The Museum “Where the Doctor is Always In” - We were in town for a long weekend and entered the Spanish Hospital Museum on Aviles Street to gather brochures for sightseeing ideas. Museum Manager, Celeste, was dressed in the colonial period, welcomed us to the museum and answered our typical tourist questions. We had not been to the museum before and decided to take a tour the next day. Tours are scheduled daily from 9-5 on the hour and half hour and last 40-45 minutes. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. We took the 12:30 tour with Jose. The museum promotes: 'fully guided interpretive experience of 18th century colonial medicine.' The museum is pet friendly; check out the Facebook page on Fridays for "Fur Fan Friday." Night tours are available. A gift shop is located at the rear of the museum where you will find handmade soaps, books, coffee mugs and St. Augustine souvenirs. Senior admission (age 60+): $14.95; adults: $16.95; children (ages 6-12): $6.95. Buy online and save. Use the promo code "booknow" and save $1 on each adult admission. Group admission rates are available for 15 or more. The museum is featured on page 11 of the Historical Sites section of the St. Augustine Sightseeing Map & Guide. The museum also offers gardens for relaxation. The Spanish Military Hospital was reconstructed in 1966 by the State of Florida to illustrate medical practices in the late 1700s. After the Spanish returned to St. Augustine in 1784 the building was converted to a new military hospital. Jose, also in period dress, was an amazing and knowledgeable guide. He is currently a researcher of Spanish and Caribbean history and translator for programs and exhibits displayed throughout the city. As the "Chief of Surgery" he demonstrated and taught us about the tools and surgical techniques common to the era for our small group of two senior couples. Many of the tools are used today, albeit with improved designs. The Spanish were years ahead of their time especially in surgical techniques. An important takeaway was that the biggest worry of infection came not from rifle balls but from embedded uniform fabric in the wound. Jose took us into the "Apothecary" and talked about the various medicines common in the period, specifically laudanum and valerian, used to calm the injured which is widely available today in supplement and tea form. He also demonstrated how colonial herbs were the origins of some popular medicines today. Think "Valium." We also visited the Morgue and learned about the expression of the word "wake." Once a soldier died, a “wake” was held in the same room. The expression "hosting a wake" comes from the practice of watching the body to ensure that the person did not "wake up." Since embalming and refrigeration had not yet been invented, the bodies were buried quickly. A chance stop to get tourist information resulted in an enjoyable and informative afternoon learning about the early medical practices in the U.S. Put the Spanish Hospital Museum on your list of attractions to see.

Really informative guided tour - Very informative tour. It is seated for most of the time, too. You go into the first room, and the guide tells about how the hospital came into existence. Talks about surgeries and such. Then the next room is about medicines and drugs. Then go outside to see the plants. It lasted about 40mins. There was a Groupon for bogo. That is definitely worth it.

Fantastic Experience - I bring 4 of my Peruvian Friends to Spanish Military Hospital , they enjoyed the all experience. Me as well . I experienced this several times .

Military Hospital excellent experience - The physician/surgeon reenactor, Jorge, was very knowledgeable and entertaining, taking a personal interest in his audience. Highly recommended.

Docent Led Tour - Interesting and informative little museum. Graphic descriptions of amputations may not be enjoyed by everyone. Loved the descriptions in the apothecary.

A good, quick, history lesson in medicine - Very impressed with this tiny tour. The young lady who did our tour was very knowledgeable in her information and sharing. Her descriptions of the amputations was enough to make anyone cringe but Moreno to think the tools she held in her hands, were the tools used back in the day. Although the hospital is tiny and the tour is completed in 2 rooms entirely, it was very informative and awesome to see the history lesson come to life. I live for gardening so to see and getting up close and personal with the medicine of yesterday's made my heart so very happy. There is definitely a heavy presence that follows you throughout St Augustine so you never feel alone but after learning about its history, it completely makes sense why. You enter into the tiny musuem up to the check in desk. Immediately pass that you enter into the musuem portion and can see a few different tools used back in the days on the wall to the left. The first room you come up to is the Terminally I'll room, where two wax figures are posed as chaplain and I'll patient. Outside the room is a framed description of what the room was used for. Next to that room is the doctors room with another wax figuring jotting down notes in his journal. When the tour begins you enter into a room with church pews in front of a table. On the table are old, relics of the past. Crude, rudimentary medical tools that were used to help save ill military members. In that same room are two cots as well. The next room was the pharmacist room and had a bookcase with herbs in jars on it. Behind the hospital is a tiny garden that butts up to the actual pharmacists house during the timeperiod. As I said, very informative and if you have about an hour to kill, I highly recommend this tour. For young kids, it'll bore them as there is nothing for them to touch or climb on. Better for those who are like 8 and up.

Healthcare history - I and my wife work in Healthcare and I am a history nerd!!! It was AMAZING to learn the history and where a lot of the things we take for granted come from. Jose was very knowledgeable and explained everything in great detai!!!

Fascinating tour - The narratives were interactive and well-paced. The artifacts that the museum displayed were fascinating. The curator was very knowledgeable.

Great - Really amazing presentation and informative. Was able to answer all of our questions, we only wish we had more time.

Great tour - Great tour very interesting and informative. Friendly staff our tour guide was very knowledgeable and seemed to enjoy interacting with guests. May not be for everyone but fit right in our interests as we are in EMS. Would return