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Have a seat… thanks to philanthropy

HSoSC gets chairs for more seating at our Conversations at the Crocker in Sarasota!

They may not look like much to you, but they’re a dream come true for the Historical Society!

A grant from the Frances T. Bourne Fund at The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has provided for the purchase of chairs to expand our seating capacity in the Crocker Memorial Church (1901) and in the Bidwell-Wood House (1882). More seating for members meetings, for weddings, seminars, music and theatrical rehearsals, for local club meetings and for community-wide events, such as Conversations at The Crocker.

“We have never been able to accommodate as many people as come to our programs. ” said Site Manager Linda Garcia. “We use, of course, the original wooden pews made by early Sarasota settler Peter Crocker and the stackable chairs we already own, but we have had standing-room-only occasions and that led to our submitting a proposal to the Community Foundation. We are so grateful that they acknowledged our need and approved the funds for additional chairs. Our members and the whole community will benefit.”

The Historical Society of Sarasota County Vic-=President Marsha Fottlerworks hard, even in pink shorts!

Our Vice-President, Marsha Fottler, came dressed to work,  the day the chairs arrived via semi!

Besides serving the needs of the Historical Society, the Crocker Memorial Church building is available for rental and is equipped with a sound system, projector, black-out shades and now seating for 150. The historic structure is a popular destination for weddings and other celebratory events. The Historical Society considers the Crocker a model of adaptive use. Since 1901 it has been in constant use, first as a house of worship and now as a place that HSOSC and the Sarasota community use for a variety of programs and events. The Crocker has been preserved by being useful over a long span of time.

Funding for these chairs provided by the Frances T. Bourne Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

 

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What’s your treasure worth?

Expert appraisals at the Collecibles Celebration at the Historical Society of Sarasota County

The Historical Society of Sarasota County is presenting an appraisal clinic on Saturday, November 14, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Crocker Memorial Church, 1260 12th Street, Sarasota. The Crocker Memorial Church is in Pioneer Park one block in from N. Tamiami Trail at 12th Street.

 

People are invited to bring their treasures and have them appraised by certified professionals. The cost is Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday, Owen… and thanks from all of us!

Owen Burns, courtesy of scgov.net, on HSoSC blogIf you’ve even admired Burns Court, or visited Woman’s Exchange in a building built by Owens to house the local newspaper, or used the Historical Resources archives, much of which was donated by daughter Lillian Burns, or had the pleasure to meet his younger daughter Harriet Burns Stieff who holds a Distinguished Service Award for the Historical Society, you haveOwen Burns, born this day in 1869 in Fredericktown MD,  to thank.

October 31st is Owens Burns’s birthday. Raise a glass to someone who made Sarasota what it is!

“He came to Sarasota in 1910 and was a leader in practically every movement that saw Sarasota grow from a fishing village to one of Florida’s leading resort cities,” the [Herald-Tribune obituary] said in 1937, without hyperbole.

At one point, Burns owned 75% of what is now the City of Sarasota. Who built Cà d’Zan? Owen Burns. Who was a Commodore of the Sarasota Yacht Club? Owen Burns. Who built and named a hotel after his wife… whom he met when she was vacationing in Sarasota? You guessed it.  The influence of Owen Burns on our area cannot be overstated.

Wikipedia on Owen Burns

Video from Sarasota History Alive! about Owen Burns

Influence of Owen Burns on Sarasota FL, by the Historical Society of Sarasota County

Click for a larger version of this map, published in 2011 by owenburns.com

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Historic Treasures Lost and Preserved by Jeff LaHurd: Conversation at the Crocker

One of the threads that ties old Sarasota County to the new is the continuing struggle concerning which historical buildings and properties should be preserved and which ones demolished as a necessary sacrifice to progress, modernization and growth. Award-winning author and historian Jeff LaHurd considers both sides of the issue when he Continue reading →

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LeBarge, John McCarthy, and History: The Perfect Sunday

If you’ve never been on an Historical Society of Sarasota County Cruise, you need to. If you’ve been before, you know you need to experience it again!

On November 1, we’ll board, enjoy a little breakfast snack buffet, and marvel at the depth and breadth of John McCarthy’s knowledge of our area. We may cruise north, towards Ca d’Zan, or we may cruise south towards the marvelous bird sanctuaries. It all depends on the weather and our captain. But it will be bliss, I promise you!

UPDATE 10-18-15 SOLD OUT. We will be doing a Spring Cruise in early March, please email our office to receive advance notice when reservations open for that cruise.

