architecture, and his broader vision for America.

An American reformer, visionary, and entrepreneur, Franklin W. Smith was also an early abolitionist, author, architectural enthusiast, and founding member of the first YMCA in the U.S. He believed in social progress, civic responsibility, and cultural exchange and was a pioneer in American tourism drawn to places like St. Augustine where history and innovation converged.

In 1883, Smith introduced a bold architectural vision to St. Augustine when he constructed Villa Zorayda as his winter home. He revived an ancient building technique using local coquina shell, reintroducing a centuries-old construction practice that left a lasting imprint on local architecture.

A self-guided audio tour explores Smith's art collection and this Gilded Age jewel's architectural history. You can experience the stories that reveal a legacy of creativity, global influence, and enduring cultural significance.

The cover photo is a portrait of Franklin W. Smith.

Admission: Regular museum entry fees apply. They are $15.00 for adults, $14.00 for seniors, $13.00 for active and retired military, students $11.00, children five to 12 years old $8.00, and free for kids younger than five. (An entry fee includes an audio tour.)

When: Through, Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.

Where: The Villa Zorayda Museum, 83 King Street, St. Augustine