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Coordinates: 29°53′41.6″N 81°18′46.6″W / 29.894889°N 81.312944°W / 29.894889; -81.312944
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{{Short description|Park in St. Augustine, Florida, United States}}
{{Advert|date=February 2019}}
{{Advert|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox park
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| name = Hispanic Garden
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| image = Hispanic Garden.jpg
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The Hispanic Garden is a space on the corner of St. George Street and Hypolita Street owned by the St. Augustine Restoration Foundation Inc. in downtown [[St. Augustine, Florida]].
| type =
| location = [[St. Augustine, Florida]]
| coordinates = {{coord|29|53|41.6|N|81|18|46.6|W|region:US-FL_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
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| area =
| opened = {{start date|1965}}
| open =
| owner = St. Augustine Foundation, Inc.
| website =
}}


The '''Hispanic Plaza''' is a garden in [[St. Augustine, Florida]], owned and maintained by the St. Augustine Foundation, Inc. It is closed to the public and is only open for special city events. {{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}
== History ==
The Hispanic Garden was a plot of land established and developed by the Hispanic Garden Committee, a group composes solely of women. The project was spearheaded by Elizabeth Towers, the only female member of St. Augustine Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission at the time of the Garden's founding. The St. Augustine Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission was a body dedicated to restoring and reconstructing downtown St. Augustine's historic structures in the mid-twentieth century and would later become the [[Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board]]. Elizabeth Towers had regularly traveled to Spain and thought a Spanish-style garden in the middle of downtown would be a welcome addition to the Commission's operations. The Commission conducted historical research to decide which flora to include in the garden.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00091358/00010|title=Historical research|website=ufdc.ufl.edu|language=en|access-date=2019-02-25}}</ref> To raise money for this endeavor, the Hispanic Garden Committee put on fashion shows and organized art auctions. [[Jessie Ball duPont]], from Jacksonville, donated a large sum to the project.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.staugustinesocial.com/women-planted-hispanic-garden/|title=Looking Back: The Women Who Planted the Hispanic Garden on St. George Street » St. Augustine Social|date=2016-03-09|website=St. Augustine Social|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-25}}</ref>


== History and design ==
Lee Schmoll and Drusilla Gjoerloff, Florida's two female landscape architects, were chosen to design the garden.<ref name=":0" />
In the early 1960's, the St. Augustine Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission (later renamed the [[Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board]]) bought the plot of land between the [[Casa del Hidalgo]], once a tourism office run by the Spanish Government,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00514/00016|title=Spain's Casa Del Hidalgo Dedicated|date=September 7, 1965|website=ufdc.ufl.edu|language=en|access-date=2019-02-26}}</ref> and the [[Marin-Hassett House|Pan American Center]] to build a garden as a symbolic link between the shared Hispanic heritage of [[Spain]], [[Latin America]], and [[Florida]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/JFKWHSFLCW/024/JFKWHSFLCW-024-001|title=St. Augustine Quadricentennial Commission, 1963: 4 May-25 September {{!}} JFK Library|website=www.jfklibrary.org|access-date=2019-02-26}}</ref> Commission member [[Elizabeth Towers]] established and led the Hispanic Garden Committee in order to raise the $45,000 needed to complete the garden. The committee held a variety of fundraising events, including fashion shows, teas, and art auctions.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00489/00001/26|title=Hispanic Garden Planned to Be Semi-Public Plaza|work=The St. Augustine Record}}</ref> They also sold small items including jewelry, letter openers, key rings, coins, and paper bulls donated by the Spanish Pavilion at the [[1964 New York World's Fair]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Hispanic Garden Plans Stress History, Upkeep|date=November 24, 1965|work=The Florida Times-Union}}</ref> Philanthropist, [[Great Floridians|Great Floridian]], and [[Florida Women's Hall of Fame]] inductee [[Jessie Ball duPont]] donated over $30,000 to the garden project.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.staugustinesocial.com/women-planted-hispanic-garden/|title=Looking Back: The Women Who Planted the Hispanic Garden on St. George Street » St. Augustine Social|date=2016-03-09|website=St. Augustine Social|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-25}}</ref>


