Historic Tours of Flagler College

Explore the Legacy of Henry Flagler’s Gilded Age Masterpiece

Step inside one of St. Augustine’s most iconic landmarks — Flagler College, the former Hotel Ponce de Leon — and experience more than 130 years of history, art, and architectural splendor. Guided by knowledgeable student tour leaders, our historic tours bring to life the stories, people, and craftsmanship that shaped this National Historic Landmark.

Tour Overview

Originally opened in 1888 as the opulent Hotel Ponce de Leon, this architectural masterpiece was envisioned by industrialist Henry M. Flagler as the crown jewel of Florida’s Gilded Age resorts. Today, it serves as both an active college campus and a living historic site.

Historic Tours of Flagler College focus on the building’s public and ceremonial spaces, taking place exclusively on the ground floor of the former hotel. The tour does not include access to current student residence halls or dorm rooms.

Tour Highlights

Guests will explore several of the most celebrated spaces of the former hotel, including:

The Rotunda – Featuring a soaring 68-foot domed ceiling supported by hand-carved oak caryatids
The Courtyard – Highlighting Spanish Renaissance architecture and innovative 19th-century design
The Dining Hall – Home to one of the largest collections of Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass windows in the world
The Flagler Room – Once the Women’s Grand Parlor, showcasing elegant chandeliers and period details

Throughout the tour, student guides share stories of Henry Flagler, notable guests, technological innovations, and the building’s transformation from a luxury hotel to a modern-day college.

Tour Details

Location: Main Lobby Rotunda, 74 King Street, St. Augustine
Duration: Approximately 45–60 minutes
Access: Ground floor of the former Hotel Ponce de Leon only
Please Note: As Flagler College is an active campus, tour routes may vary

New Exhibits: History Brought to Life

Historic Tours of Flagler College now include access to a series of newly installed interpretive exhibits located throughout the Rotunda and Courtyard. These additions enhance the tour experience by blending traditional storytelling with interactive and immersive elements.

Exhibit highlights include:

Interactive Digital Portraits – Historic figures portrayed by local actors, sharing first-person perspectives from the hotel’s past
Stained Glass Design Experience – A hands-on station where guests can create their own Tiffany-inspired stained glass design while learning about 19th-century craftsmanship
Discovery Drawers & Artifact Displays – Tactile learning moments featuring reproduction objects and interpretive prompts
Historic Image Projections – Visual storytelling that reveals how the building and its spaces have evolved over time
Courtyard Installations – Including a bronze statue of Henry Flagler and interpretive panels tracing the courtyard’s transformation

These exhibits allow visitors to engage with history at their own pace while deepening their understanding of the Ponce de Leon’s cultural and architectural significance.

Plan Your Visit

Historic Tours of Flagler College offer a unique opportunity to explore one of America’s great Gilded Age landmarks — where history begins and continues every day.

Tours are open to the public and are ideal for visitors interested in architecture, history, art, and St. Augustine’s role in shaping Florida’s development.

For current tour times, availability, and ticket information, please visit the Historic Tours of Flagler College website.

Historic Tours of Flagler College