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Wow! They are really psyched!

Wow! They are really psyched!

(Can you say that about the avid supporters of our historic Sarasota museum? Sure!)

There is a pot of gold, and we need your help finding it

There is a pot of gold, and we need your help finding it

After Tuesday night’s monthly meeting (thanks, gentlemen, terrific panel discussion on Sarasota architecture!) dozens of future philanthropists, both members of the Historical Society and visitors who enjoyed our free event, told us they were

excited to be able to make their donations go further with the upcoming Giving Partners Challenge, a awareness-raising event to introduce The Giving Partner, an online tool that will provide in-depth information about local nonprofits to help leverage philanthropy in our community. As a partnership between the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, The Patterson Foundation and Manatee Community Foundation, the Historical Society of Sarasota County has been selected as only one of three history-oriented nonprofits in the entire area to participate!

Just think… we could double the value of our generous donations, win a $250-an-hour prize… or even win $20,000

JUST for asking ALL our friends to visit our profile on the Giving Partners site. Learn about this once-in-a-lifetime event, mark your calendar for March 27 and 28, and help us find the pot of gold that will help

preserve and protect

the Oldest Residence in Sarasota County, and the Crocker Church, with its original glass and hand-hewn pews!

Read more about this unprecedented event.

Stay tuned for more info (subscribe to this site up there in the right column),

& TELL YOUR FRIENDS (see the sharing buttons under this post? Click ’em!)

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The Three Kings of Sarasota Architecture

Harold BubilHarold Bubil, Real Estate and Architecture Editor at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and a frequent lecturer on the subject of architecture, leads a panel discussion on the Three Kings of Sarasota Architecture on Tuesday, March 13 at 7 p.m. at the Crocker Memorial Church at 1260 12th Street (in Pioneer Park), Sarasota. This special program is free and open to the public.

The three architects, Continue reading →

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Newtown, as seen by 2 lifelong residents

City Commissioner of Sarasota FL Willie Shaw

City Commissioner of Sarasota FL Willie Shaw

We are pleased to have hosted City Commissioner Willie Shaw and Jetson Grimes, as part of the Society’s “Looking Back With….” Programs, on Tuesday Feb. 14th at 7:00 PM at the Crocker Memorial Church in Pioneer Park at 1260 12th Street Sarasota (between N. Trail and Cocoanut Ave.)  Experience what Continue reading →

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We’re SO ready for our close-up!

The talents of Greg Wilson are evident in the beautiful photographs he took of our two historical buildings at the Historical Society of Sarasota County. See Greg’s favorite (and our!) shots of the Bidwell-Wood House and the Crocker Memorial Church on his site.

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A new addition to our museum!

We are so fortunate to have great donors in our area that are willing to part with their treasures knowing they have a safe place to live here at the Historical Society of Sarasota County.

Many, many THANKS to Jen Harms for the wonderful donation of Continue reading →

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January is indeed the height of the year in Sarasota

Vintage Florida postcard from the Historical Society of Sarasota CountyHappy New Year!

We’re pleased to have you with us in this new year, and look forward to seeing you at our first meeting of 2012 on Tuesday, Jan 10th, 2012 at 7PM, Crocker Church @ HSOSC (https://hsosc.com/ ) :

Panel Discussion: Looking Back With…..

Listen in as our distinguished guest show you their Sarasota and how it has changed in the past 50 years!

A Panel Discussion with Artist- Richard Capes (http://www.richardcapes.com/) , Architect – Carl Abbott (http://carlabbott.com/ ), Symphony Director – Paul Wolfe (http://www.sarasotaorchestra.org/sarasotamusicfestival/paulwolfe.cfm) & Moderator – Lou Ann Palmer

More this month:

  • SOLD OUT The Victorian Doll House High Tea on Sunday January 8 has a few spots left: call or email now.
  • The Watercolor Journaling Class is every Wednesday this month; join us for one morning or all of them!
  • Autobiography in 3 Easy Steps is a four-session class starting Thursday Jan. 26.
  • Sold Out. Next available Trolley Tours Sat. Feb. 18, March 10, March 31. CALL 364-9076 NOW! Click for more details. We have some very special guests coming with us on the Saturday  January 21 Historic Downtown Trolley Tour, so join us, won’t you?
  • SOLD OUT:  Join a select group of HS members on the intimate, expert-escorted trip “behind the scenes” at Ca’ D’Zan on Tuesday Jan. 24.
  • The Restoration Event scheduled for later this month has been cancelled.
  • January is dues-re-upping time. Make checks payable to The Historical Society of Sarasota County and mail to: P.O. Box 1632 Sarasota, Florida 34230 The Historical Society of Sarasota County is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation

Don’t linger in the past. Get all Historical Society updates as they happen, in real time: Follow us on Facebook!

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Extra, extra, read all about it!

1882 Plain Dealer front pageI love to read contemporaneous accounts about history events, even if they aren’t directly related to Sarasota County history.

For example, to get a feel for what was going on the year that the Bidwell-Wood House was built, I found this 1882 Plain Dealer front page. And look what happened that day!

HistoryBuff.com is a volunteer effort by Timothy Hughes, dealer in vintage newspapers. Here, he’s assembled some of his collection, arranged by year.

Tip: Did you know, if you’re viewing the Internet on a PC, you can hit Ctrl+ to make the text larger, or Crl- to see more of the screen in a smaller font? Makes surfing a lot more comfortable, especially after a few hours!

