Tolomato Cemetery

 Tolomato Cemetery 

Located in St. Augustine, FL

Date of Visit: February 25, 2021

Upon a quick glance, the cemetery most certainly appears to be on the eerie side.  It's fenced in with a solid black cast-iron fence, and has large Spanish-moss filled trees.  This sentiment is created due to the fact that the site date backs to the 1700's, and that "there are at least 1,000 burials in the Parish records  and only 105 markers." The history is extremely diverse there, as it was a "final resting place for Spanish, Cuban, Greek, Minorcan, African, Irish, Haitian", among others.  In short, the Tolomato is full of countless stories about early St. Augustine.

Artifact One: Oldest Marked Grave

As depicted below, this grave belongs to "Elizabeth Forrester, a 16-year old from Pennsylvania who died while visiting Florida was buried at Tolomato in 1798."  On the tour, Elizabeth Gessner (president of Tolomato Preservation Association) stated that grave-robbers targeted this tomb, they were seeking jewelry.  Apparently the clothes at the time period would have been wool as well.  Although this isn't the first grave at the cemetery, it still shows just how old the site is.

Artifact Two: Venerable Fr. Felix Varela Mortuary Chapel

"Father Felix Varela of Cuba, was a renowned teacher at the Cathedral of Havana seminary and an outspoken defender of human rights", so this Mortuary Chapel was built in his honor by Cubans.  It is directly in the back of the cemetery, however, it's easily seen, as the main path leads directly towards it.

Exterior Photos

The photo on the left is taken from outside the cemetery, so the iron-fence can be displayed; adding to the eerie sentiment.  In the middle is the Tolomato Cemetery sign, followed by a large view of the site.

Images in Conversation with the Site

The image on the left is of the Old Burying Point Cemetery in Salem, Massachusetts.  Whereas the image on the left is of the Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia.  Like the Tolomato Cemetery, each of these have their own background.  The cemetery in Salem is the site where the victims of the Salem Witch Trials are buried, which is the most famous hysteria crisis.  The Bonaventure Cemetery consists of 160 acres, once being the Bonaventure Plantation.  Again, serving to be a pivotal part of our nations history.  Historic cemeteries may be eerie, but they hold so much history, it's truly mind-boggling.

Creative Element

This is the view of the cemetery soon as you step within its gates.  I found it to be a on the mysterious side, as it is one of the oldest cemeteries in town.  I felt that this quote went along with the historical aspect, as cemeteries/events of the past are compiled of stories.  As when living our lives, we're constantly writing and revising our own personal story.

Quote from ENG 202

"Everywhere on the land is the imprint of ruin, dead grass pressed into mud, and in hollow places leaf forms massed in decay." -The Surrounded D'Arcy McNickle 

This effectively illustrates the feeling of first stepping onto the grounds of a very old cemetery.  Subconsciously, we are aware of the hollowness, the supernatural essence of the site.  But in relation to The Surrounded, the depressive atmosphere was correlated to loss, to the inescapable grasp nature as a force has on us.  So both of these auras all relate back to nature - Tolomato is full of history and has sustained a great deal of hurricanes.  Hence, nature being the relentless force throughout time. 

St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine

 St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine, Located in St. Augustine, FL

Date of Visit: February 18th, 2021

The building may be small in size, but the amount of history within its walls makes up for it.  There's so much information ranging from Holy Communion articles to Bishop Vestments.  As the site states, "the institution is dedicated to the first colony of Greek people who came to America in 1768."  The shrine contains "exhibits [that] depict the life of early Greeks in America" along with the spread of the Church within the country.  Needless to say, there's history to be found in almost every corner!

Artifact One: Saint Photios Shrine 

As you can see, the shrine itself is breathtaking, the details will leave anyone breathless.  The story that is told through the paintings leaves the viewer awestruck.  St. Photios was a "theologian, a supporter of missionary activity and a defender of the Faith.  He was also known for his brilliance and for his missionary zeal" (stphotios.org). 