Landscape architects Lee Schmoll and Drusilla Gjoerloff were chosen to design the garden.<ref name=":0" /> The design was inspired by plazoletas, classic [[Spanish garden]]s like ones seen at the [[Alhambra|Alhambra Palace]]. It was laid out in a [[trapezoid]], measuring 76 by 82 feet. The arbor was decorated with [[Trachelospermum jasminoides|Confederate jasmine]] and [[Rosa laevigata|Cherokee roses]] to act as a shaded walkway and rest area. There was no grass in the garden in order to maintain a historically accurate appearance.<ref name=":3" /> Plants included in the design were [[Sabal palmetto|cabbage palms]], [[kumquat]]s, [[Marigold (color)|marigolds]], [[Ilex vomitoria|yaupon holly]], and [[Ilex cornuta|Burfordi holly]], chosen because they were native to northeast Florida or were introduced by Spanish settlers in the 16th century.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/USACH00489/00001/70|title=New Gardens for Ancient City: Private Walled Garden and Public Plaza Now Part of St. Augustine's Restoration|last=Noble|first=Mary|date=July 31, 1966|work=Florida Times-Union}}</ref>
== Dedication ceremonies ==
The Hispanic Garden Committee sought to have the Hispanic Garden completed by the city's quadricentennial celebrations of 1965. The garden was built purposefully next to the [[Marin-Hassett House]], a reconstruction of a [[History of Florida|First Spanish Period]] dwelling built on its original foundations. In the Marin-Hassett House, the Preservation Commission ran a Spanish Exhibition Center. The garden was not officially completed until 1967, but there was a dedication ceremony in 1965. Attendees included Senator [[Spessard Holland]], [[Secretary of the Interior]] [[Stewart Udall]], Ambassador Alfonso Merry del Val, Director General Angel Sagaz, and Governor [[W. Haydon Burns|Haydon Burns]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00091358/00046|title=Dedication Ceremony|website=ufdc.ufl.edu|language=en|access-date=2019-02-25}}</ref>


Sculptor [[Anna Hyatt Huntington]] created and donated a bronze sculpture of [[Isabella I of Castile|Queen Isabella]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00091358/00012/1x|title=A Royal Return: Queen Isabella statue reinstalled in downtown Hispanic Garden|last=Guinta|first=Peter|date=August 19, 2003|work=The St. Augustine Record|access-date=25 February 2019}}</ref>
In 1967 upon actual completion, Archbishop [[Joseph Patrick Hurley|Joseph Hurley]] and St. Augustine Mayor John Bailey attended another dedication ceremony and the archbishop blessed the garden.


== Quadricentennial and dedication ==
== Queen Isabella statue ==
[[File:Huntington Plaque.jpg|thumb|Anna Hyatt Huntington Plaque at the Hispanic Garden]]
Renowned sculptor [[Anna Hyatt Huntington]] donated a bronze sculpture of [[Isabella I of Castile|Queen Isabella]] to be placed in the center of the garden.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00091358/00012/1x|title=A Royal Return: Queen Isabella statue reinstalled in downtown Hispanic Garden|last=Guinta|first=Peter|date=August 19, 2003|work=The St. Augustine Record|access-date=25 February 2019}}</ref>
The Hispanic Garden Committee sought to have the Hispanic Garden completed by the city's 400th anniversary on September 8, 1965.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.staugustine.com/article/20150222/news/302229957|title=Where history lives: A piece of Spain in St. Augustine|last=MCCOY|first=KIMEKO|website=The St. Augustine Record|language=en|access-date=2019-02-26}}</ref> Though unfinished, the garden was dedicated on September 5, 1965, as part of the celebrations. The project was eventually completed two years later and was rededicated on May 2, 1967. Attendees included Senator [[Spessard Holland]], Senator [[George Smathers]], [[United States Secretary of the Interior|Secretary of the Interior]] [[Stewart Udall]], Ambassador Alfonso Merry del Val, Director-General of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs [[Ángel Sagaz Zubelzu]], and Governor [[W. Haydon Burns|Haydon Burns]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00091358/00046|title=Dedication Ceremony|website=ufdc.ufl.edu|language=en|access-date=2019-02-25}}</ref> At that time, the name was changed from Hispanic Garden to Hispanic Plaza.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Name Change Noted: Hispanic Plaza To Be Dedicated March 25|date=February 26, 1967|work=St. Augustine Record}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title='Hispanic Plaza' Opening Slated|date=February 24, 1967|work=The Florida Times-Union}}</ref> Archbishop [[Joseph Patrick Hurley|Joseph Hurley]] and St. Augustine Mayor John D. Bailey attended the ceremony.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00091358/00044|title=Hispanic garden dedication program|website=ufdc.ufl.edu|language=en|access-date=2019-02-26}}</ref>


