The St Augustine Garrison

05/10/2026

The Historic Florida Militia always takes great pride in the living history interpretations we present to the public, but this year’s presentation of Drake’s Raid will surely go down as one of the finest in many years. Through the dedication of our longtime HFM members, combined with the enthusiasm and energy of so many newer participants, this event truly became one for the ages.
As always, HFM wants to recognize and thank the many partners, supporters, and participants who help us keep our living history programs both engaging and memorable for the residents of our Ancient City and for the countless visitors who come to see history come alive. In no particular order:
Thank you to the City of St. Augustine for your continued support of our efforts. Our city is truly unique in its history, and with your help we were able to showcase that history to the world. Thank you to the St. Johns Cultural Council and the St. Johns Tourist Development Council for the grant support you provide, which helps make programs like this possible. Thank you to Cindy and John Stavely of the Colonial Quarter Museum. You provided the perfect setting for our event, and your staff could not have been more welcoming or accommodating. Thank you to Billy Triay and University of Florida Historic St. Augustine. Without the use of your properties, we would not be able to create the immersive historical encampments that are such an important part of the experience. Thank you to Kelli Meacham of Ann O’Malley’s Deli and Pub for graciously allowing us the use of your property, helping us further enhance the authenticity and spirit of the program. Thank you to Dr. Roger Smith and the St. Augustine History Festival for giving HFM the opportunity to once again participate in such a wonderful community event. Thank you to all of the living history participants who joined us. Many of you traveled great distances, entirely at your own expense, simply to share your passion for history with others. Your dedication and enthusiasm are deeply appreciated. Thank you to Karolynne and John Merriam for the outstanding photographs you continue to take and share with us. The images captured this year are truly remarkable, and what is shown here is only a small glimpse of their work.
And finally, as always, thank you to the love of my life, Ria, for the countless hours of hard work, support, and dedication you put into making all of this happen. None of it would be possible without you.

04/16/2026

As part of the St. Augustine History Festival, English corsair Sir Francis Drake and his raiders return to St. Augustine for an authentic re-creation of the 1586 sack of the city on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Join Drake’s privateers, along with Spanish militia and townspeople, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a 16th-century-style military and civilian encampment at the Colonial Quarter Museum, located at 33 St. George Street in St. Augustine. Throughout the day, visitors can experience military drills, weapons demonstrations, and engaging living-history interpretations. Admission to the Colonial Quarter on Saturday is free and open to the public.
The historically accurate reenactment of the sacking and burning of the town will begin Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. in the historic district, starting near the Governor’s House Museum. Drake’s men will come ashore as a clash erupts with Spanish soldados. As the fighting intensifies, Spanish troops and citizens retreat through the streets with Drake’s forces in pursuit. Skirmishes will continue north along St. George Street toward the field across from Ann O’Malley’s Deli and Pub on Orange Street, where the raid will again be interpreted for spectators to provide historical context.
The final engagement—featuring musket and cannon fire—will take place near the Santo Domingo Redoubt by the Visitor Center and parking garage. This dramatic conclusion symbolically represents the temporary withdrawal of Spanish colonial forces from the city. Following the destruction of the town, the Spanish ultimately returned to rebuild St. Augustine on the very streets we walk today.
This event is presented free of charge by the Historic Florida Militia and the Men of Menéndez, in partnership with the St. Johns County Cultural Council, the Colonial Quarter Museum, the University of Florida Historic St. Augustine, and Ann O’Malley’s Deli and Pub.

Additional information can be found at http://hfm.club

03/09/2026

03/04/2026

Important participant information.

02/06/2026

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the City of St. Augustine—especially Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline, Commissioner Cynthia Garris, Commissioner Jim Springfield, City Manager David Birchim, Assistant City Manager Ruben Franklin, and Communications Director Melissa Wissel—for allowing the Historic Florida Militia to participate in the 2026 St. Johns County Legislative Day.