Artifact Two: Bishop Vestments 

The detail within this is astonishing.  The stitch work is so intricate - something that deserves recognition.  As the sign says, "the symbolism attached to each piece of clothing is from the Old Testament." That being said, a Bishop would be adorned with these items in a particular order: tunic, stole, maniples, genual, imperial robe, small omoforion, cross, engolpian, mitre, and then given the staff. 

Exterior Photos:

The door along with the sign are taken from directly outside the shrine, on St. George Street to be exact.  The center photo is of a small courtyard directly before you enter the shrine.

Images in Conversation with the Site

The first image shows the Vestments worn by Bishops, as above, I included just the Vestments themselves.  With them actually being worn, it allows us to see just how ornate they are.  The second photo is of a larger Greek Orthodox Church.  It really shows how much attention was put into the details, from the chandeliers to the magnificent artwork.

    Creative Element

This photo was taken from inside of the Shrine, right before you enter the museum part.  I found it to be quite beautiful with the tree branches slightly bending. I specifically chose this quote because I believe that members of the Greek Orthodox Church feel this way about Saint Photios or any other Saint.  These men were strong believers in their work so "the world turns aside" for them.

Quote from ENG 202

"He emerged from behind a clump of thorn-bush and cottonwood and caught his first glimpse of the cluster of buildings before him, he looked once, and that was all" -The Surrounded, D'Arcy McNickel.  

This embodies the experience when you first enter the shrine, as you emerge from a trail surrounded by looming trees and brush.  Then you face the Shrine itself, which is full of so many details, which could possible leave individuals breathless.  Nature has a way of creating a mystical atmosphere.  In The Surrounded, Archilde was continuously put into situations that were putting him into a state of awe emotionally.  As he was succumbed with the frailness of his mother, the instability of his father, and his society in general. 

St. Augustine's Oldest Houses

Oldest Houses in St. Augustine

Date of Visit: February 10, 2021

These houses weren't necessarily the same "site" - they're all separate due to the fact that each one has its own stories hidden within their walls.  Upon entering them, it's as if you've entered a new realm - in the 1700s to be exact.  Everywhere you look has a deeper meaning than just what meets the eye.  As these sites really enable you to imagine what life was like back then.  To read more about the homes, click here!

Site One: Llambias House

Located on 31 St. Francis Street

As the sign states, "this house was already [existent] in 1763, when Spain ceded Florida to Great Britain.  It was then a one-story, two-room, single roofed coquina stone" home.  This was considered to be the "typical St. Augustine residence design". The house has a beautiful outside while the interior holds the unseen history.  Llambias isn't generally open to the public, so its mystery only deepens.  A place like this should be open for all to see, as it's not on the "touristy" path, it would allow for people to venture further into the deep background of St. Augustine.  Being able to witness this building initiated a feeling like no other - being a part of the Spanish history of this small, yet significant town.

Site Two:  Gonzalez-Alvarez House

Located on 14 St. Francis Street

This is the "oldest house of St. Augustine" that usually comes to mind.  According to the National Park Service site, the Gonzalez-Alvarez House "is the oldest surviving Spanish colonial dwelling in St. Augustine."  It  also shows different style features ranging from "Spanish, British and American" due to whoever occupied the home at the time.  As depicted in the image on the right, the hanging shelf was used for the purpose of rats, as to know whether or not there were any in the house.  The shelf would then swing, instantly notifying the family.

Exterior Photos:

The photo on the left is of the entrance to the "oldest homes museum" with the Gonzalez-Alvarez house on the far right corner.  The second image is of the garden/courtyard behind all of the oldest homes.

Images in Conversation with the Site

I chose to incorporate the Paul Revere House and the Ernest Hemingway House as these demonstrate that old homes are preserved everywhere, not just in the "nation's oldest city."  I've actually been to the Paul Revere House, and it looks so ancient near the modern townhouses on the other side of it.  The Revere's stayed there in the late 1700s - early 1800s, and had a significant role to the beginnings of this country.  Comparable, the Hemingway House was lived in during the 1930s.  This site provides a different historical lens to view from, it's not as old but it's still important within today's culture/society.  No matter where any historical site is, we as a society take extra precautions in order to maintain them.

