People & Places

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Now that I’m 119, I could use some fresh underpinnings…

Pioneer Day in Pioneer Park at the Historical Society of Sarasota County
The Crocker Church has been a community gathering place for 119 years. Let’s make it a part of Sarasota County for another century or so.

If we don’t care about our past, we cannot hope for the future. ~

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Perhaps you’ve heard that after a certain age, it’s patch, patch, patch? Well sometimes, it’s more like a major LIFT is needed.
Our beloved community gathering place, the Crocker Memorial Church, needs new underpinnings. A major support beam is in drastic need of renewal. You can imagine the cost… now, imagine your contribution. 

Please support the new structural support beam.

You can send a check to HSoSC at 1260 12th Street, Sarasota FL 34236, or donate instantly with your credit card via this secure Internet link. You can even pledge a monthly amount through Paypal if you choose. Thank you for helping keep the Crocker Memorial Church whole and healthy for today, and for all the tomorrows.

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Happy New Year 2018!!

Bidwell-Wood House New Roof

Fall 2017 New Roof

2017 New Roof on Bidwell-Wood House

Bidwell-Wood House has a new Roof!

 

The Bidwell-Wood House (1882) has a new roof!!! Thanks to a grant from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation and generous donations from the annual appeal we were able to have Sutter Roofing Company do the work. It had been delayed with hurricane Irma this summer and work did not begin until late October and was finished by the end of the year. Please come visit and see how great it looks!

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Member Holiday Party!

Dark and foggy outside while a bright and happy crowd of HSOSC members celebrated inside the Crocker Memorial Church and the Bidwell-Wood House.  Attendees enjoyed the company of other like minded historians….food and drink….and live holiday music by local musician Sal Garcia.

art-meade-fergusonjohn-mccarthy-deborah-walkcrocker-churchfood-in-the-dining-room


			

	
	



			
				



	
	


		
					

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John McCarthy & Brenda Lee Hickman on their 25th Cruise

	


		

		
captain-don-brenda-lee-hickman-john-mccarthyOn Sunday November 20 the HSOSC hosted their 29th Historical Cruise on LeBarge with narrator John McCarthy and organizer Brenda Lee Hickman both on their 25th cruise in photo above with Captain Don.  The LeBarge offers HSOSC the town’s favorite floating history lesson and a great way to enjoy cruising on Sarasota Bay. The next cruise sets sail on Sunday March 5, 2017 – call the office for reservations. All proceeds help maintain historic properties at Pioneer Park and promote history education and programming.

			

	
	



			
				



	
	


		
					

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November 2016 Conversations at the Crocker

	


		

		
 


2015 Hero of History Jeff LaHurd
Hero of History Jeff LaHurd


 


History author indulges his nostalgia for the way things were


Popular author Jeff LaHurd presents an illustrated program on Sarasota’s “charming”past at the Crocker Memorial Church. A community event organized by the Historical Society of Sarasota County


The author of 15 books about the history of Sarasota and Florida and a child of Sarasota since 1950, Jeff LaHurd comes to the Crocker Memorial Church on Tuesday, November 15 to present an illustrated program that is half history and half nostalgia when he takes a loving look at Sarasota’s not too distant past. The fun starts at 7 p.m. Historical Society members, free; guests, $10. All proceeds go to maintaining the Bidwell-Wood House (1882) and the Crocker Memorial Church (1901), both located at 1260 12th Street (Pioneer Park), one half block off N. Tamiami Trail at 12th Street.

If you know practically nothing about Sarasota history, this event will be an eye-opener. If you think you are pretty well versed in how and why this sleepy little fishing village and sunny small-town refuge from northern winters evolved, you may be surprised by what you’ll learn from Jeff LaHurd’s amusing and timely perspective.

“When Arvida first announced that they were coming to Sarasota in 1959,” said LaHurd, “they indicated, ‘Very few places have one iota of the charm of Sarasota,’ so my presentation is a look at the places many long-time residents remember when “charm” not “overdevelopment” was the operative word.”

