About Beyond the Fort
I grew up in the story of America.
I grew up around St. Augustine.
For most of my life, the history of this city was simply the backdrop to everyday life. The old streets were familiar. The buildings were places I passed all the time. The Castillo was just part of the landscape.
But as I began studying and teaching U.S. history, I started to see St. Augustine differently. I realized that I had grown up in a city where you can see the story of America unfold right in front of you.
The arrival of the Spanish. Indigenous history and cultures. Colonization. Slavery. Wars and revolutions. The struggle for independence. Immigration. Expansion. Civil rights. Tourism and the transformation of modern Florida.
So much of the history I teach in a classroom exists right here in the city where I grew up. And once I saw those connections, I couldn't stop looking for them. That's what inspired Beyond the Fort.
More Than a History Tour
A local who teaches history for a living.
I'm a born-and-raised St. Augustine local and a U.S. History teacher in the local school district. As a teacher, I've learned that history comes alive when you can connect the big events to real people and real places. That's exactly what I want to do here.
I don't want to simply give you dates, point out buildings, and send you on your way. I want to tell you the story of how this place became what it is, and help you see that story happening all around you. Because St. Augustine is one of those special places in the US where you can still walk through history.
Why Beyond the Fort?
The fort is only one chapter.
The Castillo de San Marcos is incredible. It's one of the most recognizable symbols of St. Augustine, and for good reason. But the fort is only one chapter.
The real story stretches far beyond its walls. It's in the streets, the homes, the churches, the waterfront, the businesses, and the people who have called this place home for more than 450 years.
I created Beyond the Fort to tell that bigger story. My tours follow St. Augustine chronologically, connecting the people, cultures, conflicts, and events that shaped the city. My goal isn't for you to memorize history. It's for you to understand it. And maybe, by the end of the tour, you'll start seeing St. Augustine the way I do — not just as the city I grew up in, but as a living piece of the American story.
Come See the Story for Yourself
Come curious. Walk with me.
Whether you're visiting St. Augustine for the first time or you've lived here for years, there is always another story waiting to be discovered. Go beyond the fort.
Included With Every Program
The standard is the same across every itinerary
Every program is designed with the same attention to research, preparation, and guest experience.
Local & Knowledgeable Guide
A born-and-raised St. Augustine local and U.S. History teacher leads every tour.
Chronological Storytelling
Follow the story in order — people, cultures, conflicts, and events that connect across more than 450 years.
Small-Group Walks
Approximately 1.5–2 hours and about 1–1.5 miles, with stops for stories and questions.
Conversations, Not Lectures
Ask questions, make connections, and discover the stories that make St. Augustine more than a beautiful place to visit.
The Experience
More than a walk. A story.
History Tours is designed to help guests understand the places they visit — not simply pass through them. Each route is researched, each guide is a subject specialist, and each program is built to spark curiosity and discovery.
Context
Every stop is situated in the wider story of the city — not isolated facts, but connected threads.
Architecture
Read the built environment: coquina walls, colonial plans, and the layers written over centuries.
Milestones
Sociocultural and historical milestones framed so guests understand why they matter today.
Local Stories
The people, places, and details that turn a route into something worth remembering.