Kenneth Worcester Dow, circa 2001, in the Prince Murat House courtyard

MR. DOW'S LEGACY (1911 - 2002)

A member of St. Augustine's community for more than sixty years, Kenneth Worcester Dow was native to Michigan. The only child of a prosperous real estate and lumber family, Mr. Dow developed an early appreciation for historic homes and furnishings.

In 1940, Mr. Dow set out to make St. Augustine his permanent residence with the purchase of the Prince Murat House. By 1950, Mr. Dow owned all nine historic houses on this block. Acting as a landlord, Mr. Dow rented several apartments in the houses for over thirty years. These occupants contributed to the colorful history of this block and St. Augustine.

The courtyard of the Murat House looking through the Spanish gates.

While not in St. Augustine, Mr. Dow spent time at his other properties in Rockport, Massachussetts or traveled internationally while all the time actively pursuing antiques and other pieces to add to his collection.

A sincere proponent of the preservation of historic buildings and antiques, Mr. Dow was one of the initial members of the preservation movement in St. Augustine. Together, with his wife Mary Mohan Dow, the couple actively supported the early preservation and arts movement in the community.

In 1989, Mr. Dow donated the city block of historic houses in St. Augustine as well as his fine collection of antiques, art, and family heirlooms to the Museum of Arts and Sciences, Inc., Daytona Beach. The work of creating a historic house museum complex from Mr. Dow's gift continues as a legacy to Kenneth and Mary's wonderful contribution.

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