This Historical Society event is part of Conversations at The Crocker, a series of interactive conversations about the people, places and events that have influenced the growth and development of Sarasota County. President of the Historical Society is Howard Rosenthal. Co-chairs of Conversations at The Crocker are Lynn Harding and Marsha Fottler.

Jeff LaHurd is a two-time winner of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation’s Individual Distinguished Service Award and he is a recipient of the Hero of History Award, presented by the Historical Society of Sarasota County. He is regular contributor to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune daily newspaper and he is a contributor to STYLE Magazine. A speaker known for his humorous take on some aspects of local history,


is a sought-after speaker and whenever he appears at Conversations at The Crocker, it’s a sold-out house for the Historical Society, where he is a Life Member.

			

	
	



			
				



	
	


		
					

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November LeBarge Historical Cruise Rescheduled

	


		

		
Norma Kwenski, Volunteer Extraordinaire, grabs the catbird seat on LeBarge, next to our commentator, always-captivating John McCarthy, one of Sarasota’s leading historians.
Norma Kwenski, Volunteer Extraordinaire, grabs the catbird seat on LeBarge, next to our commentator, always-captivating John McCarthy, one of Sarasota’s leading historians.


Our 29th Historical LeBarge Cruise was postponed two weeks due to mechanical repairs being done to the boat. We are rescheduled for Sunday November 20 – same time same station!! Sunday morning cruise from 11a – 1p. We had to do some rearrangements for guests that could not make the date change and we now have a few more spaces available. The VIP tickets are $75 (includes early boarding with two drink coupons and a thank you gift) and regular tickets are $50. Please call the office at 941-364-9076 if you would like to join us for our fall LeBarge cruise.

			

	
	



			
				



			

			
				Join us at our Ring the Bell party!			
		

	
	


		
					

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Join us at our Ring the Bell party!

	


		

		
Will you be participating in #GivingChallenge16? We sure hope so…


“We”, in this case, being not just your Board at the Historical Society, but the great folks over at GuitarSarasota.org as well.


Not only will GS be giving free mini-concerts/lectures in the Crocker Memorial Church this coming season but we are partnering for the Community Foundation’s popular 2016 Giving Challenge on September 20-21 from noon to noon.

“Our organizations’ partnership is the perfect example of non-profit collaboration and includes a multifaceted new non-profit partnership,” says Thomas Koch of GS. “And, joining forces for the 2016 Giving Challenge gives both organizations the exciting opportunity to engage our boards and cross-promote to both organizations’ supporters,” he says.

Linda Garcia, Site Manager of HSoSC, is equally pleased by the new partnership. “We have a creative campaign planned that was born out of a good old fashioned brainstorming session between both organizations. I love it when collaboration results in creativity,” she says.


One of the creative ideas when we brainstormed was that sometimes, people want to donate, but the online, credit-card-only structure of Giving Challenge is, well, a bit challenging. The solution to that obstacle? Throw a party and have ambassadors available to make supporters’ donations for them!


So! We’re throwing a “Ring The Bell Party” on September 20, 2016 from 4-7pm.


Everyone who donates gets to ring the bell, our newest addition to our campus… and we’ll even, if you like, take a photo of you doing so!


Join HSoSC & Guitarsarasota to celebrate #GivingChallenge16


The bell, normally off-limits to freelance ringing, will ring out your support of either or both nonprofits.


There will be ambassadors from both organizations to assist attendees in donating online, in “real-time”, to the 2016 Giving Challenge. Remember that your donation will be matched or even tripled by The Patterson Foundation so your generosity will be truly effective for both groups.


