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20th Century Florida

For much of the century, the U.S. government maintained Government House as a post office and custom house. In 1936, the building underwent major renovations. It continued to operate as a government building until the U.S. transferred the property to the State of Florida in 1966. Leading up to the 400th Anniversary of the founding of the city in 1965, St. Augustine became a focal point for the Civil Rights movement. The efforts of African American community leaders ultimately attracted national leaders, including Martin Luther King, Jr., to the city in 1964. The demonstrators selected the symbolic Old Slave Market in the Plaza, adjacent to Government House, as the site of many marches and protests.