For most of its history, the Colonial Quarter has been known as the Colonial Spanish Quarter. After an extensive multimillion-dollar renovation completed in three months, the site opened as the Colonial Quarter in March 2013.History of Colonial Spanish QuarterIn 1963 the Colonial Spanish Quarter was opened as a living museum depicting life in St Augustine in the 1740s. In the 1740s Spain ruled the area and St. Augustine was occupied mostly by persons born in Spain or of Spanish ancestry. This living history museum operated until fall 2011 on a 2acre site owned by the University of Florida and managed by the City of St. Augustine.Colonial Quarter Rebranding ProjectIn September 2012, Colonial Quarter LLC, owned by Pat Croce, who also owns the adjacent Pirate Soul Museum, and the University of Florida signed an agreement allowing Colonial Quarter LLC to operate the site.Work began on the site, renamed Colonial Quarter, dropping "Spanish" from the name. By November 2012 a sign outside the site announced the project would open in spring 2013, which it did on March 16, 2013.
"Take a captivating journey through centuries of St.Augustine, brought to breathtaking life at the Colonial Quarter—St.Augustine’s revitalized signature attraction in the heart of the downtown historic district.Experience 16th, 17th and 18th century life in the Nation’s Oldest City with interactive activities, living history demonstrations, immersive dioramas, and graphical stories that highlight St.Augustine’s layered and unbroken history."