So much going on Tuesday, September 20 from 4-7pm


    

  • Crocker Memorial Church and the Bidwell-Wood House, 1260 12th Street in Sarasota’s Pioneer Park
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  • Tour the Crocker Memorial Church (1901) and the Bidwell-Wood House (1882) as well as our ever-growing gardens in Pioneer Park
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  • enjoy live classical guitar music by Thomas Koch
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  • dance to live music by Sal Garcia, founder of OMNI
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  • ambassadors available to assist you in donating online, real-time, to the #Giving Challenge16
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  • watch as our historic demonstrators weave fabric and create boondoggles
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  • complimentary refreshments
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  • donations generously matched by The Patterson Foundation, 1:1 or even 2:1, making your contribution doubly or triply more valuable!
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  • historical cast-iron church steeple bell on display
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  • photo station for your social media fun!
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  • donors are invited to #BeTheOne and Ring The Bell to celebrate their participation in supporting these two non-profit organizations
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Spiffing up for Season at the Historical Society

	


		

		
In the lull between our Annual Meeting in May and the beginning of Conversations at the Crocker in October, you might think the Bidwell-Wood House and the Crocker Memorial Church slumber in the heat. Not so! We’ve been organizing three wonderful events, two of which are BRAND NEW, and one a returning favorite.


Well sure, it’s hot, but that doesn’t stop volunteer gardens overseer, Sue Padden, and site manager Linda Garcia, from plotting the… well, the plot: our native plantings, herb garden, and flower pots and boxes.


1605 sue padden and linda

A sure way to beat the heat of the summer is to play in the sprinkler… err, wield the pressure hose and clean off the access ramp to our campus.

cleaning the railings 7-2016

Thanks to our volunteers and a gift from the parents of a Crocker bride, our plantings look better every season, don’t they?

hsosc garden-bromeliadsAnd the House has a new coat of paint, the decks a protective sealant. And wait until you try out the new park benches in our front yard!park benchIf you’ve entered the Crocker from our ramp, you know how user-UNfriendly that step right there was… well, we’ve had a “stage-ectomy” as Linda calls it: it’s no longer a feat to maneuver in, as these folks had to do at our Annual meeting!

stageWe thank our members, Conversations attendees, and donors for the funds that let us keep improving these historic buildings for contemporary use…


and we look forward to seeing your name on the list of #GivingChallenge16 donors on Sept. 20 and 21, so we can continue to make the Historical Society a true gem in Pioneer Park! Here’s info on how your contribution will be doubled or even TRIPLED!


Help the Historical Society of Sarasota County Preserve History


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#BeTheOne: You can preserve history!

	


		

		
Help the Historical Society of Sarasota County Preserve History


Lost: The Bispham-Wilson Home stood until recently near the corner of Tamiami Trail and Proctor Road. The Bispham Dairy served the Sarasota area for 65 years. Razed 2014-2015. More.


Lost: El Vernona Hotel> John Ringling Hotel> John Ringling Towers. Built in the 1920s as the El Vernona Hotel by Owens Burns, and named after his wife, Vernona, the hotel was the center of glamour and activity in Sarasota. Razed 1998. More.


Saved: The Bidwell-Wood House was built in 1882. It is now revitalized as the centerpiece of the Historical Society of Sarasota County, located in its new home in Pioneer Park at 1260 12th Street, Sarasota.  


Saved: Crocker Memorial Church, whose predecessor was built in 1901 as a place of worship and gathering spot, continues into the 21st century repurposed as a community amenity next to the Bidwell-Wood House in Pioneer Park.


You too can #BeTheOne to help preserve our county history, by participating in the upcoming Giving Challenge 2016. 


If you miss the Giving Challenge, we always welcome your membership and participation in the Society.


Photo credits: Bispham-Wilson Historic District, By Ebyabe – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11911031


El Vernona Hotel> John Ringling Hotel> John Ringling Towers, as seen on SarasotaHistoryAlive.com


Bidwell-Wood House, Greg Wilson Photography


Crocker Memorial Church, Historical Society Archive


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The heavens are smiling on our new season!

	


		

		
Historical Society of Sarasota County's Events Committee 2016
L to R: Deborah Bowers, Kate Holmes, Linda Garcia, Brenda Lee Hickman, Marsha Fottler, Lynn Harding, Diane Esthus, Meade Ferguson, Marie Rowe. Behind the camera: Terrance Leaser


The heavens were shining upon the Historical Society of Sarasota County’s Pioneer Park campus when our Events Committee met to plan an active, engaging 2016-2017 season for our members and guests. We can’t WAIT to show off our newly-freshened Bidwell-Wood House (1882) and Crocker Memorial Church (1901) to everyone!


