07 Sep Downton Abbey Costumes at St Augustine Lightner Museum
Fans of the television series Downton Abbey won’t want to miss the exhibit coming to St. Augustine’s Lightner Museum from October 4, 2017 to January 7, 2018. Dressing Downton, Changing Fashion for Changing Times will display 36 costumes, accessories, and jewelry from Seasons 1-4 among vignettes created from Otto Lightner’s collection of turn of the century furnishings and fine art. These costumes exemplify the changing fashions from 1912, prior to WWI, through the mid-1920s, and reflect the great social changes occurring at the time. Some of the costumes incorporate details preserved from original antique clothing, while others are have been carefully created to reflect the period. Display panels with each costume include details about the design as well as context of daily life that helped shape fashions.
Visitors on the museum tour will see fashions that range from the Dowager Countess of Grantham’s green beaded evening gown and purple ‘day’ dress to Lady Sybil’s nurse’s uniform. The Earl and Countess of Grantham are dressed most property in cream linen for the Flower Show in Season I, while Lady Mary’s red satin Spanish evening dress marks her scandalous night with the Turkish diplomat. The chauffeur, footman, and maid model some of the uniforms worn when in service, and the military dress of both officers and enlisted men are represented.
You can complement your Dressing Downton experience with Upstairs/Downstairs at the Alcazar, a tour of the Alcazar Hotel. Had family members from Downton visited Florida a century ago, they might have chosen to stay at The Alcazar; the current tour highlights what life was like for both hotel guests and staff during that era. Some areas of the Museum typically closed to the public are included on this tour. You can complete your visit by taking Afternoon Tea at Cafe’ Alcazar. You’ll be transported back in time while you enjoy tea, pastries, and sandwiches in the Historic Pool area of the Museum, and imagine your favorite members of the Downton cast are nearby.
Saint Augustine hosts the exhibit for thirteen weeks from October 4, 2017, to January 7, 2018, so there’s plenty of opportunity to plan your visit. Casa de Solana is just a five minute walk from the Lightner Museum and Alcazar Hotel, so it’s the perfect hotel choice for seeing Dressing Downton and enjoying all that historic St. Augustine offers. St. Augustine is the exhibit’s last stop in the U.S., and the tour often sells out, so don’t delay booking your stay with us. As the Dowager Countess of Grantham observed: “One is not given many chances in life and if you miss them, they may not necessarily be repeated.”
Dressing Downton, Changing Fashion for Changing Times Tour
October 4, 2017 – January 7, 2018
Location: Lightner Museum’s Grand Ballroom Gallery
Time: Hourly from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, reservations required
Entrance to the museum and the Dressing Downton™ exhibition are included in the ticket cost:
Adults: $19.99
Active Military, College Students & Seniors 65+ : $14.99
Children 12-17 years: $9.99 Children under 12 are free
Note: the ticket tour time is for Dressing Downton exhibition . Patrons may enter the Lightner Museum at any time during the day.
Museum hours: Sunday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm, Friday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Upstairs/Downstairs at the Alcazar Tour
Times: Hourly from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Tickets: $45 per person (not recommended for children); reservations required
Afternoon Tea at Cafe’ Alcazar
Times: Sunday – Thursday, 3 pm and 4 pm; Friday – Saturday, 2 pm
Tickets: $55.00 per person, reservations are required. Phone: 904-825-9948
NOTE: Tickets for all three activities may be purchased individually online.