Step back into Fernandina's Golden Age for dinner at the Hoyt House

What might have been discussed around the dinner table in Fernandina Beach more than a century ago?

On October 6 at 6 p.m., the Amelia Island Museum of History invites you to find out at a very special Dinner Date with History: An Evening with Mr. & Mrs. Hoyt at the Hoyt House.

Limited to just 10 guests, this intimate evening will transport diners back to near the end of Fernandina's Golden Age, roughly 1912, when the city was bustling with commerce, tourism, new technology and rapid change.

Former España chef Roberto Pestana will prepare a special five-course dinner featuring ingredients and dishes inspired by the period, accompanied by thoughtfully selected wine pairings. And, of course, dinner wouldn't be complete without a little conversation.

What Were Locals Talking About?

Imagine sitting around the Hoyts' dinner table as some of the day's most exciting developments were unfolding.

At the turn of the century, the arrival of gasoline-powered engines was changing life on both land and water. In 1902, Mike Salvador is credited with helping develop the powered shrimping techniques and rigging that would transform the local shrimping industry and eventually spread far beyond Amelia Island.

By 1906, engines in the form of automobiles finally came to Fernandina. Amelia Island physician Dr. Theodore William Waas drove the island's first automobile, an Oldsmobile Curved-Dash runabout. With only one other automobile on the island, you might think traffic accidents would have been impossible — but apparently not! Waas reportedly managed to have a fender-bender with the island's only other car, driven by Flossie Reynard Borden, wife of Nathaniel Borden of Villa Las Palmas, when she backed out of her driveway as Waas traveled down Alachua Street.

Fernandina itself was changing, too. The Old Post Office was dedicated on Centre Street in 1912, and around the same period the Keystone Hotel opened at the corner of 8th and Centre Streets, where Pineland Bank stands today.

But change was also threatening Fernandina's position as one of Florida's premier destinations. Henry Flagler's expanding railroad was carrying more visitors south along Florida's coast, contributing to the gradual end of the city's Golden Age.

Dinner with Fred & Kate Hoyt

Fred W. Hoyt and his wife, Kate, built the Hoyt House in 1905. Fred served as president of the Bank of Fernandina and had previously operated a ship chandlery business with his partner, Jeffries, at 201 Centre Street.

As prominent members of the community, the Hoyts undoubtedly welcomed friends, neighbors and local business leaders into their home. One can only imagine the lively conversations that took place around their dinner table as Fernandina entered a new century.

On October 6, you'll have the opportunity to join Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt for a five-course dinner in their home and become part of the conversation yourself.

This special evening benefits the Amelia Island Museum of History.

Dinner Date with History: An Evening with Mr. & Mrs. Hoyt
Five-Course Dinner with Wine Pairings
October 6 | 6 p.m. The Hoyt House: 804 Atlantic Avenue (corner of 8th St.) Tickets: $250 per person
Limited to just 10 guests

Come with a friend — or come on your own and meet fellow history lovers over dinner. For an especially memorable evening, the entire dinner may also be reserved as a private party.

Tickets are on sale now through the Amelia Island Museum of History website under the Events tab. With only 10 seats available, advance reservations are required. Visit the museum’s website and click on the Events tab to order your tickets now.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of history, food, wine and conversation — and experience Fernandina's Golden Age from a seat at the Hoyts' dinner table.