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Miakka? Myakka? Learn which when and why at Conversation at the Crocker.

Conversations at The Crocker Opens 4th Season With the Story of the Myakka River

150928 lake myakka blog
The Miakka, the Myakka. It’s more than a river as Historical Society members and guests will discover during the season opener of Conversations at The Crocker on Tuesday, October 13 starting at 7 p.m. at the Crocker Memorial Church.
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Retired New College director of environmental sciences Jono Miller will lead a conversation on the topic “Myakka, More Than a River,” as he engages in conversation experts John McCarthy, Paula Benshoff and Chris Oliver. In addition, the 14-minute film “Moods of the Miakka” will be shown and discussed.
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Conversations are free to all HSOSC members and students. Guests, $10, payable at the door. There will be a members-only reception prior to the Conversation on the back porch of the Bidwell-Wood House starting at 5:30 p.m.  For more information, contact Linda Garcia, Site Manager, (941) 364-9076.
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This season’s Conversations. Save the dates!

Tuesday, October 13: Myakka, More Than A River. Jono Miller, John McCarthy, Chris Oliver and Paula Benshoff. Also the 14-minute film “Moods of Miakka.”
Tuesday, November 10: Sarasota Treasures Lost & Preserved. Jeff LaHurd.
Tuesday, January 12: A Fantastic Flock, the history of birds and birding on the Gulf Coast. Presentation by Jean Dubi of Audubon Society.
Tuesday, February 9: The Great Developers Past & Present. Harold Bubil.
Tuesday, March 8: Fascinating Florida. Janet Snyder Mathews and Marion Almay.
Tuesday, April 12: Historical Perspectives Through Local Museums. Curators from small specialty museums talk about the challenges and joys of preserving the history, culture and artifacts of past times.

Our complete Calendar of Events.

Photo Credit: B. Paul Patterson on http://www.sarasota.wateratlas.usf.edu/

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History lives on in antiques, art and collectibles

We’re so excited to present this FUN and FUND-RAISING event on our Pioneer Park campus. Gather up your personal pieces of history: four expert companies are donating the talents of their appraisers to assist us in this enjoyable way to raise funds for the oldest residence in Sarasota County and the Crocker Memorial Church. Every dollar goes directly to the Historical Society.

Admire treasures, collect some up for the future, and enjoy the natural ambiance of one of the prettiest parks in the county. You can even take a Trolley Tour of Historic Downtown Sarasota!* And don’t miss the Back Porch Treasure Trove, where collectibles old and new can become yours!

Historical Society's Antiques Art & Collectibles Fair

HSOSC is very excited to bring you our first Antiques, Art & Collectible Fair on Saturday November 14 from 10a to 4p.

Appraisers available from 11a to 2p courtesy of Appraisals and Sales by Julie McClure, Crissy Galleries, Elder’s Fine Art and Antiques, Garth’s Auctioneers & Appraisers.  Appraisals are $10 each or 3 for $25.

*An optional Historic Downtown Sarasota Trolley Tour, leaving at 10a and returning to the festivities at noon, is available, with advance reservations a must since seating is limited. Contact Linda, our Site Manager, at 941-364-9076 between 10a and 2p, Mondays thru Fridays.

Crafters and collectibles welcome you in the yard and food and drink will be available for purchase. Demonstrations and deals on the porches.

At noon, we honor those who have donated a brick to our walk, with the annual historic brick dedications ceremony. Pass the word and join us for the festivities!!!

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Put a “reserved” sign on your seat.

Reserve your spot on our tours & events at the Historical Society of Sarasota CountyThe Calendar is set and the reservation sheets are ready! Call the office to reserve your spots for fun events this season. Remember, events with limited seating sell out, so don’t be left high and dry, on the sidelines, behind…

Linda’s ready to take your reservations, so call her at 941-364-9076 between 10a and 2p Monday through Friday.

First up, our beloved 28th Historical LeBarge Cruise with John McCarthy is Sunday November 1, 2015 from 11am to 1pm.

Next, our traditional historical narrated Trolley Tours begin on Saturday November 14. Other dates are December 5 / January 9 / January 30 / February 20 / March 12 / April 2 / April 30.

NEW this season – “Artists in the Park” Sunday January 17, 2016 from 2p – 5p. OUTSIDE: Plein Air Painters from local chapter Light Chasers with paintings for sale off the easel. INSIDE: Local musicians led by Sal Garcia and Jack Dowd playing for your listening and dancing pleasure. Nibbles and beverages included. $20 and $15 for HSOSC members.

