Christmas Trees… and AI?
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Christmas Trees… and AI?

A confluence, today, of an historic happening and how artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing our potential modes of learning.

I read an article (in between all the ads) about The Christmas Tree Boat Wreck of Chicago in 1912. Then I thought, well maybe our HSoSC fans don’t want to work their way through this piece, so I decided to try and see if AI could help.

First, here’s the article on the history, the shipwreck, and the new tradition of the Christmas Tree Boat.

Here’s AI recapping the article for you. There’s a weird little glitch in the middle where the female “narrator” reads the all caps message LOST HOPE FOR SHIP. SANTA CLAUS BOAT LOST letter by letter, but see what you think.

The U.S Coast Guard and youth volunteers unload 1,200 Christmas trees from the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw at Chicago’s Navy Pier in Dec 2017, an annual event commemorating Herman Schuenemann’s Christmas Tree Ship. D GUEST SMITH/ ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Christmas Past… and Christmas Future? Tell us in the comments your thoughts.

Where did the mince pie disappear to?
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Where did the mince pie disappear to?

If you follow HSoSC on Facebook, you may have seen my lament for mince pie at Thanksgiving.

I used to be able to find the Nonesuch filling in jars at Publix, but alas, the past few years, nothing.

A 1905 recipe. No, “modern” mincemeat doesn’t have meat or suet in it.

So when I came across a treasury of turn-of-the-last century (that’s 1898-1899 to us history-minded folks) Thanksgiving menus, I was pleased to see mince pie on nearly every one. I was beginning to think that such a pie was a figment of my imagination.

This menu was from the 1899 version of a fast-food place: the restaurant in the train station. So it’s much less elaborate than the hotel menus but it has prices to marvel at. Please note that the prices are in cents! not dollars as they would be now.

I hope your holiday feast was to your liking!

A treasure of history awaits us!
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A treasure of history awaits us!

Davis Islands in the ‘Twenties

Leave the driving to us (and the parking!) Take our Day Trip to Tampa History Center on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 and prepare to enjoy yourself hassle-free.

DAY TRIPPING WITH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SARASOTA COUNTY to
Tampa Bay History Center with host Brenda Lee Hickman
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 Our private charter bus boards at 8 AM and returns about 4 PM. Free parking at the Historical Society (1260 12th St., between Tamiami Trail and Cocoanut Avenue in Pioneer Park)
Cost: $99 (lunch on your own) Registration deadline is January 5, 2024.

12,000 years of Florida history

The History Center has 3 floors of permanent and temporary exhibition galleries focusing on 12,000 years of Florida’s history. Beginning with a look at the Florida’s earliest peoples, who inhabited the peninsula some 10,000 years ago, to the Seminole Wars and the arrival of European explorers in the 1500s, to Tampa Bay’s modern role as a port city, the industrial capital of west central Florida and a draw for tourists and visitors the world over, the History Center tells the story of Tampa Bay’s and Florida’s history, heritage, and culture.

Founded in 1989 by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, the History Center opened its new 60,000 square-foot facility on Tampa’s Riverwalk in 2009. The History Center was accredited in 2015 by the American Alliance of Museums and has been a Smithsonian Affiliate museum since 2012.

Look familiar? John Nolan’s plan for a Jacksonville neighborhood!

The History Center is also home to the Touchton Map Library / Florida Center for Cartographic Education. The only cartographic research center of its kind in the state, the TML/FCCE houses one of the most comprehensive collections of Florida cartography in the world, with holdings spanning five centuries.

Sangria for me, sangria for you…

We will enjoy a delicious lunch at the Columbia Café located inside the History Center, a branch of the world-famous Columbia Restaurant, featuring signature Spanish-Cuban cuisine. Lunch is on your own; choose from their amazing menu.

To make your reservations, call the HSOSC office Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at 941-364-9076 or email hsosc1@gmail.com The deadline to register is January 5, 2024.

Longing to visit a castle filled with art and oddities? Got Wednesday, January 17, 2024 free? Learn more>

What will you find inside this eccentric “Castle”?
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What will you find inside this eccentric “Castle”?

Go ahead, brag. After all, how many people have been to a castle made up of discarded aluminum printing plates? Take our Day Trip to Solomon’s Castle in the wilds of Florida and the experience will be yours!

