2014 Distinguished Service Awards Recipients Harriet Stieff & Viola Goldberg attend the Annual Meeting 2017
Annual Meeting & Elections
Arbor Day 2017
A Good Day For Trees
As Americans planted trees from one end of this country to the other in observance of National Arbor Day (April 28), Sarasota did its part by giving trees to various organizations at official tree-planting events. Arbor Day began in Nebraska in 1872 and quickly took root across the United States. Sarasota enthusiastically participates.
The Historical Society of Sarasota County was one of the groups honored. From the welcoming front porch of the historic Bidwell-Wood House (1882) located in Pioneer Park at 1260 12th Street, Mayor Willie Shaw read the official city proclamation noting how valuable trees are to the environment. Vice President of the Historical Society, Marsha Fottler, accepted a lovely white-flowering Geiger tree that is now in the members garden of the Historical Society.
Volunteers at the Society started the garden five years ago with grant from the Founders Garden Club and it is maintained by members who volunteer on the Landscape Committee. The Historical Society garden surrounds both the Bidwell-Wood House and the Crocker Memorial Church (1901). The extensive garden is Florida friendly and includes a wide brick path and window-box gardens, as well as benches for relaxing.
Marsha Fottler, HSOSC Vice President with representatives of the Parks & Rec and Forestry Divisions
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April Converstations at The Crocker
Manatee Village Courthouse
This community event, organized by the Historical Society of Sarasota County, takes place on Tuesday, April 11 starting at 7 p.m. at the Crocker Memorial Church, 1260 12th Street (Pioneer Park), Sarasota. The event is free to students and to members of the Historical Society; $10 for guests. Proceeds help to maintain the Bidwell-Wood House (1882) and the Crocker Memorial Church (1901). Tours of both vintage structures are available an hour before the start of the program.
Participants in the small museums program are: Cathy Slusser, Director of Historical Resources, Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court; Diane Ingram, Museum Supervisor, Manatee County Agricultural Museum; Mandy Polson, Museum Supervisor, Palmetto Historical Park; Phaedra Carter, Museum Supervisor, Manatee Village Historical Park and Kristin Sweeting, Museum Supervisor, Florida Maritime Museum, which is in Cortez. Sarasota was originally part of Manatee County, which extended from the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Okeechobee, was 60 miles wide north and south, and contained 5,000 square miles. Sarasota County was created in 1921.
The conversation among these museum professionals about their museums and the impact they have on community residents and Florida tourism will be augmented by a PowerPoint program that will transport the audience to each of these heritage sites. Question and answer period too.
For more information about this Historical Society outreach program, contact Linda Garcia, Site Manager at 941-364-9076.
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2017 Oral History Project Reception
Join us at the Sainer Pavilion at New College on Thursday February 2m 2016 at 6:30 for a Reception and Screening of the Oral History Project.
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Member Holiday Party!
Dark and foggy outside while a bright and happy crowd of HSOSC members celebrated inside the Crocker Memorial Church and the Bidwell-Wood House. Attendees enjoyed the company of other like minded historians….food and drink….and live holiday music by local musician Sal Garcia.
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John McCarthy & Brenda Lee Hickman on their 25th Cruise
On Sunday November 20 the HSOSC hosted their 29th Historical Cruise on LeBarge with narrator John McCarthy and organizer Brenda Lee Hickman both on their 25th cruise in photo above with Captain Don. The LeBarge offers HSOSC the town’s favorite floating history lesson and a great way to enjoy cruising on Sarasota Bay. The next cruise sets sail on Sunday March 5, 2017 – call the office for reservations. All proceeds help maintain historic properties at Pioneer Park and promote history education and programming.
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November 2016 Conversations at the Crocker
Hero of History Jeff LaHurd
History author indulges his nostalgia for the way things were
Popular author Jeff LaHurd presents an illustrated program on Sarasota’s “charming”past at the Crocker Memorial Church. A community event organized by the Historical Society of Sarasota County
The author of 15 books about the history of Sarasota and Florida and a child of Sarasota since 1950, Jeff LaHurd comes to the Crocker Memorial Church on Tuesday, November 15 to present an illustrated program that is half history and half nostalgia when he takes a loving look at Sarasota’s not too distant past. The fun starts at 7 p.m. Historical Society members, free; guests, $10. All proceeds go to maintaining the Bidwell-Wood House (1882) and the Crocker Memorial Church (1901), both located at 1260 12th Street (Pioneer Park), one half block off N. Tamiami Trail at 12th Street.
If you know practically nothing about Sarasota history, this event will be an eye-opener. If you think you are pretty well versed in how and why this sleepy little fishing village and sunny small-town refuge from northern winters evolved, you may be surprised by what you’ll learn from Jeff LaHurd’s amusing and timely perspective.
