The St Augustine Garrison

The St Augustine Garrison The volunteers of the St. Augustine Garrison represent the life and times of Spanish soldiers and their families in St. Augustine around the year 1740.

The Saint Augustine Garrison is a group of re-enactors who portray the life and times of the Spanish soldiers and their families in 1740s Colonial Spanish Saint Augustine The Saint Augustine Garrison was created in July, 1984 by the Historic Florida Militia, Inc. a 501 (c) 3, Non-Profit Cooperation. Their mission is to foster an understanding of military history of early Spanish Florida through mi

litary demonstration, interpretive programs, portrayals and publications and to provide visitors of the Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanza a trip back into time of 1740 Spanish Saint Augustine.

The Historic Florida Militia is proud to be a part of this historic reenactment of the founding of St. Augustine.
08/10/2026

The Historic Florida Militia is proud to be a part of this historic reenactment of the founding of St. Augustine.

Each year the Diocese of St. Augustine strengthens its connection to the Camino de Santiago, the famous pilgrimage acros...
07/16/2026

Each year the Diocese of St. Augustine strengthens its connection to the Camino de Santiago, the famous pilgrimage across Spain that ends at the tomb of St. James, by celebrating the Feast of St. James and the Camino de Las Américas.

This year, the celebration will include an evening full of prayer, pilgrimage and liturgy in the heart of historic St. Augustine on July 24.

It will start at 5:30 p.m. with prayers and announcements at the field altar behind the main church at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, 101 San Marco Ave. in St. Augustine, followed by a procession departing at 5:45 p.m.

The procession has become a highly anticipated moment with each celebration, as many follow a statue of St. James as it is processed through the downtown streets en route to the Cathedral Basilica, 38 Cathedral Place in St. Augustine.

Once the procession arrives at the Cathedral Basilica, the celebration will move inside the church with a pilgrim program at 6:30 p.m. and Mass at 7 p.m.

The night will wrap up with a festive reception at 8 p.m. in the Cathedral courtyard.

The Historic Florida Militia always takes great pride in the living history interpretations we present to the public, bu...
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.

As part of the St. Augustine History Festival, English corsair Sir Francis Drake and his raiders return to St. Augustine...
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

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P. O. Box 586
Saint Augustine, FL
32085

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