Housed in one of the oldest standing colonial buildings in Florida, the St. Augustine Free Public Library was once the residence of British Captain, Henry Skinner in 1769 as well as Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith in 1887.

[3] St. Francis Inn property owner John L. Wilson and his wife Frances were instrumental in the formation of the public library system in St. Augustine.

Frances Wilson started working on her project to open a library in 1870 "so that all might have the opportunity of reading and obtaining knowledge.

[5] After they purchased the Segui-Kirby Smith House on Aviles Street, the library followed and was officially relocated in 1895.

[5] When the St. Augustine Library Association was first formed on April 25, 1874, no books of sectarian or political nature were to be purchased, but would be accepted if they were donated.