== Twenty-first century ==
== Current use ==
[[File:Hispanic Garden Special Event.jpg|thumb|Special Event at the Hispanic Garden]]
Between 2000 and 2003, the bronze statue of Queen Isabella was removed from the Hispanic Garden while an archaeological dig was underway.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00091358/00009/1x|title=Hispanic gardens|website=ufdc.ufl.edu|language=en|access-date=2019-02-25}}</ref> The dig uncovered American Indian, British, Spanish, and American artifacts.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00091358/00001/1x|title=Hispanic garden to reopen, but…|website=ufdc.ufl.edu|language=en|access-date=2019-02-25}}</ref> There were talks at this time on building over the garden site.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00091358/00002/1x|title=Saving Hispanic gardens ain't like brain surgery|website=ufdc.ufl.edu|language=en|access-date=2019-02-25}}</ref> After 2003, a new fence was erected around the garden, addressing previous concerns of vandalism within the space.<ref name=":1" />
Between 2000 and 2003, the bronze statue of Queen Isabella was removed from the Hispanic Garden during an archaeological dig.<ref name="UF">{{Cite web|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00091358/00009/1x|title=Hispanic gardens|website=ufdc.ufl.edu|language=en|access-date=2019-02-25}}</ref> The dig uncovered American Indian, British, Spanish, and American artifacts.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00091358/00001/1x|title=Hispanic garden to reopen, but…|website=ufdc.ufl.edu|language=en|access-date=2019-02-25}}</ref> There were talks at this time on building over the garden site.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00091358/00002/1x|title=Saving Hispanic gardens ain't like brain surgery|website=ufdc.ufl.edu|language=en|access-date=2019-02-25}}</ref> After 2003, a new fence was erected around the garden, addressing previous concerns of vandalism within the space.<ref name=":1" /> The city of St. Augustine had not budgeted sufficient funds to complete the upkeep and restoration project of 2003. A local business owner, David Drysdale, donated necessary funds. The park is currently used for events such as the [http://www.oldestcityeaster.org/history.html St. Augustine Easter Week Festival] and knighting ceremonies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.staugustine.com/article/20130218/NEWS/302189978|title=Two knighted in ceremony at Queen Isabella Garden|website=The St. Augustine Record|language=en|access-date=2019-02-26}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 15:23, 18 August 2024

Hispanic Garden
Map
LocationSt. Augustine, Florida
Coordinates29°53′41.6″N 81°18′46.6″W / 29.894889°N 81.312944°W / 29.894889; -81.312944
Opened1965 (1965)
Owned bySt. Augustine Foundation, Inc.

The Hispanic Plaza is a garden in St. Augustine, Florida, owned and maintained by the St. Augustine Foundation, Inc. It is closed to the public and is only open for special city events. [citation needed]

History and design

[edit]

In the early 1960's, the St. Augustine Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission (later renamed the Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board) bought the plot of land between the Casa del Hidalgo, once a tourism office run by the Spanish Government,[1] and the Pan American Center to build a garden as a symbolic link between the shared Hispanic heritage of Spain, Latin America, and Florida.[2] Commission member Elizabeth Towers established and led the Hispanic Garden Committee in order to raise the $45,000 needed to complete the garden. The committee held a variety of fundraising events, including fashion shows, teas, and art auctions.[3] They also sold small items including jewelry, letter openers, key rings, coins, and paper bulls donated by the Spanish Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair.[4] Philanthropist, Great Floridian, and Florida Women's Hall of Fame inductee Jessie Ball duPont donated over $30,000 to the garden project.[5]

