Following a two-year renovation project, St. Augustine’s Lightner Museum’s beloved stained glass exhibit will once again open to the public.
Originally built as the Alcazar Hotel by Henry Flagler in 1888, the Lightner Museum was the first hotel to offer electricity and en suite bathrooms in all rooms. Eventually the building was purchased by Otto Lightner in the late 1940s and transformed into Lightner’s Museum of Hobbies. Over time the museum morphed into what it is today. Remnants of the building’s unique past still exist, though.
One of the highlights of the museum has always been Lightner’s personal collection of stained glass works, which have been on display since 1948. Then, in 2016, Hurricane Matthew damaged that portion of the building, causing the display to close. The museum staff spent two years fundraising to restore the works back to their original glory, and now the Illuminate: Lightner Museum’s Stained Glass Rediscovered exhibit is once again ready to open to the public.
Learn more about the Lightner Museum and this exhibit in the September issue of 352 Preview magazine at https://issuu.com/352preview/docs/352_september/9.
Check out more local entertainment like this at 352preview.com.