“When Arvida first announced that they were coming to Sarasota in 1959,” said LaHurd, “they indicated, ‘Very few places have one iota of the charm of Sarasota,’ so my presentation is a look at the places many long-time residents remember when “charm” not “overdevelopment” was the operative word.”
This Historical Society event is part of Conversations at The Crocker, a series of interactive conversations about the people, places and events that have influenced the growth and development of Sarasota County. President of the Historical Society is Howard Rosenthal. Co-chairs of Conversations at The Crocker are Lynn Harding and Marsha Fottler.
Jeff LaHurd is a two-time winner of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation’s Individual Distinguished Service Award and he is a recipient of the Hero of History Award, presented by the Historical Society of Sarasota County. He is regular contributor to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune daily newspaper and he is a contributor to STYLE Magazine. A speaker known for his humorous take on some aspects of local history,
is a sought-after speaker and whenever he appears at Conversations at The Crocker, it’s a sold-out house for the Historical Society, where he is a Life Member.
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November LeBarge Historical Cruise Rescheduled
Norma Kwenski, Volunteer Extraordinaire, grabs the catbird seat on LeBarge, next to our commentator, always-captivating John McCarthy, one of Sarasota’s leading historians.
Our 29th Historical LeBarge Cruise was postponed two weeks due to mechanical repairs being done to the boat. We are rescheduled for Sunday November 20 – same time same station!! Sunday morning cruise from 11a – 1p. We had to do some rearrangements for guests that could not make the date change and we now have a few more spaces available. The VIP tickets are $75 (includes early boarding with two drink coupons and a thank you gift) and regular tickets are $50. Please call the office at 941-364-9076 if you would like to join us for our fall LeBarge cruise.
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Take THAT, mosquitoes.
Many folks, when they’re visiting the Historical Society, want to know how people managed to live in southern Florida before air-conditioning “and with all the mosquitoes.”
Well, being surrounded by piney woods and sea breezes rather than concrete and semis made it a lot cooler… and just maybe, they had some concoctions to deter mosquitoes?
On eattheweeds.com:
There are three chemicals in the leaves scientists are trying to replicate for mosquito repellent. They may be as effective as DEET, according to researchers with the USDA. The chemicals, particularly one called callicarpenal, showed significant bite-deterring activity against the yellow-fever mosquito and the mosquito that spreads malaria. Callicarpenal and other compounds isolated from the plant also repelled… ticks.
Check out the article for a modern-day mosquito repellent recipe and even a recipe for Beauty Berry Jelly! PS Have you ever noticed how all native-plant jellies around here call for LOTS of sugar?
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Join us at our Ring the Bell party!
Will you be participating in #GivingChallenge16? We sure hope so…
“We”, in this case, being not just your Board at the Historical Society, but the great folks over at GuitarSarasota.org as well.
Not only will GS be giving free mini-concerts/lectures in the Crocker Memorial Church this coming season but we are partnering for the Community Foundation’s popular 2016 Giving Challenge on September 20-21 from noon to noon.
“Our organizations’ partnership is the perfect example of non-profit collaboration and includes a multifaceted new non-profit partnership,” says Thomas Koch of GS. “And, joining forces for the 2016 Giving Challenge gives both organizations the exciting opportunity to engage our boards and cross-promote to both organizations’ supporters,” he says.
Linda Garcia, Site Manager of HSoSC, is equally pleased by the new partnership. “We have a creative campaign planned that was born out of a good old fashioned brainstorming session between both organizations. I love it when collaboration results in creativity,” she says.
One of the creative ideas when we brainstormed was that sometimes, people want to donate, but the online, credit-card-only structure of Giving Challenge is, well, a bit challenging. The solution to that obstacle? Throw a party and have ambassadors available to make supporters’ donations for them!
So! We’re throwing a “Ring The Bell Party” on September 20, 2016 from 4-7pm.
Everyone who donates gets to ring the bell, our newest addition to our campus… and we’ll even, if you like, take a photo of you doing so!
The bell, normally off-limits to freelance ringing, will ring out your support of either or both nonprofits.
There will be ambassadors from both organizations to assist attendees in donating online, in “real-time”, to the 2016 Giving Challenge. Remember that your donation will be matched or even tripled by The Patterson Foundation so your generosity will be truly effective for both groups.