In addition to our monthly Conversations at the Crocker events (which are often SRO!) on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, our Welcome Back Reception for members in October, our Members’ Holiday Gala in December and of course, the never-to-be-missed Annual Meeting & Potluck in May, we have to present to the community:


    

  • Our Trolley Tours of Historic Downtown Sarasota (Sept 17 and March 11 are already sold out, so get your reservations in!);
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  • Our traditional Historic Sarasota Bay Cruise on the LeBarge, narrated by the talented John McCarthy (Reservations coming in fast, and space is getting limited, so claim your seat now!);
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  • A Private Tour of Ca’ d’ Zan hosted by Keeper of the House Ron McCarty, with lunch (Members only event, reservations now being accepted for this intimate event);
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  • And Artists in the Park on Sunday in collaboration with Light Chasers Plein Air Artists (keep an eye on our Calendar for more info as this develops!)
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Also, we’re having three opportunities for you to participate, donate, and re-house some wonderful possessions. We’d love for you to donate, shop, and spread the word to the community in general about:


    

  • The Pop-Up History Book Swap: Available at every Conversation at the Crocker, and probably a few other places as well
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  • Our popular and anticipated Bi-Annual Designer Tag Sale on Saturday November 12
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  • and our newest partnership, Sparkling Saturday, a gently-used, heirloom and estate costume jewelry sale with Jewelry to the Rescue on Saturday November 26.
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As you can imagine, there are volunteer tasks and jobs aplenty! Call our Site Manager, Linda Garcia, at 941-364-9076, or email her at hsosc1@gmail.com, and she’ll help you match up your interests and availabilities with some fun way to help HSoSC keep on shining!


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Summer Heats Up and Members Step Up!

	


		

		
Summer Heats Up & our Members Step Up!!!


Many thanks to our members who have stepped up this summer to help the Historical Society of Sarasota County.


The Historical Society's Landscape Chair, Sue PaddenSue Padden has volunteered to head up the landscaping committee and has planted our herb garden – she comes often to check on “her garden”. She has also elected to do a monthly donation to HSOSC with our pay pal monthly donation key on our website. Please join her in this by checking the button on the website. This is a tremendous help with the funding for the maintenance and upkeep for the two historic gems in Pioneer Park – the Bidwell-Wood House (1882) and the Crocker Memorial Church (1901).


 Paul Morrisroe volunteered his time and labor to repair the irrigation systems sprinkler heads and connections. This is a great help for the maintenance of the yards.


 Jon Moore and Linda Garcia accepting an antique steeple bell from Jack Helm of Helm VaultJon Moore located an antique church bell at the Helm Vault company and coaxed them into making a donation to HSOSC.


We thank him and Jack Helm and are looking forward to our “Ring the Bell” party in September (details coming: stay tuned!).


Gloria Nepstead has stepped up to replace Margret Bering as our volunteer plant lady taking care of the flower boxes on the front porch of both the church and the house.


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Pinning your way through Sarasota County History

	


		

		
1908 bathing beauties and Pinterest
Click to visit our very own Pinterest at the Historical Society of Sarasota County


Are you a Pinner? No, we’re not asking if you wear pinafores… but if you’ve explored Pinterest! For the visually-oriented, the researcher, or even just the curious, it’s a veritable treasure trove of images and links.


I am all of the above, so here’s a few Pinterest Boards I enjoy and follow:


First up, of course, our HSoSC Pinterest page.


Some photos I have not seen before and which set me researching, here. His photos, alas, are not always credited or commentated. This fellow also pins other interesting things, like vintage automobiles!


Ever wonder what Fruitville Road used to look like? This Pin Board shows you!


A local Realtor has her own curated Sarasota History Pin Board. Her other boards, covering the area, are interesting as well.


New to Pinterest? Learn how to use it with this complete and free tutorial. If you want to browse Pinterest on your phone, here’s info on the app you’ll use.


Image originally found at http://www.vintag.es/


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