by

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.

by

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!!!

by

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.

by

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
by

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.

by

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.

by

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.

by

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.

by

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!)

by

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 →

by

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 →

by

All aboard the magical Sarasota Time Machine!

Narrated trolley tours of downtown Sarasota by the Historical Society of Sarasota CountyThe Historical Society’s Historic Downtown Trolley Tours are very popular, so be sure to make your reservations quickly! This year’s dates are on our Calendar of Events, which is here.

Have you ever wondered what Sarasota was like before now?

Where people gathered, how they lived, where everyone came from and what they thought and what was here when and what they did…

and why we are so different from the average Florida town?

Well, hop onto our Historic Downtown Sarasota Trolley Tour, AKA the Time Machine, and let our favorite tale-spinner tell you!

These tours are a must for native, resident, winter resident or visitor. A wonderful activity for house guests and business travelers, and part of their education for anyone who makes their living in Sarasota. If you haven’t been privileged enough to participate, do it now!

HISTORIC TROLLEY TOURS: Two hour Historic Trolley Tours. 10:00 AM – Noon. Depart from the Crocker Memorial Church at Historical Society of Sarasota County in Pioneer Park, 1260 12th Street (just east off Tamiami Trail). Parking is free. Seating on the Trolley is limited, so grab your spot now. Advance reservations REQUIRED: email hsosc1@gmail.com

Save

by

Showman: Ron McCarty on John Ringling (and Mable too of course)

ron mccartyHaven’t you always been intrigued by John and Mable Ringling, their magnificent home, their art gallery… and their influence on Sarasota?

Well, prepare to be excited and amazed at the stories Ron McCarty will tell at our November meeting on Tuesday, November 8, at 7pm. You’ll want to come grab a seat early for this presentation in the Crocker Memorial Church at the Historical Society in Pioneer Park.

Ron McCarty has been a member of the Curatorial Department at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art for the last 30 years. He is the Curator and Keeper of Ca’d’Zan, the 36,000 square-foot historic Venetian-Gothic mansion seated on Sarasota Bay.

In addition to being a world-renowned curator, Ron is an actor, playing John in a PBS presentation, a writer, and has been a professional painter specializing in watercolor since the early 1970’s. Read more about Ron’s love for Ca’d’Zan in this magazine article, and see some of his amazing art on his web site.

But above all, Ron is a raconteur sans pareil* and will keep us spell-bound.

Don’t miss this meeting, which is free and open to the public… and bring friends!

And, don’t forget that our Museum Gift Shop will be open for your shopping pleasure at 6pm that evening, and a gift purchased here is a gift not only to the recipient, but towards the upkeep and preservation of a home humbler than Ca’d’Zan, but just as important in Sarasota history!

* That’s French for as much fun as a three-ring circus.