First Congregation Sons of Israel

First Congregation Sons of Israel

St. Augustine, Fl

April 7, 2022

Description:

First Congregation Sons of Israel is the oldest Synagogue in “The Nation’s Oldest City”, St. Augustine, Florida and is located in the beautiful historic district. They are a conservative, egalitarian congregation had hold weekly Sabbath services. The Synagogue suffered from Hurricane Matthew which caused extensive damages to the Sanctuary. Many people got together and gave generous donations to help with the repairs which lead to the reopening in 2018. The strong community that surrounds the Synagogue came together in order for the final restorations to be completed.

First Congregation Sons of Israel

Exterior 1

Exterior 2

Artifact 1

    This mural, is made by stained glass. It just so happens to be the stained glass from the original set of stained glass windows they received. There was a box filled with the glass and they used that to make this beautiful mural around the Star of David.  

Artifact 2

    This artifact is is the original kittel (prayer robe) worn by the first rabbi of the 1st Congregation Sons of Israel. The rabbi's name was Jacob Tarlinsky and he wore this kittel in the 1800s.

In Conversation 1

Stained Glass Image Source

    This stained glass mural is located in the Roman Catholic Church my parents attend. The church is called St. Thomas The Apostle Church in Bloomfield, New Jersey. When I would be sitting in Sunday mass, the stained glass would always catch my attention because there are stories in most of them and I would focus on them to try and figure the story out. 

In Conversation 2

St. Thomas the Apostle Church Image Source

    This Roman Catholic Church is also the one my parents attend but with an outside view. Out front of the church there is a cross. When going to visit the First Congregation Sons of Israel, I realized that different religions have different symbols that are significant. For the First Congregation Sons of Israel, they have the Star of David while Roman Catholics have the cross. 

Literature In Conversation

“Do you not see how the glacier / already floods the streets / of the cities around you?” - Craig Santos Perez, Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Glacier, page 19

    When Hurricane Matthew hit St. Augustine, the First Congregation Sons of Israel Synagogue was extremely damaged due to the flooding in the surrounding city. The community needed to come together in order to achieve donation money to donate to help repair the synagogue. The goal was reached and now most of the repairs are completed.

Creative Component

    For my creative component portion of this section, I chose to digitally draw the Star of David the is on the ceiling of the Synagogue. A Flagler College student had designed this structure and they took place in setting it up the Star of  David.

Castillo de San Marcos

Castillo de San Marcos

St. Augustine, FL

March 31, 2022

Description:

Castillo de San Marcos stands today as a monument to the Spanish empire’s 300-year occupation of Florida and to the interaction and clashes of cultural groups that built the unified nation that is the United States today. This historic monument was constructed to protect Spain’s settlement in St. Augustine. Castillo de San Marcos is both architecturally impressive as the oldest surviving masonry fortress in the United States and culturally significant because its stone walls are a testament to the endurance of this nation’s Latino heritage and to the other cultural groups that have played a role in its story. The Castillo illustrates the resourcefulness of the Spanish and their capable military engineers in the New World and the history and cultural influences of various groups associated with the site.

Castillo de San Marcos

Exterior 1

Exterior 2

Artifact 1

    In the image above, there is a point on the fort. It extends off from the original square structure. These is called bastions and are located on all of the 4 sides of the Castillo de San Marcos. These bastions enable there to be absolutely no blind spots where enemies could hide. There used to be guards on all of the corners so all the land below could be seen. 

Artifact 2

The photo above includes an artifact titled the "Sizzling Salvo". This was used by the soldiers as a way to heat cannonballs until they are glowing. During a naval attack, one soldier tends the coal fire and loads the cannonball. After 30 minutes the other soldiers would remove the red hot shots with tongs. The cannonballs would then be shot at the enemy's ship. Although, soldiers never fired these hot cannonballs during battle.

In Conversation 1

Fort Ticonderoga Image Source

Fort Ticonderoga is another significant fort, like Castillo de San Marcos. The fort pictured above is located in the state of New York in Lake Champlain. Fort Ticonderoga was in use during the Revolutionary war. Since it was in Northern New York, it secured a passageway north to Canada and gave the patriots an important cache of artillery. This structure, as well as the Castillo de San Marcos have bastions, which allow there to be no blind spots of the land down below. These bastions aided during battle since there is the ability to see if anyone were to sneak up upon them. 