Held in the Florida Capitol Courtyard in Tallahassee, the event highlighted the culture, economy, and priorities of St. Augustine and St. Johns County for state legislators through engaging local and cultural experiences. We were honored to represent our living history organization, share Florida’s rich heritage, and engage in meaningful conversations with state leaders and members of the public throughout the day.

More photos to follow.

01/01/2026

As the Chief Operating Officer of the Historic Florida Militia, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit historical living history organization, I would like to share information recently provided by the Burlington County, New Jersey, Board of County Commissioners.
For many years, our organization has worked diligently to preserve and interpret the unique and diverse history of St. Augustine and, more broadly, St. Johns County. While St. Johns County does offer support through its Arts, Culture, and Heritage Grant program, there is currently no funding specifically designated for living history organizations. As a result, living history initiatives have often taken a secondary role to other projects.
This is noteworthy given that visitor surveys consistently show history as one of the top reasons—often ranked first or second—why people choose to visit St. Augustine and St. Johns County. Although music, art, and culinary events understandably receive significant county support, these priorities can leave limited resources available for organizations dedicated to hands-on historical interpretation.
It would be encouraging to see county leadership further recognize the value of preserving our rich heritage by allocating funding specifically for living history organizations. Burlington County’s approach demonstrates a clear understanding of how targeted support for historical interpretation can strengthen cultural preservation and public engagement.
The following was excerpted from the Burlington County page…..

“As the nation’s 250th Anniversary quickly approaches, the Burlington County Commissioners continued to demonstrate their strong commitment to preserving and promoting local history by awarding a record number of grants to historic organizations and museums.
The Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve $78,861 in local history grants to 17 organizations for the upcoming 2026 calendar year. The funding will be used to support their operations and advance specific plans for historic preservation projects and activities, including several surrounding the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“Burlington County is one of the oldest counties in America and its history is among our most valuable assets,” said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, the liaison to the County Department of Resource Conservation and Parks. “As the 250th Anniversary of our nation approaches, our Board is excited to support more than a dozen organizations that are actively preserving our county’s history and teaching generations why it is important and relevant.”
The local history grants are awarded as part of the New Jersey Historical Commission’s County History Partnership Program to assist existing and emerging local history organizations and other nonprofits that undertake history projects…
“From America’s struggle for independence through the Industrial Revolution and the fight for Civil Rights, Burlington County and its people have been at the heart of countless events that helped shape our nation,” said Commissioner Randy Brolo. “In 2026, we plan to celebrate this history and bring it to life for residents and visitors from across the world. These grants will help support several of the 250th events. They will also provide financial support Burlington County historic organizations rely upon to complete other important projects…. “

12/07/2025

The Saint Augustine Colonial Night Watch 2025 was an extraordinary success, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make it possible. The Historic Florida Militia and the Saint Augustine Garrison hope you were able to experience what has truly become Saint Augustine’s premier living history event. Thousands of you joined us this year. For those who could not, you missed more than 150 historically attired interpreters bringing the past to life through a remarkable encampment and the Torch Light Parade along Saint George Street.

As we celebrate our tenth annual Colonial Night Watch, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to this year’s success. (Please forgive me if anyone is inadvertently overlooked.)

A special thank-you goes to Cindy and John Stavely of the Colonial Quarter Museum for graciously allowing us to use the property for our living history encampment. All day Saturday, thousands of visitors entered the Quarter free of charge to explore our camp and enjoy Native American presentations, blacksmithing demonstrations, the sugar press, sword fighting, musket firings, and much more. The Colonial Quarter remains a truly magical place where history comes alive.

Our sincere gratitude also goes to Billy Triay and the University of Florida Historic Saint Augustine for providing access to your properties. The Governor’s House Museum—especially its balcony—once again served as a perfect and iconic setting for our ceremonies.