Landscape architects Lee Schmoll and Drusilla Gjoerloff were chosen to design the garden.[5] The design was inspired by plazoletas, classic Spanish gardens like ones seen at the Alhambra Palace. It was laid out in a trapezoid, measuring 76 by 82 feet. The arbor was decorated with Confederate jasmine and Cherokee roses to act as a shaded walkway and rest area. There was no grass in the garden in order to maintain a historically accurate appearance.[3] Plants included in the design were cabbage palms, kumquats, marigolds, yaupon holly, and Burfordi holly, chosen because they were native to northeast Florida or were introduced by Spanish settlers in the 16th century.[6]

Sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington created and donated a bronze sculpture of Queen Isabella.[7]

Quadricentennial and dedication

[edit]
Anna Hyatt Huntington Plaque at the Hispanic Garden

The Hispanic Garden Committee sought to have the Hispanic Garden completed by the city's 400th anniversary on September 8, 1965.[8] Though unfinished, the garden was dedicated on September 5, 1965, as part of the celebrations. The project was eventually completed two years later and was rededicated on May 2, 1967. Attendees included Senator Spessard Holland, Senator George Smathers, Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, Ambassador Alfonso Merry del Val, Director-General of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ángel Sagaz Zubelzu, and Governor Haydon Burns.[9] At that time, the name was changed from Hispanic Garden to Hispanic Plaza.[10][11] Archbishop Joseph Hurley and St. Augustine Mayor John D. Bailey attended the ceremony.[12]

Current use

[edit]
Special Event at the Hispanic Garden

Between 2000 and 2003, the bronze statue of Queen Isabella was removed from the Hispanic Garden during an archaeological dig.[13] The dig uncovered American Indian, British, Spanish, and American artifacts.[14] There were talks at this time on building over the garden site.[15] After 2003, a new fence was erected around the garden, addressing previous concerns of vandalism within the space.[14] The city of St. Augustine had not budgeted sufficient funds to complete the upkeep and restoration project of 2003. A local business owner, David Drysdale, donated necessary funds. The park is currently used for events such as the St. Augustine Easter Week Festival and knighting ceremonies.[16]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Spain's Casa Del Hidalgo Dedicated". ufdc.ufl.edu. September 7, 1965. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  2. ^ "St. Augustine Quadricentennial Commission, 1963: 4 May-25 September | JFK Library". www.jfklibrary.org. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  3. ^ a b "Hispanic Garden Planned to Be Semi-Public Plaza". The St. Augustine Record.
  4. ^ "Hispanic Garden Plans Stress History, Upkeep". The Florida Times-Union. November 24, 1965.
  5. ^ a b "Looking Back: The Women Who Planted the Hispanic Garden on St. George Street » St. Augustine Social". St. Augustine Social. 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
  6. ^ Noble, Mary (July 31, 1966). "New Gardens for Ancient City: Private Walled Garden and Public Plaza Now Part of St. Augustine's Restoration". Florida Times-Union.
  7. ^ Guinta, Peter (August 19, 2003). "A Royal Return: Queen Isabella statue reinstalled in downtown Hispanic Garden". The St. Augustine Record. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  8. ^ MCCOY, KIMEKO. "Where history lives: A piece of Spain in St. Augustine". The St. Augustine Record. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  9. ^ "Dedication Ceremony". ufdc.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
  10. ^ "Name Change Noted: Hispanic Plaza To Be Dedicated March 25". St. Augustine Record. February 26, 1967.
  11. ^ "'Hispanic Plaza' Opening Slated". The Florida Times-Union. February 24, 1967.
  12. ^ "Hispanic garden dedication program". ufdc.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  13. ^ "Hispanic gardens". ufdc.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
  14. ^ a b "Hispanic garden to reopen, but…". ufdc.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
  15. ^ "Saving Hispanic gardens ain't like brain surgery". ufdc.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
  16. ^ "Two knighted in ceremony at Queen Isabella Garden". The St. Augustine Record. Retrieved 2019-02-26.