Created By The King Of Hobbies - The Lightner Museum

The Lightner Museum was founded by Chicago publisher and collector Otto C. Lightner in 1947. Lightner was best known as the publisher of Hobbies, The Magazine for Collectors. Through his magazine he promoted various fields of collecting including autographs, antique furniture, coins, paper money, glass, silver, china and just about anything collectable. The museum occupies the former iconic Alcazar Hotel, a Gilded Age resort hotel commissioned by railroad magnate Henry Flagler. It was designed by Carrere & Hastings and completed in 1888. The hotel was initially conceived as an entertainment annex for the Ponce de Leon Hotel across the street, but then plans changed and it included an independent hotel. The Alcazar Hotel closed following the Wall Street Crash of 1929, and fallen into disrepair.

Here is what caught my eye; I hope you enjoy!

The front facade of the Lightner Museum

A statue of Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles in front of the Lightner Museum.

The museum highlights the aspects of the building’s former life as an elegant hotel.

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St. Augustine: A Brief History of America's Oldest City

By Gold, Robert L.

The Art of Collecting: Personal Treasures that Make a Home (Victoria)

83 Press

Flagler's St. Augustine Hotels: The Ponce de Leon, the Alcazar, and the Casa Monica

By Graham, Thomas

The Lightner Museum building

Inside the courtyard

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An old framed photograph of the Alcazar Hotel

A stained glass window of St. Augustine in the stained glass gallery which also includes lamps made by the Tiffany Studio.

Some of the chairs and statuary on display on the first floor

The Alcazar boasted the world’s biggest indoor pool during its heyday, and now the pool is home to the Alcazar Cafe.

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Lightner went around buying up extensive collections of everything from fine art to oddities.

These two images are of a temporary exhibit of antique bicycles.

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A substantial portion his collection consisted of art and objects purchased from many of Chicago’s grandest Gilded Age mansions.

Lightner acquired artwork and objects, light fixtures, stained glass and architectural fragments from estates prior to demolition.

This Grande Escritoire was believed to belonged to Louis Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon

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An antique baby cradle

Lightner started his collecting to form his Museum of Hobbies in Chicago

The original hotel Russian Baths

The original hotel gymnasium shower

A Moroccan double settee

An old framed print of the indoor pool

Cafe Alcazar is located in the deep end of the former indoor swimming pool.

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The museum retains elements of the building’s past elegance

Lightner died in 1950 and is buried just outside the entrance to this central courtyard.

An old photograph of the Ponce de Leon Hotel

An old framed print of the Villa Zorayda

The museum celebrates Lightner and his collections as well as highlighting the remarkable history of the hotel and its place in Henry Flagler’s powerful vision to shape the future of Florida at the dawn of the 20th century.

What you should know:

• Tickets can be bought on-line or on-site.

• Check the website for days and hours of operation.

• People are friendly and helpful.

• Luggage and large backpacks must be checked at the admission desk.

• Tripods or selfie sticks are prohibited.

• On the street parking is available, some metered; check posted parking regulations signs.

• Public restrooms are available.

• You can spend 1 to 1.5 hours here or more depending on your level of interest.

Location: 75 King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084

For more information: Lightner Museum