C.F. Hamblin's General Store, Now the Oldest Store Museum Experience

 The Oldest Store Museum Experience recreates the original St. Augustine general store owned and operated by C.F. Hamblin in 1908. The contents of the museum were once Hamblin's own property. When he initially opened the general store, its primary purpose was to supply Henry Flagler with whatever goods he would need to move forward with his many construction projects, including the famed Ponce de Leon Hotel (which later became Flagler College).

The living history tour guides act the part of clerks and salesmen as they demonstrate the latest inventions for turn-of-the-century "modern" living - everything from unicycles to tonics to a goat-powered washing machine.

In an effort to protect, preserve, and catalog the massive amount of 19th and 20th century American memorabilia sitting there, the building housing all of it was purchased by Historic Tours of America.

A 5,000 square foot, climate-controlled facility was built to warehouse the items, with the first floor being used as the museum itself. It took four months to moved and catalog 3 1/2 stories worth of antiques and artifacts.

A turn-of-the-century general store was recreated with the original store counters, displays, and merchandise. The old warehouses were rebuilt using interiors from the original building.

The development of the new Oldest Store Museum Experience took over 3 years. Thousands of objects, artifacts, and antiques from St. Augustine's past are on display.

The collection features vintage farm equipment; clothing including collars, corsets, and "health underwear"; a grain thresher; all sorts of elixirs, including the ever-popular "worm syrup"; guns; dry goods; wagons; unusual gizmos; and electronic gadgets.

Oldest Store Museum Experience

161 San Marco Avenue

St. Augustine, FL  32084

904-829-3800