Thank you to Steve Roberts, Kristin Brunsman, Chris Leverett, the Law Enforcement Rangers, and the entire National Park Service staff at the Castillo de San Marcos. Despite the challenges and new regulations presented this year, your professionalism and dedication ensured the event’s continued success.

We also extend our appreciation to the City of St. Augustine. With your support, we were able to proudly share the city’s rich and diverse history. Thousands of residents and visitors lined the parade route, celebrating yet another cherished tradition. Our ancient city is a truly special place, unmatched in historical significance anywhere in the nation, and with your continued support, we remain committed to keeping that history vibrant and alive.

Thank you to the St. Johns Cultural Council for your continued support, which is vital to preserving the historical heritage that contributes so strongly to our community’s tourism and identity.

To all who participated—many of whom traveled great distances from Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, and beyond—thank you for sharing your passion and knowledge with the people of Saint Augustine.

A special note of gratitude goes to Sonia San Juan, Vice Consul of Spain for St. Augustine and Jacksonville, for your exceptional portrayal of our ceremonial governess, and to Danielle Gallman for your beautiful renditions of traditional Christmas carols, which brought joy to the hundreds gathered in the Plaza.

Thank you also to Mother Nature for granting us just enough fair weather to complete our Torch Light Parade before the rain began.

And finally, my deepest thanks go once again to Ria, whose tireless hard work is at the heart of what makes Night Watch so special each year. It was not easy—but it was absolutely worth it.

With sincere appreciation,
Bob Alvarez
President, Saint Augustine Garrison
COO, Historic Florida Militia

11/24/2025

This year's premiere living history event, the Saint Augustine Colonial Night Watch, will be held Saturday December 6, 2025. This day long event, starting at 10:00am, will feature Spanish, British, and Native American historians portraying events from the years 1739 through 1784. Join hundreds of costumed re-enactors from St. Augustine’s Colonial past at the Colonial Quarter Museum on Saint George Street and the lawn of the Castillo de San Marcos. Soldiers will perform military drills and cannon and musket firing on the grounds of the Castillo and the Colonial Quarter. See a working sugar mill, colonial rope making, wool spinning, a leather worker, pewter smith, and medical displays at the Colonial Quarter. Chat with the re-enactors , ask questions about Saint Augustine’s storied past and take some photographs that will be treasured for years to come. The day's activities will end with a torch light parade through the streets of Saint Augustine. The parade will start at 7:00pm from the grounds of the Castillo and proceed through the City Gates and down St. George Street. The public is encouraged to follow the march (if you have a lantern bring it along) to the Plaza de Constitution and the Governor’s House Museum. From the balcony of the Governor’s House the ceremonial Spanish Governor will greet and address the crowd. A brief ceremony will be followed by a massive musket volley. Following this “Volley of Joy” all those assembled are invited to ring in the Holiday Season with the singing of Christmas Carols. This is always a highlight of the evening and again a perfect spot for photographs.
Saturday’s events at the Colonial Quarter, and on the Castillo lawns are free of charge and open to the public. Start your Holiday Season with an event that will create lasting memories for the entire family.
For those reenactors and living history interpreters who wish to participate in this event, the registration form is now available online at
https://hfm.club/about/garrison/colonial-night-watch-for-participants/

11/20/2025

Make this a part of your Holiday Tradition

11/20/2025

Just a reminder….

The registration form for participants of this years Colonial Night Watch is now on the HFM.club website. The dates of one of St Augustine’s oldest running living history events are Dec 5 and 6, 2025. Again this year Night Watch commemorates the time period 1738-1784. Spanish and British troops along with their indigenous allies will gather together to present St. Augustine’s rich and diverse history to thousands of visitors and residents. The torch light parade, watched by thousands, is truly a spectacle to see. Of course as always this event is free and open to the public. If you want to participate register now. Go to HFM.club, clink on the St Augustine Garrison banner, click on Night Watch for participants in the dropdown menu, fill out the form and hit send. It’s that easy.