Evening Walkabout St. Augustine
The Historic Peña-Peck House
Built circa 1750 by order of King Ferdinand VI for Royal Spanish Treasurer Juan Estevan de Peña, and occupied by the Peck family descendants until 1931, the Peña-Peck House is among the oldest colonial buildings in St. Augustine.
The native coquina stone house was built for Spanish Royal Treasurer Juan Estevan de Peña and his wife Maria Antonia Adrisola. The Peña’s 14-year “love affair” with their home abruptly ended in 1763 when Spain ceded Florida to Great Britain, in exchange for Havana in the Treaty of Paris.
Twenty-one years of British occupation followed as the house became the home to two governors. Acting governor John Moultrie used it as his “townhouse,” and governor Patrick Tonyn and his family lived there for nine years.
When Spain reacquired Florida in another Treaty of Paris in 1783, the Second Spanish Period began (1763-1821). During this time, Francisco Xavier Sanchez, a St. Augustine native of Spanish descent, an American Patriot during the Revolutionary War, and Florida’s first cattle rancher, bought the house in 1791. His widow Maria del Carmen Hill Sanchez and her heirs owned it until 1821.
Dr. Seth Peck moved to St. Augustine in 1833, brought his family here in 1834 and purchased the house in 1837. It was Dr. Seth Peck and his family who made it the presence it is today in this historic city. The second story wooden addition created more living space for Seth and his family. A new office for Dr. Peck and a general store shared space on the first floor with a formal dining room and a “modern kitchen.”
His descendants lived here until 1931 when Peck’s granddaughter, Anna Gardner Burt, the last owner died and left her house, furnishings, priceless antiques and artwork in a trust to the city. She was explicit in her will that it be “maintained as an example of the old ante-bellum homes of the South.” The city almost declined her gift because of the loss of future property taxes.
The Woman’s Exchange entered into an agreement with the city of St. Augustine in 1932 to maintain, manage and agreed to show the home. The Woman’s Exchange opened the house for tours May 1, 1932, the same day the Woman’s Exchange Gift Shop, formerly located in the Alcazar Hotel, also began operating in its new home.
Evening Walkabout St. Augustine
The Historic Peña-Peck House
Built circa 1750 by order of King Ferdinand VI for Royal Spanish Treasurer Juan Estevan de Peña, and occupied by the Peck family descendants until 1931, the Peña-Peck House is among the oldest colonial buildings in St. Augustine.
The native coquina stone house was built for Spanish Royal Treasurer Juan Estevan de Peña and his wife Maria Antonia Adrisola. The Peña’s 14-year “love affair” with their home abruptly ended in 1763 when Spain ceded Florida to Great Britain, in exchange for Havana in the Treaty of Paris.
Twenty-one years of British occupation followed as the house became the home to two governors. Acting governor John Moultrie used it as his “townhouse,” and governor Patrick Tonyn and his family lived there for nine years.
When Spain reacquired Florida in another Treaty of Paris in 1783, the Second Spanish Period began (1763-1821). During this time, Francisco Xavier Sanchez, a St. Augustine native of Spanish descent, an American Patriot during the Revolutionary War, and Florida’s first cattle rancher, bought the house in 1791. His widow Maria del Carmen Hill Sanchez and her heirs owned it until 1821.
Dr. Seth Peck moved to St. Augustine in 1833, brought his family here in 1834 and purchased the house in 1837. It was Dr. Seth Peck and his family who made it the presence it is today in this historic city. The second story wooden addition created more living space for Seth and his family. A new office for Dr. Peck and a general store shared space on the first floor with a formal dining room and a “modern kitchen.”
His descendants lived here until 1931 when Peck’s granddaughter, Anna Gardner Burt, the last owner died and left her house, furnishings, priceless antiques and artwork in a trust to the city. She was explicit in her will that it be “maintained as an example of the old ante-bellum homes of the South.” The city almost declined her gift because of the loss of future property taxes.
The Woman’s Exchange entered into an agreement with the city of St. Augustine in 1932 to maintain, manage and agreed to show the home. The Woman’s Exchange opened the house for tours May 1, 1932, the same day the Woman’s Exchange Gift Shop, formerly located in the Alcazar Hotel, also began operating in its new home.