The Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP) team from the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum recently won First Place Theme in the Regatta of Lights holiday boat parade. The annual event was hosted by the Saint Augustine Yacht Club on December 14.
LAMP archaeologists decorated the Empire Defender, their research vessel, with thousands of lights that depicted multiple sea creatures. The idea came from a Facebook theme contest. “Dangers from the Deep was inspired by the history of the sea and old cartography (maps) of sea creatures,” explained Nicholas Budsberg, Archaeology Administrative Director.
LAMP has conducted ongoing research projects since 1999. The current research goal of the St. Augustine Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP) is to better understand and share the founding story of the oldest port city in the United States, a story of national and international significance. Above all things, the story of our region is a story about the sea. It begins with France and Spain vying for control of the region in the late 16th century, which led to the founding of the City of St. Augustine. Our research aims to shed light on how this colonial conflict led to the founding not only of a city, but of a nation and a global society still in the making. We also study how that city has been able to sustain itself continually across the centuries and the impacts that our seaside and riverine geography had on our unique culture and heritage.
For more details about the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, visit staugustinelighthouse.org or call 904-829-0745.