The Maria Jefferson chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in St. Augustine, Florida honored Maria Andreu at their recent chapter meeting in March. Maria Andreu was a member of St. Augustine’s Minorcan community and the wife of St. Augustine Lighthouse Keeper Joseph Andreu, who was in charge of the first lighthouse in St. Augustine, the former coquina Spanish watchtower. Maria Andreu became Keeper in 1860 after the tragic death of her husband. She is recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard as the first Hispanic woman to serve in the service and the first to command a federal shore installation. The DAR invited two descendants of Maria Andreu to attend, Darien Andreu and Ann Browning Masters, along with Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program Director Chuck Meide, to accept the recognition award, which will be on view at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. #staugustine #lighthouse #staugustinelighthouse #womenshistorymonth #minorcanheritagemonth