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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.

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Trees – WOW

Crosley Mansion Tree by HSOSCWe hope you get a chance to visit the Crosley “Festival of Trees” and enjoy over 50 decorated Christmas Trees including OURS!!!  Our fabulous volunteer (soon to be a member?) Margaret Behrends did a splendid job using Margret Bering’s paintings from our 2010 calendar.  The tree is named “Historical & Whimsical” with each painting displayed and an adorable pink flamingo sitting atop with the flamingo sand dollars and colored candy canes. Click for info on the event.

AND in the Bidwell-Wood home our tree was decorated by Lorraine Orr – member and volunteer extraordinaire – with ornaments made from the nuts off the ground of the front yard!  Lorraine also donated the wreaths in front of the house and Museum Gift Shop.

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High Tea and Victorian Doll House Unveiling Sunday, January 8

Update 1-9-12: This unique event was quickly sold out. Over 50 participants enjoyed tea sandwiches, scones, an elegant tea service courtesy of the DAR (our neighbors in Pioneer Park) and the Victorian Doll House as well as other miniature rooms proudly displayed by fellow Sarasotans. Wish you were there!

You are invited to join us for

High Tea

on Sunday, January 8, 2012 from 2p – 4p in the Crocker Memorial Church.  Barry & Judy Alexander are putting on display, for a limited time, their 3 story – “Beacon Hill Miniature Victorian Mansion.”   We are celebrating its arrival with a special celebration to help generate operating funds.

Reservations are required.  We will have limited seating so sign up at your earliest convenience.  Live music will be provided by Sal Garcia 0f OMNI fame.

Call the office – 941-364-9076 to secure your seats….What a great idea to give tickets as a wonderful holiday gift!!!

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This day in 1885: High hopes

On this day in 1885, The almost-100 participants in the Ormiston Colony left Glasgow sarasota florida, 1884bound for here

[which] was believed to be the modern city of Sarasota. They got their ideas from pamphlets distributed by the Fla. Mortgage and Investment Co., who, in turn, blamed the people who had sold them the land.

From Yesterday’s Sarasota (A Calendar for 1993), by J. Whitcomb Rylee in conjunction with the Historical Society of Sarasota County, available for purchase in the Society’s Museum Gift Shop.

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Holiday Potluck with History-Loving Friends December 13

Historical Society of Sarasota County holiday pot luckJust got an email from our indefatigable Events Superhero, Jane, about our December get-together. Rather than a meeting with speaker, we opt for social flippancy and festive fun! Jane gives us all the details:

Pot Luck Supper… Tuesday, Dec.  13th At the DAR Headquarters on 12th Street, next door to the HSOSC ‘s buildings.  All Historical Society Members, Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation Members and D.A.R. Members are invited!!  Bring your favorite dish and your appetite! 

And, since we want to make your holiday gift-shopping green, local, easy, and supportive of the Historical Society, Jane adds:
Shop the HSOSC’s darling little Gift Shop, in the Bidwell House’s historic Kitchen from 5 to 6PM, then stroll next door for a delicious holiday meal at 6PM, with your history-minded friends.
The DAR building has plenty of room for all of us, so there’s no need to RSVP… just don’t forget to put this on your calendar. See you there, I hope!
Red Hat Ladies Caught Red-Handed at HSOSC
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Red Hat Ladies Caught Red-Handed at HSOSC

HSOSC Member Lois Greer brought her Red Hat group to the Historical Society for an outing recently. Docent (and HSOSC Prez) Howard Rosenthal was on hand to greet them as they drove up 12th Street in a bevy of pre-WW1 automobiles driven by Lois’ husband Ed and his fellow old-car enthusiasts.

The ladies were a remarkable group –  11 women, all dressed in purple dresses with red hats (except for the one renegade who opted for a red dress and purple hat!)

Lois and Ed Greer are exceptional volunteers for HSOSC. They donated uncountable hours working on the restoration and painting of the two historic buildings in Pioneer Park since HSOSC moved the buildings to Pioneer Park in 2006. We always count on Lois for assistance as needed, and just try to keep Ed from posing one of his beloved cars for vintage photo ops during our events!

