Father Miguel O'Reilly House Museum

Built during the First Spanish Period, the Father Miguel O'Reilly House Museum is one of the oldest structures in St. Augustine and is situated in the oldest continuously settled neighborhood. Constructed in 1691 and made of tabby and coquina, the building was purchased by Father Miguel O'Reilly in 1785. Father Miguel, an Irish priest in the service of the Spanish crown, made this house a place of spirituality and education, preserving the old values. The property was eventually left to the Sisters of St. Joseph, who originally used the space to teach newly emancipated African Americans. 

Located on historic Aviles Street, this museum opened to the public in 2003. The house focuses on three main areas: the history of the property, the Catholic tradition it represents, and the story of the Sisters of St. Joseph who have maintained and preserved the historic house since 1866. Following the Civil War, Bishop Augustin Verot, the first bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine, invited the Sisters of St. Joseph to live and work here, educating the recently freed people. When the first eight Sisters of St. Joseph from LePuy, France, arrived in St. Augustine on September 2, 1866, their goal was to establish schools for Black children.

You are encouraged to explore the entire property, from the beautiful garden, with ornamental plants, vegetables, and herbs, to the top floor of the three-story home. Each of the six rooms offers an authentic glimpse of how the sisters lived in St. Augustine, and how they taught their young students, first in a room of their home and later in a nearby school.

Explore the sisters' sleeping quarters on the top floor, their gathering room, and the small room used as their original classroom. Displays include musical instruments, a telescope, and art equipment representing the extensive curriculum the sisters created.

Admission to the museum is free, and donations are gratefully accepted.

This historic old building does not have an elevator, and while the first floor is accessible to people with limited mobility, the upper floors are not.