Tip#2: Re-up your HSOSC membership today… everyone’s due in January.

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The artist within: a wonderful gift for others and yourself

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” –Pablo Picasso

Watercolor journaling classes at the Historical Society of Sarasota County, by Lucinda HathawayLucinda Hathaway found the watercolorist within herself late in life. Just three years ago, already a published author and grandmother, she discovered the joys of journaling with watercolors and brush in Maine while sailing on Penobscot Bay.

Now you can explore how to honor your journey through life with this easy, enjoyable technique. Join Lucinda, internationally known-water color journaling teacher, at the Historical Society’s Back Porch Classes in January.  Classes will be held all four Wednesdays (January 4, 11, 18 and 25) from 9:30a to 12n. Beginners always welcome. Join the group for one class or all four! Call the HS Office Mon-Fri between 10a and 2p at 941 364 9076 to reserve your spot. $30 per class per student. Casses are limited to 5-10 students for full advantage of Lucinda’s attention and instruction.

Give a class, or all 4, to yourself, a friend, or best of all, yourself and a friend. Will 2012 be the year you release the artist within?

Materials needed :

  • 140# watercolor paper as a sheet or in a journal
  • watercolors
  • waterproof ink pen
  • #6 brush
All are available at Art and Frame, Blue Line and Keeton’s. Blue Line , in support of the Historical Society, will give you a 10% discount if you mention this class.

Read more about our instructor Lucinda Hathaway here, and see how she inspires even the youngest here.

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Ever wished you could have been a guest at one of the Ringlings’ private parties?

UPDATE September 2012: This event was such a success, we’re doing it again. Get your reservation in early. See our Calendar of Events.

Well, now you can! Yes, the Historical Society of

Sarasota County has arranged for a private, limited-size tour of the magnificent Ca’ D’Zan mansion just for us, led by the Curator and Keeper of the House, Ron McCarty… complete with luncheon and a special slide show by Ron.

Details: Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 9:30am
Includes our private luncheon with choice of entrees at Treviso, known for its fine dining.
$50 per person. An extraordinary day and value for you, a fundraiser for HSOSC.

Ron is looking forward to showing us some places the public doesn’t get to see very often, such as the often-overlooked terra cotta decorative work. He’ll tell us about the architect and his scope in Sarasota and lead our small group through the 1st and 2nd floors with information not normally shared by the docents. Ron looks forward to showing us the 3rd floor with its incredible Willy Pogany ceiling. We’ll see, up close, the newly installed historic windows (they’ve been closed up since 1971!) and the 4th floor tower bedroom. Finally, we’ll enjoy the tower overlook together and celebrate the Ringling’s history in Sarasota. Then we will stop at the newly-opened Captain’s Cottage and then have lunch together, where Ron will proudly show many never before viewed images of John and Mable’s clothing and personal items. As Keeper of the House, Ron is excited for our HSOSC participants to celebrate the Ringlings’ 100 years in Sarasota.

Luncheon at the famed Treviso is included in our tour price. Please choose entree at time of booking. Meal includes soft drinks, coffee, tea and a sorbet. When you make your tour reservations, please indicate which of these entrees you would prefer:

  • Chicken Pecan Salad:  with Grapes and Candied Pecans Served on Toasted Raisin Walnut Bread
  • Caprese Panini: Fresh Mozzarella, Sliced Tomatoes and Genoa Basil on Buttered Brioche, Pressed and Served with a Cup of Soup and a Small House Salad
  • or the John R. Burger: Grilled Choice Ground Chuck, with Swiss, Cheddar or Provolone Cheese, with Lettuce, Tomato and Onion and a Choice of Fries, Fresh Fruit or Treviso Roasted Garlic Pasta Salad

Make your reservations now, as the group will be a small one. Tickets, including admission to the Ca’ d’Zan only, our special host Ron McCarty, plus luncheon and a private slide show, are $50 per person. Read the fine print, below, then call the Office at 941-364-9076 to charge your tickets, email: hsosc@yahoo.com, or send a check to HSOSC, PO Box 1632, Sarasota, FL 34230. This tour is expected to sell out quickly so don’t delay!

The small print: Please be advised that there are over 80 steps and no elevator for this tour. Parking is free. We will check-in at the visitors center after 9:30AM and then proceed to arrive at Ca’d’Zan promptly at 10:30 for the start of the tour.  Ca’ d’Zan: upper floors and tower weather permitting.  Since this is a private tour of the Mansion, non-Ringling members will not be able to enter any of the other buildings during that day.
 
Photo from Flickr under CC license, by uberphoto.
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Renew now to save, and speak up to have fun!

Members!!  Members !!  Members !!! 

News Alert –  2 Items:

Renew your membership in the Historical Society of Sarasota County

#1 – The Board of Directors voted for an increase in our membership dues beginning January 1, 2012.  Single membership will be $30,  Family membership, $50 and a Lifetime membership, $300.  Please send in your renewal  or call the HSOSC office at 941-364-9076, M-F 10 to 2, and charge your renewal quickly and easily.

#2 – Member Survey – Please fill out this form: Member Survey October 2011 at your earliest convenience and return to us.  We need to know for what our members would like to participate in to help us raise operating funds. Just print out the survey, fill it in, bring it to our next meeting or event, or drop it in the mail to us at: HSOSC, PO Box 1632, Sarasota, FL 34230.