People & Places

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Every church deserves a bell…

Jon Moore and Linda Garcia accepting an antique steeple bell from Jack Helm of Helm Vault

Jon Moore and Linda Garcia accepting an antique steeple bell from Jack Helm of Helm Vault.

Jack Helm, owner of Helm Vault Service in Bradenton has presented the Historical Society with a restored 14” antique steeple bell for use when the Crocker Memorial Church is active with community events.  The building, built in 1901, has been in continuous use ever since and is the meeting space for the Historical Society as well as other civic and social groups.

Additionally, the church is a site for small weddings which makes this donation of a bell so lovely. Helm Vault Service also supports the Historical Society with the personalized engraving of the bricks saved from the Airline Seaboard Railway Depot which are purchased by Society supporters with a donation, and laid in front of the Bidwell-Wood House (1882) each November.

Directors and supporters of the Historical Society of Sarasota County accept the gracious donation of a church bell from Jack Helm.

Members of the Historical Society Board of Directors gathered to accept the wonderful donation. They’re excited to ring the bell at the Crocker Memorial Church for events and meetings such as Conversations at The Crocker in the future.

We’ve set the 2016-2017 Calendar of Events for next season and are ready to accept reservations for the narrated Historical Trolley Tours and the Historical LeBarge Cruise for the first Sunday in November and again in March 2017. Don’t get shut out of these wildly-popular historic events. Call our Site Manager, Linda Garcia, Tues-Fri from 10am to 2pm to grab your reservations! 941-364-9076. Or email her 24/7 at hsosc1@gmail.com.

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Thank you, Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation!

The Historical Society of Sarasota Cpunty's campus in Pioneer Park, captured by Greg WilsonA $5,000 grant has been received to help fund improvements to the interior of the historic Crocker Memorial Church (1901). The grant comes from the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation.

“This grant will help bring Crocker Church back to what it looked like in 1901 when Peter Crocker built it as a community gathering place and for worship,” said Howard Rosenthal, President of the Historical Society.

“Preservation architects Greg Hall and Linda Stevenson did an analysis of the Crocker interior and suggested ways that we could improve and stabilize the building. We are following those recommendations with the Alliance grant.

“One of the best things about this grant is that it demonstrates how the Alliance fulfills its mission to preserve historic structures in Sarasota County and it certainly furthers our mission as we curate the Crocker Memorial Church building and the Bidwell-Wood House (1882) for educational outreach and as gathering places for community events that celebrate history.”

Events are held in both buildings on the Historical Society’s campus in Pioneer Park. Civic meetings, book clubs, theatrical performances, monthly history-oriented programs organized by HSOSC, art shows and much more keep our locale active and engaging. Both buildings were moved from other locations to Pioneer Park by the City of Sarasota in 2006 and placed under the protection of the Historical Society of Sarasota County, a 450-member organization.

Over the past few years the Crocker Memorial Church has become a destination for small country weddings with the reception on the front and back porches of the Bidwell-Wood House. With the structural improvements made possible by the Alliance grant of $5,000, the Crocker Church building (which was decommissioned as a church in 2006) will become even more accessible to the community.

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Preserving the Past with Paint

There are two (possibly more, even) ways to preserve history with paint, and this month, we present these to you:

A. Preserve the Past with Paint, Method One:

Painting the Bidwell-Wood House, Historical Society of Sarasota CountyThe first method of preserving history with paint involves hydraulic lifts and ladders and professional house painters. Thanks to YOUR support, the Bidwell-Wood House, the oldest residence in Sarasota County, is getting its “spa treatment” to keep it going strong in its third century. This would not have been possible without your participation and donations, and the House and the Society thank you! Stop by soon and see how “young” we look with the repairs and paint job!

B: Preserve the Past with Paint, Method

Two:

Continue reading →

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Saluting our Award Winners!

The highlight of the Annual Meeting (well, besides Linda’s Spanish Rice, which we wait for all year) is the announcement of the recipients of our two honors, the Hero of History and the Distinguished Service awards. The announcement this year was made by Marsha Fottler, Vice-President of the Board of Directors, standing in for Howard Rosenthal, President, who was unable to attend.

The winners for 2016 are, for the Hero of History, Suzette Jennings Blue, and for the Distinguished Service Award, Norma Kwenski. Their accomplishments are set forth below; click their names to enjoy.

Historical Society of Sarasota County's 2016 award recipients: Sue Blue (standing) and Norma Kwenski (seated.)