DAY TRIPPING WITH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SARASOTA COUNTY to
SOLOMON’S CASTLE with host Brenda Lee HIckman
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Our private charter bus boards at 8:00 AM to 3:30 pm. Free parking at the Historical Society (1260 12th St., between Tamiami Trail and Cocoanut Avenue in Pioneer Park)
Fee: $109 (lunch on your own) Registration deadline is December 15, 2023

Wonders await you…

In the lush Florida woodlands is one man’s dream of paradise. A visit to Solomon’s Castle may be the most unique experience of your life. Visit the Solomon home, galleries, and workshop of internationally renowned artist, Howard Solomon. We will enjoy a docent led tour of the Castle. You may want to walk the beautiful nature trails over Horse Creek. Then, enjoy a delightful lunch, at the Boat in the Moat Restaurant.

You will enjoy 80 interpretive stained glass windows and countless metal sculptures in the castle. Their latest addition to the castle grounds is the foundering sailors and wayward cowboys. “Lily Life House” is their lighthouse by the Moat complete with stained glass windows and the adjacent pavilion. Following lunch, our tour will continue with Howard’s Encore Gallery of his car collection and his workshop with his tools.

Here are a few of the media that have told the story of Howard’s Castle: BBC, PBS, CNN, Spanish National TV, Animal Planet, Better Homes & Gardens Network, The Associated Press, Gannet publications, the Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, the St. Petersburg Times. The Miami Herald, and newspapers and magazines from around the world.

Don’t miss the one with the skull candlestick holder…

To make your reservations, call the HSOSC office Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at 941-364-9076 or email hsosc1@gmail.com The deadline to register is December 15 2023.

Would love to see the Tampa History Center but hate the whole traffic hassle? Come on our bus on Tuesday, February 6, 2024! Learn more>

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Murder and Mayhem in Manatee

An HSoSC Extra Presentation Wednesday, October 25, at 12 Noon

Young Pliny Reasoner of Manatee wrote to his parents UpNorth: “When a man can shoot another and cut his throat, in cold blood, and know that the law nor the people will neither of them care or do anything about it, you can imagine they get lawless, and not afraid of anything nor anybody.”

What happened? Find out…

Such was the reputation of the Sara Sota Vigilante Commitee, or, as the New York Times dubbed them, the Assassination Society. And just think: they planned the murder of the postmaster, Charles Abbe, in the parlor of the Bidwell-Wood House!

“…the removal of all obnoxious persons…”

Intrigued? There was more than one murder done the the Sarasota Region in the mid 1880s. In fact, up in the civilized towns of Manatee and Bradentown, Sara Sota was known to be full of lawless types.

Krystin Miner, Supervisor of Manatee Village Historical Park

Learn more from our guest, Krystin Miner, Supervisor of Manatee Village Historical Park. It’s a presentation of “disastrous proportions” and definitely, not to be missed!

Join us on Wednesday, October 25, at 12 Noon in the Crocker Memorial Church for Murder & Mayhem in Manatee: the Sarasota Vigilantes during the 1880s, presented by Manatee Village Historical Park. This event is free with a suggested donation to MVHP of $5.

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New to Sarasota… or just love it?

Dinner on the Back Porch, October 25 2011
The glorious view of Pioneer Park, wonderful nibbles and old & new friends on an October afternoon. What could be better?

Every year about this time, the Historical Society has a pleasant “Welcome Back” get-together on the back porch of the Bidwell-Wood House before the first Conversation at the Crocker*. It’s to welcome back members to our new season, of course, but it’s also to “Welcome for the First Time” those residents who spend the summer Up North and new Sarasotans.

The Sunday October 15 2023 Conversation* is in tune with

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One more historic building gone?

[Updated 3-30-24: See the latest email from the Alliance here. ]This post is inspired by the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, who are urging you to contact your city officials to make your opinion known on the McAlpin House.

Google screen shot of 1530 Cross Street this year.
The same 1912 building and its neighbors in 2007.

You may not know the role of Mr. McAlpin in Sarasota history. Chances are, you don’t drive down Cross Street (it stretches all the way from Pineapple to Osprey and is the 5th exit from a roundabout, easily missed), nor know about rusticated stonework. You may not be a city resident, or you may feel the tug of property rights. Perhaps a 1700-square-foot old house-turned-office surrounded by parking lots isn’t your idea of “history”.

But if you long to see a smidgen of our “pioneer” past remain, visit the SAHP website.

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A Fast Ride Through Time

A Sarasota History 101 presentation by Jon Stone kicks off a season of special events and programming organized by HSOSC at the historic Crocker Memorial Church 

When Jon Stone retired from his long career as a Sarasota-based architect, he found he had the free time to indulge his passion for history. From the time he was a schoolboy in Sarasota, Jon has been fascinated by local history and he began collecting items from the past — maps, post cards, photos — things that could bring him closer to understanding how people lived, worked, traveled, and spent their time long ago. 