After touring the Bidwell-Wood House the ladies and their chauffeurs followed the music coming from the Crocker Memorial Church, our second historic building. The Sarasota Earlye Musicke Consort happened to be practicing that morning, and director Charlotte Trautwein graciously explained the early music and early recorder instruments to our guests. The group played a selection for the ladies, who then headed out for a luncheon.

If your club or social group is interested in such an outing, please contact our Site Manager Linda Garcia at 941-364-9076 or hsosc@yahoo.com for available dates and reasonable rates. Our Back Porch is perfect for your picnic or refreshments during season, but you’ll have to find your own vintage cars! We also have speakers available for club meetings.

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Donation of Dining Room Table!!

Nancy Dunn donates Tiger Oak TableNancy Dunn has made a fabulous donation of a Tiger Oak Pedestal Table with Lion Head and Paw legs for the Bidwell-Wood House dining room. Her company is Estates Sales by Nancy Dunn, LLC and she also generously donated five matching chairs for the dining room and two beautiful red cushioned Victorian chairs for the upstairs hallway.

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Pioneer Day in Pioneer Park Pictures

November 12 2011– Incredible talents showcased by our vendors in both the Crocker Church and outside under the trees during Pioneer Day in Pioneer Park. We thank each of these great supporters for their participation! Pioneer Day in Pioneer Park Sarasota FL 2011As you can see below, activities ranged from antique cars to spinning, children’s vintage games to the “ghosts” of Whitaker Cemetery, presented by our neighbor in the Park, the DAR Sara de Sota Chapter. And the music was fantastic!

Below are just a few of the volunteers whose hard work made The Historical Society of Sarasota County’s grounds and curated buildings shine for our Pioneer Day, our gift to the Sarasota community.

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Happy Birthday, Longboat!

My, how you’ve grown! Happy Birthday, Longboat Key!

In 1915, 14 families lived on Longboat Key.

40 years later, on November 14 1955, the Town of Longboat Key was incorporated.

In 2011, there are over 8000 homes and condo units on the island.

Click to learn about Longboat from their historic association web site.

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THE place to be this weekend in Sarasota.

Pioneer Day at the Historical Society of Sarasota County is for all ages!Just back from pricing (oh such great prices!) table upon table of

great books

at the Crocker Church, getting ready for tomorrow’s Pioneer Day at Pioneer Park, Saturday Nov. 12, 10 to 4. Vendors inside and out, history tours, food, live music, games for kids and so much more!

Historical Society supporters Ginger Mermin (an incredible artist, working in

oils and watercolors

) and celebrated craftsperson Marie Rowe (wonderful

hand-spun and hand-woven soft goods

) and so many more! (Perfect holiday gift-shopping!)

Musicians?

Our constant supporter, Robyn Blue, promises Sara Nelms, Sarah Loeser, James Cademan, Dean Johanesen – the Human Condition, Randy Tracy.

Crafts demonstrations.

Food

the tastiest from Nealski’s BBQ. The most incredible

soaps and candles, locally-made.

Games for the kids? Yup.

Old fashioned ones like 3-legged races, corn toss, sack races and more. Learning?

Docented tours

:CEMETERY Tour at 11AM and 1PM; docented HOUSE TOUR at Noon and 2 PM

Details, location, and the only thing you need to bring, click here.

PS Look for your beloved Editor in the straw hat, personifying 1915 Lizzie Webb Guptill, one of the first Sarasota pioneers. Tell her you saw this, and get a free hug!)

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A personal peek into a famous family

Don’t you love to see renowned people looking, well, regular?

MableRingling

Mable Ringling with her parrot and miniature dog. Don't you love how she's been careful to include her pretty hat in the photo?

The Historical Society’s November meeting Continue reading →

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Be a part of the Historical Society. Help make Pioneer Day a success!

Be a part of the Historical Society. Help out now.

We are so grateful to all our members and supporters who help us conserve and curate two of Sarasota’s oldest buildings in one of our pristine parks, and who participate in our monthly meetings, special events and fund raisers.

This month, we could use some specific help. They range from easy-as-pie to lace on your working shoes. Please choose Continue reading →