So much going on Tuesday, September 20 from 4-7pm
- Crocker Memorial Church and the Bidwell-Wood House, 1260 12th Street in Sarasota’s Pioneer Park
- Tour the Crocker Memorial Church (1901) and the Bidwell-Wood House (1882) as well as our ever-growing gardens in Pioneer Park
- enjoy live classical guitar music by Thomas Koch
- dance to live music by Sal Garcia, founder of OMNI
- ambassadors available to assist you in donating online, real-time, to the #Giving Challenge16
- watch as our historic demonstrators weave fabric and create boondoggles
- complimentary refreshments
- donations generously matched by The Patterson Foundation, 1:1 or even 2:1, making your contribution doubly or triply more valuable!
- historical cast-iron church steeple bell on display
- photo station for your social media fun!
- donors are invited to #BeTheOne and Ring The Bell to celebrate their participation in supporting these two non-profit organizations
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Spiffing up for Season at the Historical Society
In the lull between our Annual Meeting in May and the beginning of Conversations at the Crocker in October, you might think the Bidwell-Wood House and the Crocker Memorial Church slumber in the heat. Not so! We’ve been organizing three wonderful events, two of which are BRAND NEW, and one a returning favorite.
Well sure, it’s hot, but that doesn’t stop volunteer gardens overseer, Sue Padden, and site manager Linda Garcia, from plotting the… well, the plot: our native plantings, herb garden, and flower pots and boxes.
A sure way to beat the heat of the summer is to play in the sprinkler… err, wield the pressure hose and clean off the access ramp to our campus.
Thanks to our volunteers and a gift from the parents of a Crocker bride, our plantings look better every season, don’t they?
And the House has a new coat of paint, the decks a protective sealant. And wait until you try out the new park benches in our front yard!
If you’ve entered the Crocker from our ramp, you know how user-UNfriendly that step right there was… well, we’ve had a “stage-ectomy” as Linda calls it: it’s no longer a feat to maneuver in, as these folks had to do at our Annual meeting!
We thank our members, Conversations attendees, and donors for the funds that let us keep improving these historic buildings for contemporary use…
and we look forward to seeing your name on the list of #GivingChallenge16 donors on Sept. 20 and 21, so we can continue to make the Historical Society a true gem in Pioneer Park! Here’s info on how your contribution will be doubled or even TRIPLED!
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#BeTheOne: You can preserve history!
Lost: The Bispham-Wilson Home stood until recently near the corner of Tamiami Trail and Proctor Road. The Bispham Dairy served the Sarasota area for 65 years. Razed 2014-2015. More.
Lost: El Vernona Hotel> John Ringling Hotel> John Ringling Towers. Built in the 1920s as the El Vernona Hotel by Owens Burns, and named after his wife, Vernona, the hotel was the center of glamour and activity in Sarasota. Razed 1998. More.
Saved: The Bidwell-Wood House was built in 1882. It is now revitalized as the centerpiece of the Historical Society of Sarasota County, located in its new home in Pioneer Park at 1260 12th Street, Sarasota.
Saved: Crocker Memorial Church, whose predecessor was built in 1901 as a place of worship and gathering spot, continues into the 21st century repurposed as a community amenity next to the Bidwell-Wood House in Pioneer Park.
You too can #BeTheOne to help preserve our county history, by participating in the upcoming Giving Challenge 2016.
If you miss the Giving Challenge, we always welcome your membership and participation in the Society.
Photo credits: Bispham-Wilson Historic District, By Ebyabe – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11911031
El Vernona Hotel> John Ringling Hotel> John Ringling Towers, as seen on SarasotaHistoryAlive.com
Bidwell-Wood House, Greg Wilson Photography
Crocker Memorial Church, Historical Society Archive
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The heavens are smiling on our new season!
L to R: Deborah Bowers, Kate Holmes, Linda Garcia, Brenda Lee Hickman, Marsha Fottler, Lynn Harding, Diane Esthus, Meade Ferguson, Marie Rowe. Behind the camera: Terrance Leaser
The heavens were shining upon the Historical Society of Sarasota County’s Pioneer Park campus when our Events Committee met to plan an active, engaging 2016-2017 season for our members and guests. We can’t WAIT to show off our newly-freshened Bidwell-Wood House (1882) and Crocker Memorial Church (1901) to everyone!
In addition to our monthly Conversations at the Crocker events (which are often SRO!) on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, our Welcome Back Reception for members in October, our Members’ Holiday Gala in December and of course, the never-to-be-missed Annual Meeting & Potluck in May, we have to present to the community:
- Our Trolley Tours of Historic Downtown Sarasota (Sept 17 and March 11 are already sold out, so get your reservations in!);
- Our traditional Historic Sarasota Bay Cruise on the LeBarge, narrated by the talented John McCarthy (Reservations coming in fast, and space is getting limited, so claim your seat now!);
- A Private Tour of Ca’ d’ Zan hosted by Keeper of the House Ron McCarty, with lunch (Members only event, reservations now being accepted for this intimate event);
- And Artists in the Park on Sunday in collaboration with Light Chasers Plein Air Artists (keep an eye on our Calendar for more info as this develops!)