Jon joined the board at HSOSC and is currently Treasurer, head of the Finance Committee and a member of Buildings and Grounds committee. He’s found like-minded, history-loving people at HSOSC and he’s found members that can help with his research questions as well as people who are eager to engage in long conversations about history. 

Over the past few months Jon Stone has put together a Sarasota History 101 presentation that he will share on October 15 at 2:45 p.m. at the Crocker Memorial Church. This event kicks off our HSOSC season of special events and public inter-active programming that illuminate people, places and happenings that have shaped Sarasota. Conversations at The Crocker is now in its second decade and a tradition at HSOSC.

Before Jon’s presentation, there will be a Welcome Back Reception on the back porch of the Bidwell-Wood House starting at 2 p.m. However, HSOSC will open its doors at 1:30 for those who’d like a tour of the Bidwell-Wood House or for those who just want a prime parking spot. Hope to see all you friends of history there. 

Conversation at the Crocker:  A Sarasota History 101 with Jon Stone

1260 12th Street, Sarasota (Pioneer Park)

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Jon Stone presentation of Sarasota History 101 starts at 2:45.

Welcome Back Wine & Cheese Reception on the back porch of the Bidwell-Wood House 2:00 p.m.

Doors open at 1:30 for those who would like a tour of the Bidwell-Wood House.

Members, free; Guests, $10 at the door.

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Diggin’ up the dirt….

Our Fall Yard Clean Up Day is Saturday October 7, 2023 from 9am til noon.

The Historical Society of Sarasota County had a Clean-Up Day
A spot of color in the shade, and a shady place to sit by the heliconia bed.

If you miss the garden you once had, if you’re curious as to how to groom your tropical plants, or just if you want to be out in the fresh air and join others digging in the dirt: You’re invited!

Bring your gloves and your gardening tools! Kids and grandkids welcome, too. They can learn how to care for the environment, heck how to weed… and when they get bored, there’s a playground right next to us in Pioneer Park.

Another way to be a part of history: If you have a cutting

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Are you a Purple People?

This quiz is from an older blog post, but it’s time to learn more about, pay more attention to, care more for our remaining historic buildings; we’re sure you agree.

In 1970, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall opened.

Designed by the late Frank Lloyd Wright’s firm, Taliesin Associates Architects, the building was called by its critics the “purple cow” or “purple people seater.”

How much do YOU know about the Van Wezel? Let’s see if you know the answers in our little quiz:

The Van Wezel was painted purple because

  1. Purple was a good foil to the turquoise waters of Sarasota Bay.
  2. Mr. Wright’s widow suggested it.
  3. Purple is the color of royalty, and Sarasota looked forward to the “royalty of performers” appearing in the theater.
  4. The paint was donated by a local paint dealer, and that’s the color he chose.

Why did the One Eyed One Horned Flying Purple People Eater come to Earth?

  1. His spaceship crashed in the Grand Canyon.
  2. He wanted to get a job in a rock-&-roll band.
  3. He craved a Starbuck’s every day.
  4. He liked short shorts.

The first Broadway show in the Van Wezel was

  1. Cactus Flower
  2. Fiddler on the Roof
  3. Guys and Dolls
  4. The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd

Who were Lewis and Eugenia Van Wezel?

  1. They built the first year-round residence on Lido Key.
  2. Lewis was a diamond buyer for Tiffany’s.
  3. Eugenia’s brother-in-law was Gustaf Nobel.
  4. They built a downtown building known as the Eugenic.

Answers: In each case, the correct answer is #2, except for the last. All the choices are correct about the Van Wezels! You will be awarded extra points if you pronounce Van Wezel as “Van Way-zel”, not “Van Weasel.”

Did you know? Tours of the Van Wezel backstage areas and the Fine Arts Society art collection are offered to the public once a month. More info.

And if you can’t remember all the lyrics of One Eyed One Horned Flying Purple People Eater, here it is on YouTube. Tequila.

Learn more: https://keepthevanwezel.com/

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National Lemon Day

Either it’s August 20 or August 29, but either way… what would we do without lemons. Here’s some historical facts about lemons, with a twist. (Get it? Got it. Good.)

*The origin of the lemon is unknown, though lemons are thought to have first grown in India, northern Myanmar, or China. A genomic study of the lemon indicated it was a hybrid between bitter orange (sour orange) and citron.

*The tradition of urinating

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