Parks & Travel Magazine - Apr/May 2018

It includes such eclectic pieces as a mummy, shrunken heads, human hair art, cigar labels, salt and pepper shakers, Tiffany glass, porcelain, fine art paintings, furniture and sculpture. A recent special exhibition, “Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times,” was a crowd favorite at the museum. The costumes came from the wildly popular British period drama, The hotel became a museum in 1948 when Otto “Downton Abbey,” an award-winning series that Lightner purchased it. Lightner was a collector, was recognized for its outstanding costume who believed “everyone should have a hobby” design, among other distinctions. The exhibition and “everyone should collect something.” When explored fashions in Britain between 1912, the Chicago mansions were put up for sale during year the Titanic sank, and the early 1920s, the the 1930s, he had the opportunity to buy dawn of the Jazz Age. By showing period treasures for low prices. Soon his possessions costumes in historical context, visitors were able outgrew his Chicago museum-home. While in to see the progression of style in the country.

Florida for health reasons, Lightner noticed the Thirty-six costumes and accessories (both those vacant Alcazar Hotel and decided to buy it as a worn by the aristocratic inhabitants of the show showcase for his collections. and those of their servants) were paired to The museum consists of several galleries on four perfection within engaging vignettes, immersed amid pieces of Lightner’s collection. It was a floors, with displays of artwork, antiques and masterful presentation of costume history curios from the 19th century. Lightner’s surrounding WWI, an era that changed the social collection is impressive and extensive. fabric of Great Britain.

PAGE 22 Across the street is the Lightner Museum, once the grand Alcazar Hotel of the Gilded Age, another of Flagler’s projects. This property featured the largest indoor swimming pool at the time, a grand ballroom, sulfur baths, a steam room, massage parlor, tennis courts, bowling alley and gymnasium.