Built during the first Spanish Period, the Father O’Reilly House Museum is one of the oldest structures in St. Augustine; the Castillo de San Marcos being the only older building! Made of tabby and coquina this museum became the home of Father Miguel O’Reilly in 1785 when he purchased it. He was an Irish priest in the service of the Spanish crown and made this house a place of spirituality and education, preserving the old values.

The Father O’Reilly House was left to the Sisters of St. Joseph who preserve the museum today. Located on historic St. George Street this museum will take visitors back to the very beginnings of St Augustine. Opened to the public in 2003 the Father O’Reilly House has three main themes; first being the history of the house, the Catholic tradition kept alive since 1565, and the Sisters of St. Joseph who have maintained the historical house since 1866.

This museum is rich in history and can show guests exactly how Saint Augustine looked in the days of Father Miguel O’Reilly. There is a beautiful garden and six rooms in the house, all of which are open to the public. This impeccably preserved museum displays all the beauty and wonder St. Augustine held to its first visitors with artifacts from through out the years. From musical instruments the Sisters used to teach with, and old lesson plans, to papers documenting the history of its Catholic tradition, the Father O’Reilly House Museum offers a close up view of the purpose of the oldest city in our nation, St. Augustine.