- Historic Sites Government House Museum Since the late 16th
century, Government House, located at the west end of the Plaza
in downtown St. Augustine, has been a leading administrative
center for the City...The earliest documented building on the
Government House site was a residence built by Governor Gonzalo
Mendez de Canzo about 1598. The laying out of the town conformed
to a royal decree which stipulated that all Spanish towns must
have a central plaza. Buildings, such as the church, government
house and market were to face the Plaza...In recent years it has
undergone extensive renovation and restoration and now houses
the Government House Museum and offices of the Historic St.
Augustine Preservation Board.