Also, we’re having three opportunities for you to participate, donate, and re-house some wonderful possessions. We’d love for you to donate, shop, and spread the word to the community in general about:
- The Pop-Up History Book Swap: Available at every Conversation at the Crocker, and probably a few other places as well
- Our popular and anticipated Bi-Annual Designer Tag Sale on Saturday November 12
- and our newest partnership, Sparkling Saturday, a gently-used, heirloom and estate costume jewelry sale with Jewelry to the Rescue on Saturday November 26.
As you can imagine, there are volunteer tasks and jobs aplenty! Call our Site Manager, Linda Garcia, at 941-364-9076, or email her at hsosc1@gmail.com, and she’ll help you match up your interests and availabilities with some fun way to help HSoSC keep on shining!
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Exciting New Events This Fall
We’re excited about 3 events this fall (well, we’re excited about them ALL, but especially these):
Our new pop-up History Book Swap* will be an added attraction at our Conversations at the Crocker meetings (we all love to expand our knowledge of history!)
And thanks to our never-say-die volunteers, the Designer Tag Sale* returns on Saturday Nov. 12: all sorts of wonderful home and garden embellishments, just in time to refresh your home for the holidays.
Plus, on Thanksgiving weekend, a great shopping opportunity: Sparkling Saturday*, featuring gently-used, unique, and estate costume jewelry for your browsing and gifting pleasure. Starting at $3, these treasures will be here for just one day, Saturday November 26. So gather your Thanksgiving visitors, and come on down!
Now, I’m sure you know that pretty darn soon we’ll be asking you to participate in #GivingChallenge16 where your online monetary donation to us will be doubled or even tripled (trebled? I think that’s the historic word!) during the 24-hour window Sept 20-21.
But right now, these hot August days are a good time to stay indoors, de-clutter, and donate your underloved but wonderful stuff to help our volunteers raise funds!
Here’s what we can turn into income for ongoing expenses: (And remember, you can ask Linda for a tax receipt if you need one.)
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- Pass on, and find new-to-you. history books at every Conversation at the Crocker
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- Decorative home decor items
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- Costume jewelry of all sorts
1- Have spare or duplicate books and booklets on Sarasota County, regional, or state history? Donate for our NEW pop-up book shop, debuting at Conversations this fall. Drop them off anytime.
2- The Designer Tag Sale comes back Saturday November 12! Home decor items would be wonderful. If you’d give it as a gift, we’d love to have it! Since these donations take up space we don’t have, if you could put them aside to bring in in late October/ early November, that would help so much!
3- Go through your jewelry! We’re having the jewelry sale to end all jewelry sales, Sparkling Saturday, on Saturday November 26 (that’s Thanksgiving Saturday.) Drop off anytime. Guy jewelry too. Yes, even broken jewelry will be helpful. Note: Your donation of costume jewelry gets you a FREE PASS to the sale (a $5 value!) Get a friend to fill a baggie or two with her unworn sparklies, and get free passes for BOTH of you!
Inviting friends, neighbors, coworkers and fellow residents to our events and sales is a gift you can give the Historical Society for free, without even de-cluttering! Imagine if we could introduce the Historical Society to two or three times the audience we now have!
*All three events need volunteer help before and during. Give Linda a call or an email about your availability and what you’d have fun doing. 941-364-9076 or hsosc1@gmail.com
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Summer Heats Up and Members Step Up!
Summer Heats Up & our Members Step Up!!!
Many thanks to our members who have stepped up this summer to help the Historical Society of Sarasota County.
Sue Padden has volunteered to head up the landscaping committee and has planted our herb garden – she comes often to check on “her garden”. She has also elected to do a monthly donation to HSOSC with our pay pal monthly donation key on our website. Please join her in this by checking the button on the website. This is a tremendous help with the funding for the maintenance and upkeep for the two historic gems in Pioneer Park – the Bidwell-Wood House (1882) and the Crocker Memorial Church (1901).
Paul Morrisroe volunteered his time and labor to repair the irrigation systems sprinkler heads and connections. This is a great help for the maintenance of the yards.
Jon Moore located an antique church bell at the Helm Vault company and coaxed them into making a donation to HSOSC.
We thank him and Jack Helm and are looking forward to our “Ring the Bell” party in September (details coming: stay tuned!).
Gloria Nepstead has stepped up to replace Margret Bering as our volunteer plant lady taking care of the flower boxes on the front porch of both the church and the house.
The Historical Society of Sarasota County 