Historic holiday house tours in St. Augustine will take place during the Nights of Lights season at the 225-year-old Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, located on America's oldest street.
In partnership with the St. Augustine Art Association, the Ximenez-Fatio House will present “A Celebration of Art & History” through Jan. 5 featuring 1800s holiday finery and 14 fireplaces decorated by 14-plus area artists. Guests can stroll through the historic house decorated for the Christmas season and view decor and artwork by members of the St. Augustine Art Association. The association was founded on Jan. 18, 1924, in the Ximenez-Fatio House, located at 20 Aviles St. Now located at 22 Marine St., the association will celebrate 100 years in 2024.
Holiday house tours will be held at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the original coquina structure. Tickets are $20 for adults; $15 for seniors, military and teachers; $10 for St. Johns County residents and Flagler College students; and $5 for children 17 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at ximenezfatiohouse.org and through eventbrite.
Selected artists include Melissa Whitehead, Martha Ferguson, Linda Sperruzzi, Laura Leibert, Catherine St. Jean, Angela Gaudioso-Klein, Barbara Betus, Paula Pascucci, Svetlana Shorey, Robyn Freedman, Gwen Mehler, Teri Tompkins, Judy Vance and the Flagler College Fine Arts Department — Leslie Robison, Sara Pedigo and Jason Schwab.
“This effort has been inspired by the beautiful Christmas Extravaganza at Stetson Mansion in Deland, Florida, and supported by its designer, J. T. Thompson,” said Payson Tilden, executive director at the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum. “We do not believe this has ever been done in St. Augustine, and it provides a unique opportunity to celebrate our partner relationship with the St. Augustine Art Association, which had its beginnings at the Ximenez Fatio House in 1924.”
In 1798, Don Andrés Ximenez built the three-story house for his wife, Juana Pellicer, and their children. Juana’s father, Francisco Pellicer, led the Menorcan exodus of 1777 out of New Smyrna, from their bondage by Dr. Andrew Turnbull.
By 1830, Margaret Cook had completed the purchase of the property. Cook converted the home into a boarding house. In 1838, Sarah Petty Anderson purchased the boarding house. In 1851, Louisa Fatio became the manager of Anderson’s boarding house. In 1855, Anderson sold the property to Fatio.
After Fatio’s death, the house remained in her family until 1939 and was leased throughout the years for many purposes, including the St. Augustine Art Association. The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Florida purchased the property in 1939 and began the decades-long process of meticulously restoring and furnishing the home with the intent of making it a historic house museum.
Events at the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum are sponsored in part by the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, St. Johns Cultural Council and Historic Coast Culture, the Institute of Museums and Library Services and other community partners and sponsors.
Learn more at ximenezfatiohouse.org or call 904-829-3575. The Ximenez-Fatio House is located at 20 Aviles St., St. Augustine.