In Conversation 2

Ba Sing Se Map Image Source

    Above, I have inserted a picture of a map in one of the childhood tv shows (Avatar The Last Airbender) I used to watch. When I learned that the community had to live inside the Castillo de San Marcos, I immediately thought of how the city of Ba Sing Se lived inside the inner walls of the city. It is somewhat similar due to both communities, the Spanish and the citizens of Ba Sing Se, living inside their little "cities" in order for their own protection. 

Literature In Conversation

"Crazy to live without a wall to protect you" -Octavia Butler, Parable of the Sower, page 8

    This quote may be short but it has a lot of impact behind it. In the Parable of the Sower, Lauren lived in the walls of her community/neighborhood. They lived surrounded by walls for the entire neighborhood's safety. Which is why I related "living with walls" to the Castillo de San Marcos. The soldiers and the community had to live within the walls of the fort in order to have protection from enemies. This living situation was not permanent because they were able to venture out as time passed. 

Creative Component

    For the creative component for the Castillo de San Marcos, I did a digital drawing of an overhead view of the fort. For this digital drawing, I used the app procreate and I was able to make use of the different brushes they offer and different textures. This drawing was my first thought to make because I have always seen pictures of the Castillo de San Marcos so I decided to make one. 

Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center

St. Augustine, Florida

March 24, 2022

Description:

The Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center is an African American history museum in the Lincolnville neighborhood of St. Augustine, Florida. This building was built in 1925 and was originally the Excelsior School building. The school was the first public black school in St. John's County. When the school closed the building. The school closed and the building was then used for government offices. These offices were used until the mid-1980s and were then scheduled to be demolished. If it weren't for the former students and the community, the building would not be standing. The museum then opened in 2005. The Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center's mission is to" preserve, promote and perpetuate over 450 years of the African American story through the arts, educational programs, lectures, live performances, and exhibits".

Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center

Exterior 1

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Artifact 1

    The picture above consists of a countertop from St. Augustine Woolworth's lunch counter. The setup from this restaurant features the lunch counter, footrest, and the original stools. This is the only serving section of the restaurant since the Woolworth's building was demolished. In July 1963, the St. Augustine Four emerged. This was for local teenagers entered the restaurant and were later jailed for asking for a Coke and a hamburger at a whites-only lunch counter. These four teenagers were released after six months and were hailed by Martin Luther King Jr. and Jackie Robinson as heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. 

Artifact 2

    The artifact I chose above is the layout of supplies used by an African American nurse. In 1960, only approximately sixty African American physicians, and a lesser number of allied professionals were practicing in the state of Florida. 

In Conversation 1

African American Soldiers WWI Image Source

    While looking at the exhibit with all of the nurse supplies, I thought about how African Americans were treated during wars. During WWI,  African Americans were treated extremely hostile to the point where white men refused to salute black officers and black officer. On top of this treatment they were receiving, African Americans were often barred from the officer's clubs and quarters. There was a lot of tension between the blacks and the whites during this time.

In Conversation 2

Segregation displayed in Restaurants Image Source

    During the 1950s and the 1960s, segregation was very common throughout the United States. There were separate doors for colored people, separate water fountains for colored people, and separate restrooms for colored people. This was all due to the whites not wanting to share their common areas. They used segregation as a way for whites and colored people to be "equal" but also separated from one another.

Literature In Conversation

"We do not know which to fear more, / the terror of change/ or the terror of uncertainty" -Craig Santos Perez, Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Glacier, page 18

    I chose this quote from Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Glacier and I feel like it responds the the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center. This is because during the Civil Rights Movement, the African Americans did not know what the outcome would be, but they dreamed that they would eventually be seen as equal. They kept fighting for their rights and many people were arrested and given jail time. A couple examples are the St. Augustine Four, Rosa Parks refusing her seat, and other social protests. 