Creative Element

This photo is show earlier under the "exterior photos" tab, but I found it to be fitting here with the quote.  I chose this particular quote because the buildings at this site are the oldest in all of the town, but yet we still continue to look at them.  So, history isn't something we can necessarily claim.  History claims us by creating unique stories for each individual - we can't change the past. 

Quote from ENG 202

"He wondered at it.  And the more he reflected on it he more wonderful it grew.  A story like that, he realized, was full of meaning." -Surrounded, D'Arcy McNickel

Stories carry a great deal of weight throughout lifetimes, as they serve as the backbone for new foundations, new experiences to be made.  McNickel's quote is applicable to the Oldest Houses, as they store the most memories within them.  They've been through centuries, as some have been in existence since the 1700s.  In relation to the Surrounded, the memories that Archilde reflected upon was a pivotal moment in the novel.  As histories of others are pivotal to understanding how to shape events for the future. 

Historic Downtown St. Augustine

 Historic Downtown St. Augustine

Date of Visit: February 4, 2021

This visit was compiled of three separate locations: St. George Street, Hilton Hotel (on the Bayfront -former Monson Motel), and Wells Fargo (former Woolworth's).  All three of these hold information critical to the civil rights movement.  Ranging from Fredrick Douglass to acid being thrown on innocent integrationists.  If you want to know other historical landmarks in St. Augustine, click here!

Site One: Fredrick Douglass Marker

Located on St. George Street

As the plaque says, "where the Genovar Opera House once stood, Fredrick Douglass spoke in 1887."  This is such an important event to history because Douglass was essential to the "abolitionist cause in the late nineteenth century."  The marker itself is unfortunately easy to overlook since it's surrounded by the hustle and bustle of St. George Street.  The next time you're waiting for either Prohibition Kitchen or Pizza Time, take a look!

Site Two:  Hilton Hotel (former Monson Motel)

Located at 32 Avenida Menendez Street

This site is by far the most infamous.  The plaque displayed on the pool wall doesn't give much detail as to what actually happened.  The dark/hidden history here was "on June 18, 1964, a man by the name of James Brock poured acid in a pool where Black and White activists were protesting by swimming together to protest segregation."  The protest was organized by MLK and his team.  This "hidden history" isn't know to all of the public unless you've been informed about it.  To read more about it, click here.

Site Three: Wells Fargo (Former Woolworth's)

Located on King Street

This is where the famous "St. Augustine Four" got their name - they sat at a "whites-only lunch counter in 1963" and served jail time for it.  Having the counter return to the building is a great reminder to citizens of the dark past this nation has.  Thus, it serves as a way to ensure that the past must never be repeated.

To read the full article click here!

 Exterior Photos

Both of the images are of the Bayfront, one of St. Augustine's top photo locations.

Images in Conversation with the Site

The left is of the Cathedral Place in the early 1900s, while the right is of St. George Street in 1910.  I thought these were worth including because it shows how similar St. Augustine's architecture has remained; as this city is full of history in every corner.  Something that this site visit made clear - that history can never be fully erased despite what people may try.

Creative Element

I actually took this photo while on the Accord Freedom Trail, it overlooks central downtown St. Augustine.  I thought that is shows the beauty of the town from a distance - not just the "tourist" sites.  I chose this quote as it relates to all the Civil Rights movements - people were courageous, but fear was always a factor in mind.

Quote from ENG 202

"This was an era of rampant disease." -Kindred, Octavia Butler

This quote is applicable to the injustice so many individuals experienced throughout the Civil Rights Movement.  People quite literally went through an "era of rampant disease."  Society was not at its finest, it was essentially corrupt, succumbing to the "diseased" state of the world.  Something that the protagonist, Dana has to undergo within the Antebellum South - a world in a complete state of disarray.  It was as if she was living in another realm, emphasizing just how wicked mankind can be.