Click for details and to see and print the complete Calendar of Events

UPDATE FEBRUARY 2016: Every one of our space-limited events this season has sold out! While, of course, this helps the Society share Sarasota history with residents and visitors, we hate to disappoint folks. Rest assured that our next season, Oct 2016- May 2017, will be full of wonderful events. To be sure you get early notification of what’s available before the general public does, join our mailing list now.

Graphic borrowed with thanks from here.

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Too busy to join in on the Giving Challenge?

The Historical Society of Srasota County hopes you'll participate in The Giving Challenge in Sarasota County!The Giving Challenge is a wonderful opportunity for us all to join together in support of our favorite non-profits that make life so great here in Sarasota County.

And it’s nice to be part of the crowd… but what if you’ll be busy from noon on Tuesday Sept 1 to noon the next day, and unable to take the time to dig out your credit card, go online, find the link to HSoSC, and decide on a donation amount (tip: if you didn’t donate last year, your gift will be DOUBLED thanks to the Patterson Foundation so your gift means twice as much to the Historical Society!)?

The Historical Society' of Sarasota Countys Site ManagerAs usual, our charming Site Manager, Linda, can help you participate in the Giving Challenge! Just call our office at  941-364-9076 Tu-Fr 10 to 2, or email Linda directly 24/7 at HSoSC1@gmail.com and she can help you help us!

UPDATE: The link to go directly the HSoSC’s page in the Giving Challenge is https://www.givingpartnerchallenge.org/#npo/historical-society-of-sarasota-county It will only be operational between noon Tuesday Sept 1 and noon Weds, but you can bookmark it now!

We’re a part of Sarasota’s Premier Event, The Giving Challenge, Sept 1 & 2
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We’re a part of Sarasota’s Premier Event, The Giving Challenge, Sept 1 & 2

The Giving Challenge allows the Historical Society of Sarasota County to rise to new heights!

The Giving Challenge allows the Historical Society of Sarasota County to rise to new heights!

The Historical Society of Sarasota County, as an inaugural partner with the Giving Challenge, looks forward to your participation in the Giving Challenge, now in its fourth year. And this year, you don’t have to set your alarm to help HSoSC before dawn, because the Challenge runs from 24 hours, from Tuesday September 1 at 12 noon through Wednesday September 2 ending at 12noon.

UPDATE: The link to go directly the HSoSC’s page in the Giving Challenge is https://www.givingpartnerchallenge.org/#npo/historical-society-of-sarasota-county It will only be operational between noon Tuesday Sept 1 and noon Weds, but you can bookmark it now!

Did you miss us last year? If so, you can help us TWICE as much! The Patterson Foundation is Will you be busy during The Giving Challenge? You can still participate. Just call our Site Manager Linda at 941-364-9076 Tu-Fr 10 to 2, or email her 24/7 at HSoSC1@gmail.com and she can help you help us!
matching donations, up to $250 per new donor. Your donation, large or small, will be worth double the donation. If you’ve been a loyal supporter, we love you and your continuing participation, and would be thrilled if you would consider asking a family member, friend or neighbor to join us in this Challenge, letting them know how valuable their gift can be! New donors are donors who did not give to HSoSC in the 2014 Giving Challenge (May 6 & 7, 2014).

We will be posting the link for you to use during the Challenge.  It will not work until it is turned on at Noon on September 1, 2015.  Thanks so much for your past participation and we look forward to a generous family of friends and supporters during the event this year!!

Rather send a check? That’s lovely too, and will free you up from the time restrictions on Tuesday September 1 at 12 noon through Wednesday September 2 ending at 12noon.  Perfect solution if you’ll be traveling or otherwise occupied on those dates! The Society’s mailing address is  PO Box 1632, Sarasota FL 34230.

For more information, stay in touch here on the HSoSC blog, or contact Site Manager Linda Garcia at hsosc1@gmail.com or chat with her, 941-364-9076, Tues-Fri 10 to 2.

The 2015 Giving Challenge is made possible by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and The Patterson Foundation with support from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Manatee Community Foundation and the Herald-Tribune Media Group.

UPDATE: The link to go directly the HSoSC’s page in the Giving Challenge is https://www.givingpartnerchallenge.org/#npo/historical-society-of-sarasota-county It will only be operational between noon Tuesday Sept 1 and noon Weds, but you can bookmark it now!

