Founded in 1934, the JSL has been one of the quiet powerhouses of St. Johns County for over 90 years — a dedicated group of women who have channeled more than a million dollars into local causes, from restoring the St. Augustine Lighthouse to supporting Children’s Home Society. Their Annual Charity Gala is one of the most anticipated events on the Saint Augustine social calendar, and the 2015 masquerade-themed evening at the Lightner Museum was no exception.

The Lightner is no stranger to a spectacular event. Built by Henry Flagler and opened on Christmas Day, 1888, the Hotel Alcazar was designed by celebrated architects Carrère and Hastings in the Spanish Renaissance Revival style — one of the first large multistory concrete buildings in the United States. The grand Casino featured a stunning ballroom, the largest indoor swimming pool in the country at the time, sulfur baths, and a bowling alley. It became the Lightner Museum in 1948, and its breathtaking spaces continue to set the scene for some of the city’s most memorable evenings.

The masquerade gala was exactly that — feathered masks, formal wear, and a room full of people who clearly came ready to dance.

#OldCityMagazine #OldCity #SaintAugustine #StAugustine #EventsStAugustine #AnnualCharityGala #MasqueradeAtTheAlcazar #JuniorServiceLeague #JSLofSA #LightnerMuseum #AlcazarHotel #HenryFlagler #FlaglerLegacy #StAugustineEvents #StAugustineHistory #GildedAge #CharityGala #MasqueradeBall #StAugustineFL #PhotosByYvetteMonell #OldCityMagazinePhotography #HistoricStAugustine #StJohnsCounty #NationsOldestCity #FloridaHistory