History Fun

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For the Mother who has Everything – a BRICK!!

Brick Grid at Bidwell-Wood HouseMother’s Day (or any other gift-giving occasion) is always a conundrum: she seems to have everything and need nothing (but your love and devotion of course). But fortunately, the Historical Society of Sarasota County has the perfect solution to your gift-giving problem: a brick!

That’s right! Whether Mom lives in, loves, or simply enjoys visiting Sarasota County, you can commemorate her affection with something that will last for decades, even centuries. And this is no ordinary brick, just like Mom’s no ordinary mother.

How about a historic brick from Sarasota’s Seaboard Airline Railroad!!!

Bricks at Bidwell-Wood House

Nothing says loving like a brick.

The Historical Society of Sarasota County salvaged the bricks from Main Street and Lemon Avenue when the station depot was being demolished.  We have them laid as the walkway into the 1882 Bidwell-Wood House, Sarasota County’s oldest surviving residence, for a lasting memorial.  Each year the new etched bricks are laid on Pioneer Day with a celebration for new brick owners.

You can honor anyone including yourself with an etched historic brick.  A donation of $100 or more creates a permanent reminder of your loved one and participation in Sarasota History.  Each year the new etched bricks are laid with ceremony to honor those who support Sarasota history in the walkway.

To honor your mother in front of this historic home, or to inscribe a brick for yourself, your loved ones, or a special occasion, simply print out this form and mail it in: Brick Reservation Form. Prefer to do it by phone? Call Linda, Site Manager, any weekday between 10 and 2 at 941-364-9076 or email us at hsosc1@gmail.com

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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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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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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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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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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

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Could The New York Times have gotten it wrong?

When HSOSC President Howard Rosenthal called our attention to Alfred Bidwell’s  obituary in The New York Times, we were thrilled to add it to our collection.

Alfred Bidwell built what we know call the Bidwell-Wood House in 1882. He was a local merchant, and the house, in 1882, was considered a fine home by the Tampa newspaper.

But could The New York Times have erred? Long-time HSOSC member Ed Orr, a studious history buff, thinks so. Ask Ed about it, next time you see him (he’s the one with all the collectible cars!)Alfred Bidwell's obituary

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This Day in History: October 14

A catch worth catching on film, Sarasota 1903

A catch worth catching on film, Sarasota 1903

The town of Sarasota was incorporated today in 1902, although the incorporation did not become effective until January 1, 1903. (All those ducks had to be put in a row, right?)

The hoosegow, Sarasota FL 1903. No A/C, no screens.

Scofflaws in Sarasota lodged here.

SarasotaHistoryAlive has a great essay on their site by Ann Shank on what the laws were like then. Click the photo of the Sarasota jail, 1903, to read.

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Love kitsch? Me too!

Definitely making my way to Venice for THIS exhibit!Vintage Florida postcard from the Historical Society of Sarasota County

Wish You Were Here ~ Florida Tourist Souvenirs 1900s-1960s Opens Sept. 26:  4 – 6 p.m. at the Venice Archives and Area Historical Collection at351 Nassau St. S,Venice, FL  34285, (941) 486-2487 Hours:  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
 
Kitschy, vintage Florida souvenirs often reflect the history and trends of early Florida tourism. Rarely tasteful, mostly whimsical and often just plain tacky, these souvenirs were popular gifts for children and as reminders to the folks back home of how much better life was in sunny Florida. Wish You Were Here is the first guest-curated exhibit at the Venice Archives, a new tradition we plan to implement each September. Our first guest curator is Nancy Eaton, a Nokomis resident whose partial collection of vintage Florida memorabilia is on display here through November 23.

The Venice Archives, part of the Venice city government, can be accessed here.

If you love historic Florida tourist stuff, you absolutely MUST take advantage of the wonderful e-postcards offered free by the gentlemen of SarasotaHistoryAlive.com.  They are especially fun to send “back North” as the weather up there deteriorates. (The postcards, not the gentlemen. We’re keeping Larry and Lee right here.)

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Le Barge Historic Sarasota Bay Tour date set!

The Historical Society’s Historic Sarasota Bay Tour is always a sellout,

so call the HSOSC office at 364-9076 to charge your tickets on VISA or Mastercard and reserve your sunny, breezy, pastry-laden seat! UPDATE: The last Bay Tours were sell-outs. The first one of the season will be Sunday November 4, 2012; call for your reservations now!  Always a Sunday, always from 11am to 1pm, always delightful.

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Which Historic Marker do you live near?

Do you have a bit of history in your back yard?

The sign at the Historical Society of Sarasota County in Pioneer Park Sarasota FL

Oops... this is NOT the Historical Society's historic marker.

The Sarasota County Historical Commission is a group of civic-minded Sarasotans who suggest historical markers around our county. These markers contain some fascinating information… so next time you see one, stop and linger!

SarasotaHistoryAlive has catalogued the text of our historic markers on their fascinating site. This text is from there. Many thanks! You can also see photos of markers on Wikimedia Commons.

How about YOU? Which historic marker is close to your home?

Find it at SarasotaHistoryAlive, and add it below, in the comments.

Here’s the marker in my neighborhood. Even though Continue reading →

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This Day in History: Howitzer on the Manatee River

Civil War era schooner

This is the Wanderer, a schooner of the Civil War era, as was the USS Stonewall. Click to read about the Wanderer.

Aug 2 1864       The schooner, U.S.S. Stonewall, moved up the Manatee River and destroyed a sawmill, a gristmill, and a sugar mill that reportedly belonged to Confederate President Jefferson Davis.  No Federal casualties were reported. Read about the U.S.S. Stonewall.