Creative Component

 

    For my creative component for the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural center, I digitally drew the scrip pieces displayed in the museum. The store that gave these out was called Palace Market and it was opened by Frank Butler in the Lincolnville district. The store quickly prospered in the community due to the reasonable price and the high qualities of his goods. By handing out scrip pieces as change would encourage the loyal customers. Above I included the front and back of 25 cent scrip piece.

Lightner Museum

Lighter Museum 

St. Augustine, Florida

March 10, 2022

Description:

The Lightner Museum is located in St. Augustine, Florida, and was founded in 1948 by Otto C. Lightner. This museum was formally known as Alcazar Hotel. The Lightner Museum consists of many collections such as lamps by Louis Comfort Tiffany, exquisite shells, geological specimens, porcelain produced at Sèvres, and Victorian mechanical musical instruments. Not only does the museum holds collections from the past, but now offers new perspectives through its exhibitions, events, and educational programs. The Lightner Museum's Mission Statement states that its goal is "To inspire curiosity, excite minds, and enrich lives through our unique collection, historic building, and dynamic exhibitions and programs".

Lightner Museum

Exterior 1

Exterior 2

Artifact 1

    The photo above is of the artifact, Renaissance Revival Grand Piano. This piano was owned by Amelia Galli-Curci, who was a famous Italian Coloratura Soprano. The piano was eventually sold at an auction and later on, Otto C. Lightner purchased the grand piano in 1930. The piano and other collections were given to the citizens of St. Augustine in 1948. 

Artifact 2

    The photo above is from the artifact, Empire Style Clock made by Pierre-Philippe Thomire. The decoration of this clock is almost a literal translation of the passage in the Metamorphoses. Thomire created many versos of the Phaethon Clock. Later on, the artist reached the pinnacle of his career when he designed and cast the bronze coffin of Napoleon Bonaparte.

In Conversation 1

Stain Glass Source Link

    Every year around Christmas, I go to St. Patricks Cathedral in New York City with my family. We will go and light candles for the loved ones that we had lost. This is one of the many family traditions that I have. As I walked into the stained glass room in the Lighter Museum, the stained glass reminded me of the stained glass in the St. Patrick's Cathedral. Stained glass is very common in churches and cathedrals as it enhances their beauty and shares a story that is proclaimed in the bible.

In Conversation 2

Triceratops Image Source

    For my whole life I have been fascinated with dinosaurs. So, when I was able to see the dinosaur egg in the Lighner Museum, I was fascinated. Another Museum that has a giant Dinosaur exhibit is the Museum of Natural History in New York City, NY. The exhibit has many dinosaur fossils and goes into very in-depth information about their history. The picture above is the Triceratops from the Dinosaur Exhibit in the Museum of Natural History. 

Literature In Conversation

"I love you as one loves the last seed saved within a vault, gestating heritage of our roots" -Craig Santos Perez, Love in a Time of Climate Change 

    I chose this quote for the Lightner Museum for multiple reasons. I feel as if this quote symbolizes history. If something is the "last", there must have been a first. The Lightner Museum focuses on historic artifacts and they are all saved in vaults so future generations could also witness them. Another reason I chose this quote is due to heritage. In multiple rooms, they dealt with different heritages and have assortments of artifacts from those from different decades or even centuries. People are able to enjoy what the past generations were able to witness and are able to honor them. 

Creative Component

    For my creative component portraying the Lightner Museum, I decided to digitally sketch the a sunflower in the form a stained glass.

Tolomato Cemetery

Tolomato Cemetery

St. Augustine, Florida

February 24, 2022

Description:

The Tolomato Cemetery is a cemetery located in St. Augustine, Florida. This cemetery holds at least 1000 remains, but only 105 (about) graves are marked. This cemetery was used up from the 18th century up until 1884. The cemetery started during the First Spanish Period, the British Period, the Second Spanish Period, and through Florida's Territorial and early Statehood periods. After those times, the cemetery was closed for burials, but they still offer tours. There is much history behind this cemetery. Since there are at least 1000 buried, they all hold a story, even if it is unknown. The Tolomato Cemetery contains the oldest marked grave in the state of Florida. This grave is the burial spot of Elizabeth Forrester. She had passed when she was a young teenager after she moved to St. Augustine. Unfortunately, her grave was robbed by the soldiers, and they took her clothing and valuables. This story was only one of the many stories that this 1-acre cemetery holds.

