"Dugout Canoes" Exhibit

The University of Florida's Historic St. Augustine project sponsors the current fascinating exhibit at Government House, "Dugout Canoes: Paddling Through the Americas." The free exhibit is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day through January 2017 at the Government House Museum on the west end of St. Augustine's Plaza de la Constitución.

This exhibit is based on an amazing archaeological find at Newnans Lake near Gainesville, FL, of 101 ancient dugout canoes. A drought in 2000 caused lake levels to drop sufficiently to expose the prehistoric canoes, which had been hidden for centuries. Samples that were taken from some 50 canoes before the drought ended and the rising lake waters covered the canoes again revealed that the canoes' ages ranged from 500 to 5,000 years old.

At this interactive exhibit, visitors can learn about how dugout canoes were used in North, Central, and South America. Featuring ancient artifacts, tools and videos, as well as models and life-size vessels, this exhibit (offered in English and Spanish is an in-depth tour of how life and travel in the Americas has been affected by the historical use of the dugout canoe and how the tradition remains alive today,.

The University of Florida Historic St. Augustine is charged with the preservation and interpretation of the city of St. Augustine's state-owned historic properties.  This exhibit replaces "First Colony: Our Spanish Origins," which occupied the Government House museum's rotating exhibit space for two years before moving on to Gainesville. "Dugout Canoes" continues through January 2017 at Government House, 48 King Street in St. Augustine. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission: Free

When? 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through January 2017.

Where? Government House is located at 48 King Street in St. Augustine, FL 32084.

Exhibit cover photo courtesy of the Florida Museum of Natural History. Gallery photos by Ryan Ropero.