Free admission to military for summer

SAINT AUGUSTINE –  The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum has announced free admission for the nation’s active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families through Saturday, Aug. 31. The annual program includes the local attraction’s formal participation as a member of Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America.

From the month of May through Labor Day since 2009, military personnel and their families are offered an opportunity to enjoy the nation’s cultural heritage and learn more about local communities. For more information, visit the website at https://www.arts.gov/news/2019/museums-nationwide-participate-tenth-summer-blue-star-museums. The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum is located at 20 Aviles Street in historic downtown St. Augustine, Fla. Visit the website at www.ximenezfatiohouse.org.

Considered as one of St. Augustine’s best-preserved Spanish colonial dwellings, the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum depicts the boarding house lifestyle of Florida’s Territorial Early Statehood Period. It is one of the first museums in America to interpret 19th century women’s history.

“As we continue our affiliation with Blue Star Museums and Blue Star Families, we are proud to participate in the military appreciation program,” said Julie Vaill Gatlin, executive director of the Ximenez-Fatio House. “Together with our member museums, we look forward to hosting military families with cultural resources in the community,” she said.

Blue Star Museums and Blue Star Families programs include a nonprofit network that partners with service members from all ranks while supporting, connecting and empowering the nation’s brave families with an array of morale and empowerment programs. The effort raises awareness of the challenges and strengths of military family life and helps to make military life more sustainable.

As a visitor destination, the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum is open for tours from Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm and guided tours of the buildings and rooms are available from 10 am until 2:30 pm, closed on Sundays and Mondays. The property is available for group functions including weddings and events. During tours, regular admission is $5 for St. Johns County residents; adults $10; children, students, seniors and military $8, and the family rate is $25. Private group rates are $6.50 per person.

The Ximenez-Fatio House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Historic American Buildings Survey.