Historical Society of Sarasota County’s 2016 award recipients: Sue Blue (standing) and Norma Kwenski (seated) in the parlor of the Bidwell-Wood House, the oldest residence in Sarasota County. Photograph courtesy of  Virginia Hoffman.

Hero of History 2016

Suzette Jennings Blue

Most of us associate Sue Blue with the Saturday morning historic trolley tours that she graced us with from about 2004 until recently. Her volunteer passion provided folks with history education and the Society with much needed funds. But, Sue’s devotion to history and education as an author, researcher, and actress goes back a lot farther than that. In many ways Sue holds the institutional memory for this historical society and it’s her we often turn to when we need clarification on some aspect of these two buildings or events that are important to the evolution of this organization.

Sue attended Southside Elementary and is a graduate of Sarasota High School, class of 1946. Her  name is actually Suzette and it’s what her classmate Pete Esthus always called her. While a senior Suzette portrayed the role of Sara de Soto in The Legend of Sara de Soto at the Municipal Auditorium. After college and a career as an actress and theater teacher, Sue returned to her hometown, Sarasota, in 1994.

She restored the childhood home built by her grandfather, Aaron E. Scarborough, in 1925. Sue became a member of the historical society in 1996 and a year later was on the board serving as program chairman. She later served as served as Vice-President of the Board. Today she is a member of the Advisory Board and was a subject for an Ordinary Historian video interview. We have copies here if you want to view it and you should because she’s had quite a life.

During her years on the this board, Sue worked on preservation projects such as the Lido Pool, Sarasota High School, the Van Wezel home, the Municipal Auditorium, the Bidwell-Wood  House and Crocker Church. She wrote our brochures and was editor of our monthly newsletter. And she authored a series of 20 articles on Sarasota history that appeared in Scene magazine. Additionally, Sue wrote and directed a staged reading of “Mr. Bidwell.”  Sue served on Sarasota County Historical Commission from 2008 – 2012.

Sue still lives in her childhood home built by her grandfather.  Her work on behalf of the Historical Society would be enough to quality her as a Hero of History, but her preservation activism in the wider community has been so outstanding for so many years, that it is time indeed for us to declare with great pride and admiration that Suzette Jennings Blue is the 2016 recipient of the Hero of History award.

Distinguished Service Award 2016

Norma Kwenski

Norma Kwenski is the volunteer that every organization wants to call their own. She’s the one who arrives early, stays late and will do anything that needs attention from weeding the garden, to taking ticket money at Conversations, ironing tablecloths, washing dishes, to hostessing at the Holiday Party and bringing homemade deserts with her. Norma is always so “on the job”  that if I arrive at Pioneer Park for an event and don’t see Norma, I assume I’ve made a mistake and come on the wrong day.

Norma and Brad Kwenski moved to Sarasota from Illinois in 1969 when their children were young. Kay was 9 and sons Brent was 7 and Kendell just 5. They moved into a 1927 Mediterranean Revival home in beautiful Sapphire Shores that had no air conditioning or heat, but plenty of vintage charm. Brad got involved with the Ringling Museum, volunteering for the Medieval Fair. And he worked with Veronica Morgan when these two buildings were in the Rosemary District. They lived in their Sapphire Shores dream neighborhood until Brad became ill and encouraged Norma to make the move to a no-maintenance condominium in Longwood Run. Brad passed away in 2007.

Norma says Jane Kirschner, who had already pulled son Brent into her community service orb, was responsible for Norma becoming a member of the Historical Society. Later Jane made sure Norma got actively involved.

“I never thought I had any special talent,” says Norma, “I just thought I’d be quiet and help where help was needed.” And that’s what she did. But, volunteering so widely and so often, has given Norma a unique perspective on our organization.  She always shrewdly observes and reports on the successes of an event and tactfully points out where we could improve things. For instance, when she was collecting money on the Crocker porch for Conversations at the Crocker a couple years ago, Norma noticed that the lack of handrails was inconvenient and downright dangerous for many people coming up and down the steps. So, she talked it over with her children and the Historical Society board and the Kwenski Krew decided to donate money in Brad Kwenski’s name for handrails. People coming to the Crocker Church bless her every day for being so vigilant and so generous.
This morning we members of the Historical Society are so happy to let Norma know that she is appreciated, not just today but every day of the year. Norma Kwenski is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for 2016.
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Mucking about in Pioneer Park

Sue Padden, the new chair of the Historical Society’s landscape committee, organized a garden beautification day on Saturday, April 30. About a dozen volunteers answered her call to weed, prune, rake, plant and spread mulch. Sue is particularly interested in restoring the herb garden.

