Villa Zorayda Museum

05/22/2026

Step into another part of the world right here in St. Augustine at Villa Zorayda Museum.

In 1891, The Decorator and Furnisher praised Franklin W. Smith for creating a home “so unique and beautiful on American soil,” transporting visitors through its rich Moorish-inspired design, grand central courtyard, and treasures reminiscent of the great "Alcázars of the East". More than a century later, Villa Zorayda still offers guests the feeling of stepping into another world—without ever leaving St. Augustine.

VISIT FLORIDA

05/17/2026

During the Gilded Age, Franklin Smith and Henry Flagler reshaped the architectural and cultural landscape of St. Augustine. In little more than a decade, homes, churches, and grand hotels transformed the Nation’s Oldest City into one of America’s premier winter destinations.

Smith's introduction of his innovative poured-concrete construction, first tested at Villa Zorayda, quickly spread throughout St. Augustine. His Moorish and Spanish inspired architectural vision, paired with this innovative building method, sparked an architectural transformation. By the late nineteenth century, poured concrete had become the preferred building technique, shaping the city’s distinctive architecture for generations.

Determined to make St. Augustine the “Newport of the South,” Flagler relied on Smith as a trusted advisor for his St Augustine projects. Smith purchased land for Flagler, coordinated construction logistics and supply deliveries, supervised work crews, and trained architects and builders in poured-concrete techniques.

Building America: The Life and Vision of Franklin W. Smith
📍 Villa Zorayda Museum
📅 On exhibit May 6th – September 30th, 2026
🎟️ Included with General Admission
📷 View from Smith's Hotel Granada of Villa Zorayda gardens with Hotel Ponce de Leon and Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church in the background. The Standard Guide ca. 1891.

05/15/2026

Today we honor Olga Balesh Mussallem on her Birthday. Olga was one of the most important and influential woman to the Villa Zorayda story. Olga was a Lebanese immigrant born on May 15, 1905. She was the wife of Abraham S Mussallem, and mother to Edward and Wallace Mussallem.
After her husband's passing in 1941, Olga was left with quite the workload. All while finishing raising her two boys, she worked tirelessly to handle her husband's estate, and the continued operations of both the Villa Zorayda Museum and the then Granada Hotel (destroyed by fire in 1954). Olga's efforts to keep the Villa Zorayda Museum open to the public, paved a path for her two boys to take over operations after their service in WWII. Her passion and dedication to the Villa Zorayda story is very evident throughout the museum. Without her contributions, the Villa Zorayda Museum would not exist today. She ultimately passed away on February 24th, 1959, but not before she ensured the Villa Zorayda legacy.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day 💐

The Villa Zorayda Museum will be closed on Mother’s Day so our staff may spend time celebrating with their families.

We wish all mothers a beautiful, restful day and look forward to welcoming you back on Monday.

Pictured: Olga Mussallem with her two sons, Wallace (left) and Edward (right). The Mussallem family purchased the Villa Zorayda in 1913, opened it as a museum in 1933, and has proudly carried on its legacy for more than a century of family ownership.

05/09/2026

In a 1910 letter to Franklin Smith’s son, George, Thomas Edison reflected on Franklin Smith’s legacy and his forward-thinking approach to concrete construction:

“I remember your father and his remarkable work. He was the first man to my knowledge to erect any important building by methods now used all over the world.” —Thomas Edison

Building America: The Life and Vision of Franklin W. Smith
📍 Villa Zorayda Museum
📅 On exhibit May 6th – September 30th, 2026
🎟️ Included with General Admission

📷Smith's Villa Zorayda and Hotel Casa Monica in the background: Image purchased from Florida Memory Archives

05/05/2026

Building America: The Life and Vision of Franklin W. Smith

Discover the bold ideas and grand designs of Franklin Webster Smith in the years of the Civil War and Gilded Age. An American reformer, early abolitionist, author, architectural enthusiast and visionary builder, Smith believed architecture had the power to shape society and inspire progress.

In 1883, he constructed Villa Zorayda, introducing his innovative poured-concrete techniques, influenced by ancient civilizations. The result was a landmark of Gilded Age ingenuity that forever transformed St. Augustine’s architectural identity.

This special exhibition explores Smith’s life, his revolutionary ideas, and his vision for America.

📍 Villa Zorayda Museum
📅 On exhibit May 6th – September 30th, 2026
🎟️ Included with General Admission

A Grand Gilded Age Museum attraction in St. Augustine, Florida. Built in Moorish Revival Architecture in 1883 by Franklin Smith.

04/14/2026

The Villa Zorayda Museum will be closed Wednesday, April 15th, 2026 for necessary repairs. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you back the following day. Thank you for your support!

04/05/2026

Wishing you a joyful day filled with peace, renewal, and time well spent with those you love. Happy Easter!

04/01/2026

ONE DAY ONLY…Villa Zorayda Museum is rolling the dice 🎲

✨ Welcome to the Villa Zorayda Casino ✨
Step inside for high stakes, historic vibes, and a very lucky day.

💰 Winnings paid in… priceless artifacts?

April Fools! Don’t worry, we’re still your favorite museum — no bets required. Come enjoy the real history behind the magic.

03/28/2026

Look closely.
Built in 1883, the Villa Zorayda reveals an early experiment in concrete construction and global design. From the balcony area, visitors can view Franklin Webster Smith’s vision—blending Old World inspiration with early concrete innovation.