The Fountain of Youth Elks Lodge in St. Augustine has undergone a major rehabilitation, with city leaders and community members gathering this past week to celebrate the project's completion. Major funding for the effort came from an $891k award through the African American Cultural and Historical Grant, contributing to the $1.3M total cost of refurbishments. According to a recent announcement by the City of St. Augustine, the renovation embraced historic preservation while modernizing the structure with features including an elevator for ADA access and flood mitigation measures.
Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline was among the attendees and noted the city's commitment to safeguarding its historical spaces, stating, "Restoring significant places like the Elks Lodge is not only a testament to the City and CRA’s dedication to acknowledging the need for revitalization and preservation, but our dedication to stabilization and place-saving," her commitment underlining the importance of preserving such buildings not just for their physical stature but also for their storied place in the community and the cultural narratives they house. The celebration on Tuesday, which included a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, drew in luminaries like Ben Stevenson, George Greenhill, and city officials, as well as community directors and staff members.
The event also featured personal reflections on the lodge's significance; Jaime D. Perkins, the Community Service Director, shared fond memories of the Elks Lodge from her youth, and the impactful presence of Ms. Johnnie Mae Van, who recently turned 100 and had been a welcoming figure at the establishment's door for numerous attendees over the years. Perkins recollected an anecdotes from Ms. Cora Tyson who was present when the building's first brick was laid and expressed her admiration for the transformation seven decades later, "While completing our final walk through, I recall Ms. Cora Tyson remarking that she was here when the very first brick was laid for this building and how impressed she is with the complete renovations over 70 years later," Perkins told the City of St. Augustine.
The lodge, a cornerstone of the Lincolnville community known for its cultural heritage, has seen its famous jalousie windows repaired and mechanical and electrical systems updated improvements include the repair and repurposing of its famous jalousie windows, updates to all mechanical and electrical components, the installation of an elevator for ADA access, structural stabilization, and extensive interior and exterior painting, ensuring that the building remains a functional and welcoming space for future generations, as well as a tangible link to the area's rich past.