The Historical Society's Landscape Chair, Sue Padden

If there’s a call for volunteers, you can be sure Norma Kwenski will show up. She’s here weeding the brick memorial pavilion in front of the Bidwell-Wood House. She wants it to look perfect for the annual meeting and potluck luncheon, as well as the brick ceremony where people who have purchased bricks in a loved one’s name will see the bricks installed on May 14.

norma kwenski

Bob Fottler came dressed for the tasks at hand. He brought several bags of mulch and spread them in the garden in front of the Bidwell-Wood House. The garden can always use mulch and donations are appreciated.

bob fottler

Sara King cleaned out the bromeliad beds on the west side of the Crocker Church and planted new specimens. Lots of weeding and pruning too.

sue king

Bill Whetzel, who has maintained the Crocker Cemetery on Bee Ridge Road for 25 years, was on hand for the HSOSC garden beautification day on Saturday, April 30. This man knows a lot about yard maintenance and garden care.

bill whetzel

Gwen Whetzel did it all – weeding, pruning, raking, weed pulling. She was an inspiration to everyone.

gwen whetzel

Board member Meade Ferguson has participated in these garden clean up days before, so she knew enough to wear heavy gloves and long pants.

meade ferguson

All our members thank these hearty volunteers, and look forward to the Annual Meeting coming up on Saturday May 14 at 11am, with Pot Luck Picnic immediately following.

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The Highwaymen give, they don’t take…

If you’ve not heard the story of Florida’s Highwaymen (and one Highwaywoman), it’s a fascinating one…

Their palette included vibrant colors of verdant greens, sunset oranges – and blues and grays that often featured the sun or moon backlighting the scene. The Highwaymen often painted from memory as they captured scenes of the natural Florida they had grown up with, one that was yielding to the development brought on by the state’s mid-Twentieth Century growth.

By necessity, the men (and one woman) painted as an alternative to the backbreaking work of picking and packing Florida citrus – a typical job for African Americans in the 1950’s. Those days were still part of a racially segregated “Jim Crow” South, and painting, then selling their art, gave them an opportunity to succeed in a whole new way.

Their palette included vibrant colors of verdant greens, sunset oranges - and blues and grays that often featured the sun or moon backlighting the scene. The Highwaymen often painted from memory as they captured scenes of the natural Florida they had grown up with, one that was yielding to the development brought on by the state’s mid-Twentieth Century growth. By necessity, the men (and one woman) painted as an alternative to the backbreaking work of picking and packing Florida citrus – a typical job for African Americans in the 1950’s. Those days were still part of a racially segregated “Jim Crow” South, and painting, then selling their art, gave them an opportunity to succeed in a whole new way.

(Rumor has it, a great supporter of HSoSC collects Highwaymen art. Perhaps one day, we could borrow some for an exhibit in the Crocker Church?)

Read the article here.

The Florida Highwaymen web site.

Highwaymen art photo borrowed from Authentic Florida.

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An Historic Evening on the North Trail

By Averette - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15375126

An arts district streetscape in Miami.

Artspace Sarasota is a group of citizens who are focusing on North Tamiami Trail, past and present, and its untapped potential for arts-related development. The North Trail corridor is the proposed location for an affordable housing initiative for artists and the creative sector.

This initiative addresses our mission at HSoSC, which is to foster public awareness of our rich historical heritage, encourage inquiry and research into this history, develop a broader appreciation of its historical communities, and protect its historic sites and structures. We welcome ArtspaceSRQ’s meeting in the historic Crocker Church.

This ArtSpaceSRQ fund-raising event will be moderated by Lorrie Muldowney, preservation consultant and former manager of the Sarasota County History Center, on Monday, March 21, and promises a stimulating exchange.

Chicago-based Martin Treu, renowned architect and urban designer, will present The North Trail, Historic Gateway to Sarasota. His recent book, Signs, Streets, and Storefronts, showcases his multi-disciplinary approach to documenting and critiquing streetscapes. Treu has lectured nationally about signs and architectural history and recently launched Eye on Main Street, an organization formed to showcase, interpret, and nurture historic and contemporary Main Street urbanism.

On the same program, Megan McLaughlin, with notable governmental planning experience in Florida, will present Preserving MiMo as a Revitalization Strategy: Success and Contradiction in Miami. The Mimo district shares strong parallels with Sarasota’s North Tamiami Trail.

The event will be held at the historic Crocker Church, 1260 Twelfth Street in Sarasota. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7. A reception and book signing will follow at the adjacent Bidwell-Wood House. A minimum donation of $10.00 is requested. For more information, visit ArtspaceSRQ or contact Veronica Morgan.