Tolomato Cemetery

Exterior 1

Exterior 2

Artifact 1

    This gravestone pictured above is the grave of Mary Carmen Benet. She had passed away on December 27, 1868, at the age of 33. She is buried with all of her children. Only one of them lived past a year old. On December 27, she passed away during childbirth, and unfortunately, her infant did too. Her husband put this grave up in memory of her and their lost children.

Artifact 2

    This picture was inside the mausoleum that was built in honor of Father Felix Varela. His remains were placed below the structure but were then moved and brought back to his home in Cuba. He was a Cuban priest that came to the United States.

In Conversation 1

White House Image Source

    While being at the Tolomato Cemetery, I was reminded of columns. Columns represent importance. Looking at the mausoleum of Father Felix Varela, made me think of the White House. They are both important structures and symbolic.

In Conversation 2

Lincoln's Tomb Image Source

    During a family road trip, I was fortunate to be able to visit the crypt of Abraham Lincoln. During my time at the Tolomato Cemetery, I remembered how the crypt of Father Felix Varela is similar to Lincoln's. They both have a "shrine" symbolizing their importance and their lives.

Literature In Conversation

"I kept thinking about people who I had lost, and I felt them around me" - Craig Santos Perez, Lukao, page 53

    

    This quote from Lukao reminds me of the Tolomato Cemetery. This is because in a cemetery people are buried all around us. There are many unmarked graves so people are unaware of where exactly the deceased are. In a literal sense, there are people all around us when walking through a cemetery. Another way this quote relates to the Tolomato Cemetery is due to the deceased all being a part of a family. Just because a person may die, their existence doesn't just disapear. Family members and their friends still think of them so they are able to feel their loved one who passed.

Creative Component

    The digital drawing above is the gates to the Tolomato Cemetery. I feel as if the gates around any location are very significant since gates symbolize an entryway into an unknown place. Before we went to the Tolomato Cemetery, we only understood it to be a cemetery and did not realize all the stories and history behind it.

Oldest House Museum Complex

Oldest House Museum Complex

St. Augustine, Florida

February 17, 2022

Description:

The Oldest House Museum Complex consists of the Gonzales-Alvarez House, Tovar House, the Fernandez-Llambias House, the Segui Kirby Smith House, the Webb Building, and the Dunham Building. These places all remain key holdings and demonstrate the distinct and significant periods of St. Augustine’s long and storied past. The St. Augustine Historical Society's mission is to acquire, preserve, and interpret the historical resources of St. Augustine and its sphere of influence for the benefit of the public through its stewardship of historic buildings and collections, research, publications, and educational programming.

Oldest House Museum Complex 

Exterior 1

Exterior 2

Artifact 1

    In the picture above, I chose the artifact of one of the statues of the four that represent the seasons. "The Four Seasons" are life size statues that represent "Spring", "Summer", "Fall", and "Winter". The specific statue I picked was the representation of "Fall". There is so much detail in this statue, such as the creases in the outfit she is in and the individual pieces of wheat in a bouquet she is holding in her arms. 

Artifact 2

    Richard Aloysius Twine made glass plate negatives of 103 photographs. Above is a picture of one of the glass plate negatives that he made. It is the Interior of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church.

In Conversation 1

Nothnagle Cabin Image Source

    In the photo displayed above is the interior of the oldest log cabin in America. It is called the Nothnagle Cabin located in Gibbstown, New Jersey. This photo relates to the Oldest House Museum Complex since it is also one of the oldest houses, just not the oldest "regular" house. The interior is unfinished, which is the same as the interior of the Oldest House. The Nothnagle Cabin was constructed in 1638 and still stands today in 2022. 

In Conversation 2

Twine's Glass Plate Negative Image Source

    The picture above is another one of Twine's glass plate negatives. This photo is labeled LV16 and it is of Mildred Parsons Mason Larkins. The glass plate negative can be found in the St. Augustine Historical Society Research Library's records which can be accessed online. 

