Fatio House hosts Archival Society

SAINT AUGUSTINE – The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, owned and operated by the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Florida (NSCDA-FL) recently served as the host site for the St. Augustine Archival Society monthly meeting in June. More than 20 members of the Society gathered at the House and Museum which included a tour of the historic boarding house and review of the archival department, meeting staff, along with archive systems development and implementation, and cataloguing.

According to Julia Vaill Gatlin, Ximenez-Fatio House Museum’s Executive Director, the two organizations are among a wide array of entities in the field ranging from property sites, museums, non-profits, educational institutions, tourism locations, and historic destinations, to name a few. The Society joins museum professionals and archivists to view materials and methods of archiving while meeting local experts who organize, record and store hundreds of large items to minute materials necessary to preserve and educate the public about ancient treasures and important archeological items, among others.

The two organizations share a common mission to promote and support research, education, and archival stewardship through a network of archival and museum professionals with collections accessible to researchers, archivists and others in St. Johns County, and surrounding areas.

The St. Augustine Archival Society meetings are currently facilitated by Matt Armstrong who serves as the Collections Coordinator for the University of Florida Historic St. Augustine (UFHSA) Government House Research Collections. The UFHSA is a University of Florida direct support organization created to ensure the long-term preservation and interpretation of state-owned historic properties in St. Augustine. Through historic preservation initiatives and education programs, the USHSA is responsive to the state’s needs for professionals in historic preservation, archaeology, cultural resources management, cultural tourism, history, and museum administration. The organization is focused on helping meet the needs of St. Augustine and the state through educational internships and practicums. For more information, visit the website at www.staugustine.ufl.edu.

The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and tours of the buildings and rooms are available from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., and closed on Sundays and Mondays. The property is available for group functions including weddings and events. During tours, regular admission is free for St. Johns County residents; adults $10; children, students, seniors and military $8, and the family rate is $20. Private group rates are $6.50 per person.