Photo by Averette – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15375126
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When do JAM and OIL go together?

When it’s ARTISTS IN THE PARK and JAMMIN’ IN THE CROCKER day at the Historical Society on Sunday, January 17, 2016 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.!

Jack Dowd and Sal Garcia for your dancing pleasure atthe Historical Society of Sarasota CountyIt’ll be a feast for the ears and eyes when the internationally famous local sculptor, Jack Dowd, joins Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday, Owen… and thanks from all of us!

Owen Burns, courtesy of scgov.net, on HSoSC blogIf you’ve even admired Burns Court, or visited Woman’s Exchange in a building built by Owens to house the local newspaper, or used the Historical Resources archives, much of which was donated by daughter Lillian Burns, or had the pleasure to meet his younger daughter Harriet Burns Stieff who holds a Distinguished Service Award for the Historical Society, you haveOwen Burns, born this day in 1869 in Fredericktown MD,  to thank.

October 31st is Owens Burns’s birthday. Raise a glass to someone who made Sarasota what it is!

“He came to Sarasota in 1910 and was a leader in practically every movement that saw Sarasota grow from a fishing village to one of Florida’s leading resort cities,” the [Herald-Tribune obituary] said in 1937, without hyperbole.

At one point, Burns owned 75% of what is now the City of Sarasota. Who built Cà d’Zan? Owen Burns. Who was a Commodore of the Sarasota Yacht Club? Owen Burns. Who built and named a hotel after his wife… whom he met when she was vacationing in Sarasota? You guessed it.  The influence of Owen Burns on our area cannot be overstated.

Wikipedia on Owen Burns

Video from Sarasota History Alive! about Owen Burns

Influence of Owen Burns on Sarasota FL, by the Historical Society of Sarasota County

Click for a larger version of this map, published in 2011 by owenburns.com

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Too busy to join in on the Giving Challenge?

The Historical Society of Srasota County hopes you'll participate in The Giving Challenge in Sarasota County!The Giving Challenge is a wonderful opportunity for us all to join together in support of our favorite non-profits that make life so great here in Sarasota County.

And it’s nice to be part of the crowd… but what if you’ll be busy from noon on Tuesday Sept 1 to noon the next day, and unable to take the time to dig out your credit card, go online, find the link to HSoSC, and decide on a donation amount (tip: if you didn’t donate last year, your gift will be DOUBLED thanks to the Patterson Foundation so your gift means twice as much to the Historical Society!)?

The Historical Society' of Sarasota Countys Site ManagerAs usual, our charming Site Manager, Linda, can help you participate in the Giving Challenge! Just call our office at  941-364-9076 Tu-Fr 10 to 2, or email Linda directly 24/7 at HSoSC1@gmail.com and she can help you help us!

UPDATE: The link to go directly the HSoSC’s page in the Giving Challenge is https://www.givingpartnerchallenge.org/#npo/historical-society-of-sarasota-county It will only be operational between noon Tuesday Sept 1 and noon Weds, but you can bookmark it now!

We’re a part of Sarasota’s Premier Event, The Giving Challenge, Sept 1 & 2
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We’re a part of Sarasota’s Premier Event, The Giving Challenge, Sept 1 & 2

The Giving Challenge allows the Historical Society of Sarasota County to rise to new heights!

The Giving Challenge allows the Historical Society of Sarasota County to rise to new heights!

The Historical Society of Sarasota County, as an inaugural partner with the Giving Challenge, looks forward to your participation in the Giving Challenge, now in its fourth year. And this year, you don’t have to set your alarm to help HSoSC before dawn, because the Challenge runs from 24 hours, from Tuesday September 1 at 12 noon through Wednesday September 2 ending at 12noon.

UPDATE: The link to go directly the HSoSC’s page in the Giving Challenge is https://www.givingpartnerchallenge.org/#npo/historical-society-of-sarasota-county It will only be operational between noon Tuesday Sept 1 and noon Weds, but you can bookmark it now!

Did you miss us last year? If so, you can help us TWICE as much! The Patterson Foundation is Will you be busy during The Giving Challenge? You can still participate. Just call our Site Manager Linda at 941-364-9076 Tu-Fr 10 to 2, or email her 24/7 at HSoSC1@gmail.com and she can help you help us!
matching donations, up to $250 per new donor. Your donation, large or small, will be worth double the donation. If you’ve been a loyal supporter, we love you and your continuing participation, and would be thrilled if you would consider asking a family member, friend or neighbor to join us in this Challenge, letting them know how valuable their gift can be! New donors are donors who did not give to HSoSC in the 2014 Giving Challenge (May 6 & 7, 2014).

