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June 21 1963
(Dictated Sune 19)
Mrs. Robert H. Paul, Jr.
1840 Donald St.
Jacksonville 5, Florida
Dear Mrs. Pault
I would be very pleased to help the Board of the National Society of the
Colonial Dames in the State of Florida in any way I possibly could. You have in
your possession one of the most significant and best preserved of the historic
houses in St. Augustine. d'e would like to assist in any way possible to complete
the restoration and develop the most effective means of interpreting the struc-
ture. So if my presence on your committee can be of assistance, I should be
very pleased to join it.
I do agree that it would be particularly effective, from the point of
view of interpretation, to develop a store on the property, since this wasaan
important part of the original use. This is one of the most difficult things
to do, because of the extreme shortage of merchandise representing the period
of approximately 1800. It is not too hard to furnish a store of about 1900 (it
has just been done in St. Augustine), but to find the items listed on the in-
ventory of the store is going to be exceedingly difficult, and may be costly.
I realize that financing these ventures is a major problem, and this takes
time. We all have hopes for future developments on the property, including the
removal of the two houses to the rear, as well as the old Peiffer house, which
you mention. But all this does take time.
I'll be glad to meet with your committee at the Fatip House most any
time convenient to you.
Cordially,
EWN/mr
be: Mr. Murtagh Earle W. Newton
EKeoutive Director
^t e Natiornal ;odetv of
tlj (fTolonial Pames of 4\nterica
in It1 6tate of 1loriba
June 18, 1963
Mr. Earl Newton
St. Augustine Historical Restoration
and Preservation
46 St. George St.
St. Augustine, Florida
Dear Mr. Newton:
Last spring the Board of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of
America in the State of Florida were privileged to have Mr. Murtagh of
the National Trust for Historic Preservation come to visit our museum
house -- Fatio House in St. Augustine.
Although his visit was far too brief, he did give us several helpful
suggestions.
Many of us have felt we were on the "wrong track" and he agreed.
Rather than continue making mistakes, we want to set up a committee to
do more research and study on our fine old house, to develop the place
with more credit given to the original owner, Mr. Ximineas, and perhaps
even change the name of the house.
Mr. Murtagh suggested we ask you to be on this committee, as we all
feel you could give us a great deal of valuable help.
We had our annual meeting in May and have a new House Furnishings
Chairman, Mrs. Francis B. Childress, who is very anxious to get the
committee organized and working.
We will be happy to meet in St. Augustine where it would be more convenient
for you.
As you know, the Dames have a very limited amount of money available,
but we would like to develop the museum room and if possible set up a
little store, using the inventory we have on hand.
z[e National Joziet of
htIe coloniall Pames of (.merica
in ctHe tate of Aloriba
Mr. Earl Newton
- Page Two -
June 18, 1963
We cannot make any structural changes at this time, but we are
considering taking down the old Pheiffer House and incorporating
that land in our Fatio garden.
Hoping to have a favorable reply from you soon, I remain
Sincerely yours,
Barbara C. Paul
President
BCP:jt
Mrs. Robert H. Paul, Jr.
1840 Donald St.
Jacksonville 5, Florida
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