Visitor Center entry from parking facility, Alfred Simson

ALFRED RICHARDSON SIMSON

SUGGESTIONS FOR HISTORICAL ART & A PERMANENT ENHANCEMENT

FOR THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE VISITORS INFORMATION CENTER

During 2009, Bill Adams, Director of the St. Augustine Trust for Historic Preservation, suggested I survey the interior

of the entrance hail of the St. Augustine Tourist Center in order to advise changes that would enhance the visitor

experience. During my recent visit there, ¡ found the entry to have the same commercial atmosphere that inspired my

thoughts for the enclosed sketch made in 2009.

This historic building, conceived to represent the city’s identity, deserves a prominent entrance for the decorum and

civic pride that this ancient city represents. Currently, the entrance corridor seems devoid of decoration excepting water

fountain, coin machine, commercial display, historic artifacts in frames which are not easily interpreted and mundane

furniture which dominates the entrance hallway.

My original thoughts for the building entrance conceived the majesty of period Spain in the ambiance of soft chandelier

lighting, jasper columns, wrought iron partitions, lanterns, marble flooring and benches, baroque mirrors, balustrade,

tapestries, coats of arms and grand scale oil canvas panels of relevant historic events in the city’s history to be placed on

the side walls of the second hallway area, perhaps enhanced by recordings of soft Spanish classic guitar.

The heraldic crest and wrought iron side decorations as seen in my sketch announce the second portion of the hail,

intersected by side building entries. The side walls of this section would contain facing 4x8 foot lighted oil canvases,

sided by flanking torcheres.

Continuing into what is now the large gift shop hall, would face a grand frontispiece partition, centered by a 3x5 foot

lighted oil canvas, “The Entrance of the Adelantado”, below a royal crest. The reception desk below, flanked by large

arched openings, leads to the exhibits areas (see sketch).

As many who discover the city’s history, I am intrigued with the change of flags that ruled over the city. In the four

panels above the hall that currently have dreary reproductions, I would suggest lighted oil canvases to relate to the

different periods of St. Augustine’s transitional history.

Note: my oil canvases, in researched period style, are painted in the period manner, separate from illustration or display

art, to be commissioned as a permanent legacy. My previous works, which have involved period architecture and battle

scenes, historic ships and burning cities, exemplify the drama that St. Augustine’s heritage conveys.

Considering the building’s architecture, the heritage of the city, and the importance of such knowledge, my thoughts

concern permanent formality for the main entrance. The frontispiece before the display area would be a magnificent

introduction for a centered historic painting.

As one might dress for a special occasion, the partition would provide a formal prelude to any exhibits featured.

Although much expense has already gone for exhibit and temporary display, community prestige warrants this

opportunity for the Visitors Information Center to preserve a lasting legacy for the city.

Alfred Richardson Símson

Entrance of the Adelantado, Alfred Simson