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Old Greets New: Historical Society welcomes the Premiere Tour de SRQ

The oldest residence in Sarasota County was visited by the newest addition to our social scene, Tour de SRQ!

Jenny Townsend began her first Tour de SRQ series in May with a visit to the Historical Society in Pioneer Park.

As you can see, our Continue reading →

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3000 Years on Phillippi Creek

Sarasota Hidtory computer game developed by Prof. Uzi BaramJoin New College Professor Uzi Baram for an illustrated, historical lecture of our own Phillippi Creek!  At Gulf Gate Library on Monday, July 13 at 2:00. Here’s the info.

Illustration is of a computer game designed by Professor Baram to help teach local children about Sarasota history. Read more about that.

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Hero of History Award Presented; Distinguished Award Goes to Two

The Historical Society of Sarasota County was delighted to present awards to three recipients at its Annual Meeting.

2015 Hero of History Jeff LaHurd

Hero of History Jeff LaHurd

At its 2015 annual meeting on May 2 in the historic Crocker Memorial Church (1901), the Historical Society of Sarasota County presented three awards to community people who have made significant contributions to history education, preservation, research and programming.

Receiving the 2015 Hero of History award is Jeff LaHurd, historian, author and lecturer, who through his writings and public presentations continually educates the public about the history of Sarasota and Florida.

2015 Harriet Stieff Distinguished Service Award

Harriet Stieff Distinguished Service Award

Receiving awards for Distinguished Service were two Historical Society members with long records of service to the Society and to Sarasota County. They are: Viola Goldberg, a past president of the Historical Society and a current member of the Advisory Board and Harriet Burns Stieff, a past board member and current member of the Advisory Board. Mrs. Stieff is the youngest daughter of Owen Burns, a Sarasota history maker and one of Sarasota’s legendary early developers. Both of these women have been the subjects of video oral histories, and their memories about Sarasota in days gone by are available on CD in the library of the Historical Society.

Viola Goldberg Distinguished Service Award

Viola Goldberg Distinguished Service Award

In presenting the awards, Howard Rosenthal, President of the Historical Society, said

“We are extremely proud of and grateful for the accomplishments of all three of this year’s award recipients. Each one demonstrates how much individuals can do to keep the history of Sarasota County alive, not only for their own generation but for those generations yet to come.”

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Growing up in the Circus: Sarasota native tells all

Join Sarasota native, Sarah Wheeler Chapman, on April 15 at the Brown Bag Book Luncheon at the Historical Society of Sarasota County.

Chapman is the author of two books. Simply Sarah, her cookbook, is a light-hearted story done in a circus format with anecdotes of her circus family and their travels. It blends photos and 180 yummy recipes.

balancing act sarah wheeler chapmanChapman’s memoir, Balancing Act Memoir of a Florida Youth,  describes her five-acre home on Worrington Street and the Trail, her marriage to Danny Chapman, and her notable family: sister a beauty queen; aging dad who operated the Off Shore Bar on Bay Road; drop-dead gorgeous brother; strange mom; and herself, the quiet one busy with church, 4-H, and getting molested on Turtle Beach, at a time (1960), when kids were good.

Sarah kept secrets well…until she published her memoir in 2014. Determination and a keen sense of balance piloted her through her teens, the circus, parenting, and furthering her education. She shares insights from Ringling Circus, Clown College, and the perils of aerial work. The circus provides a backdrop to the deep topic of the memoir—abuse.

Don’t miss this chance to meet Sarah Wheeler Chapman at the last Brown Bag Book Lunch this season on April 15. No reservations needed. See you at 11:30 in the Crocker Memorial Church, and remember to pack a lunch! Beverages provided by the Historical Society. BBBLs are free to members and $5 for guests. Both of Chapman’s books will be available for purchase and autographing at the luncheon.

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From Moons Ohio to Ca’ d’Zan

Mable Ringling Revealed: Mable Ringling as presented by the Historical Society of Sarasota CountyA Conversations at The Crocker presentation with rare photos of Mable Ringling and her time in Sarasota bring to life her lasting influence on this city 
 
Mable Burton Ringling (1875-1929) is remembered as the wife of John Ringling, America’s circus king.  But she was much more than the gracious hostess of Ca’ d’Zan, her Sarasota mansion. Her influence is felt today on the west coast of Florida where she oversaw the construction of the couple’s 57-room Venetian Gothic mansion on Sarasota Bay.

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