Literature In Conversation 

"I felt like I was in a different space, here but not here" -Craig Santos Perez, Lukao, page 53

    This quote from Lukao reminds me of the Oldest House Museum Complex. The reasoning behind this is because of the many changes the house had gone through. Different owners and led to the changing the styles and architecture. My thoughts led me to think about if the people were still alive and decided to go back to the house. The original owners would feel as if it were a different space but in the end, it was the same house they had lived in but with major changes. Which is why they would feel like they were in a different place but be in the same one they originally knew of. 

Creative Component

    For my creative component, I decided to digitally draw a statue. I had been influenced by the four seasonstatues that are on the property. My favorite one is the statue for fall because of all the details expressed throughout the sculpture.

St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine

St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine
St. Augustine, Florida
February 10, 2022

Description:

St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine is depicted to the first colony of Greek people who came to America in 1768. The shrine educates its visitors with exhibits that depict the life of early Greeks in America, the development of the Greek Orthodox Church, and the St. Photios Chapel. Special exhibits tell the story of the First Greek Colony in the New World. This freestanding exhibit contains various artifacts, photographs, and historical documents.

St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine

Exterior #1

Exterior #2

Artifact 1

    This artifact above contains small pieces of bone (relics). They were received from the Vatican and gifted to the St. Photios Greek Orthodox  National Shrine. The documents of authenticity were provided by the Vatican and the box containing the sacred relics (Reliquary) was gifted to the Shrine by Archbishop Iakovos. The small pieces of bones are of the saints, which include: St. Paul, St. Peter, St. Titus, St. Haralambos, St. Anthony the Great, St. Ambrose, St. Athanasios the Great, St. Basil the Great, St. Constantine, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, St. Gregory of Jerusalem, St. Gregory of Nanzianzos, St. Gregory of Nysa, St. Helena, St. Nicholas of Myra, St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. Sabbas, and St. John of Damascus. 

Artifact 2

    This artifact shown above is a case filled with articles used for Holy Communion. Holy Communion commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with His disciples, when He asked that this be done in remembrance of Him. This practice of Holy Communion is still occurring today, in 2022, which these artifacts are also still in use today.  

In Conversation 1

Roman Catholic Communion Image Source

    In the Greek Orthodox Church, one single utensil is used to administer Holy Communion to the entire congregation. The people line up and the priest spoon-feeds them wine and bread. The mixture all comes out of the same cup, which the priest dips in and out of with the same spoon. In the Roman Catholic Church, the priest will hand out the bread and the deacon usually hands out the wine. If there is no deacon serving the mass, there are Eucharistic Ministers that will administer the wine. This is why I included the photo of the Roman Catholic Communion products. There is the bread, the wine chalice, the readings, and a cross located in the back. 

In Conversation 2

Roman Catholic Vestment Image Source

    In the Greek Orthodox Church, a priest's vestment is called a phelonion while priests in the Roman Catholic Church wears an Alb (a long white linen liturgical vestment with tapered sleeves), a chasuble (the vestment that is put on over all the others during Liturgical services), a stole (a long scarf when engaged in their official duties), etc. So, I have included a photo of the Roman Catholic Vestments above. 

Literature In Conversation

"Not all of the people living within our neighborhood walls are Baptists, but those who need to go to church are glad to come to us" - Octavia Butler, Parable of the Sower, Page 4, Frame 1

    

    This quote from Parable of the Sower reminds me of St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine. This is because the Shrine welcomes anyone to visit/tour, no matter what one's beliefs may be. When people visit, they are able to learn about the history and the faith, even though they may not participate in that specific belief. 

Creative Component

    The cross above was found during an archaeological excavation. It was then later adopted as the symbol of the National Shrine and was designated in 1971, by Archbishop Iakovos, as the St. Photios Shrine Cross. There are three whole in the cross which is assumed to symbolize the Holy Trinity. The reason I made this digital drawing of the cross is because the cross is such a significant artifact located ing the shrine.