We will be posting the link for you to use during the Challenge.  It will not work until it is turned on at Noon on September 1, 2015.  Thanks so much for your past participation and we look forward to a generous family of friends and supporters during the event this year!!

Rather send a check? That’s lovely too, and will free you up from the time restrictions on Tuesday September 1 at 12 noon through Wednesday September 2 ending at 12noon.  Perfect solution if you’ll be traveling or otherwise occupied on those dates! The Society’s mailing address is  PO Box 1632, Sarasota FL 34230.

For more information, stay in touch here on the HSoSC blog, or contact Site Manager Linda Garcia at hsosc1@gmail.com or chat with her, 941-364-9076, Tues-Fri 10 to 2.

The 2015 Giving Challenge is made possible by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and The Patterson Foundation with support from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Manatee Community Foundation and the Herald-Tribune Media Group.

UPDATE: The link to go directly the HSoSC’s page in the Giving Challenge is https://www.givingpartnerchallenge.org/#npo/historical-society-of-sarasota-county It will only be operational between noon Tuesday Sept 1 and noon Weds, but you can bookmark it now!

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Old Greets New: Historical Society welcomes the Premiere Tour de SRQ

The oldest residence in Sarasota County was visited by the newest addition to our social scene, Tour de SRQ!

Jenny Townsend began her first Tour de SRQ series in May with a visit to the Historical Society in Pioneer Park.

As you can see, our Continue reading →

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Hero of History Award Presented; Distinguished Award Goes to Two

The Historical Society of Sarasota County was delighted to present awards to three recipients at its Annual Meeting.

2015 Hero of History Jeff LaHurd

Hero of History Jeff LaHurd

At its 2015 annual meeting on May 2 in the historic Crocker Memorial Church (1901), the Historical Society of Sarasota County presented three awards to community people who have made significant contributions to history education, preservation, research and programming.

Receiving the 2015 Hero of History award is Jeff LaHurd, historian, author and lecturer, who through his writings and public presentations continually educates the public about the history of Sarasota and Florida.

2015 Harriet Stieff Distinguished Service Award

Harriet Stieff Distinguished Service Award

Receiving awards for Distinguished Service were two Historical Society members with long records of service to the Society and to Sarasota County. They are: Viola Goldberg, a past president of the Historical Society and a current member of the Advisory Board and Harriet Burns Stieff, a past board member and current member of the Advisory Board. Mrs. Stieff is the youngest daughter of Owen Burns, a Sarasota history maker and one of Sarasota’s legendary early developers. Both of these women have been the subjects of video oral histories, and their memories about Sarasota in days gone by are available on CD in the library of the Historical Society.

Viola Goldberg Distinguished Service Award

Viola Goldberg Distinguished Service Award

In presenting the awards, Howard Rosenthal, President of the Historical Society, said

“We are extremely proud of and grateful for the accomplishments of all three of this year’s award recipients. Each one demonstrates how much individuals can do to keep the history of Sarasota County alive, not only for their own generation but for those generations yet to come.”

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Growing up in the Circus: Sarasota native tells all

Join Sarasota native, Sarah Wheeler Chapman, on April 15 at the Brown Bag Book Luncheon at the Historical Society of Sarasota County.

Chapman is the author of two books. Simply Sarah, her cookbook, is a light-hearted story done in a circus format with anecdotes of her circus family and their travels. It blends photos and 180 yummy recipes.

balancing act sarah wheeler chapmanChapman’s memoir, Balancing Act Memoir of a Florida Youth,  describes her five-acre home on Worrington Street and the Trail, her marriage to Danny Chapman, and her notable family: sister a beauty queen; aging dad who operated the Off Shore Bar on Bay Road; drop-dead gorgeous brother; strange mom; and herself, the quiet one busy with church, 4-H, and getting molested on Turtle Beach, at a time (1960), when kids were good.

Sarah kept secrets well…until she published her memoir in 2014. Determination and a keen sense of balance piloted her through her teens, the circus, parenting, and furthering her education. She shares insights from Ringling Circus, Clown College, and the perils of aerial work. The circus provides a backdrop to the deep topic of the memoir—abuse.

Don’t miss this chance to meet Sarah Wheeler Chapman at the last Brown Bag Book Lunch this season on April 15. No reservations needed. See you at 11:30 in the Crocker Memorial Church, and remember to pack a lunch! Beverages provided by the Historical Society. BBBLs are free to members and $5 for guests. Both of Chapman’s books will be available for purchase and autographing at the luncheon.

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A Roof-top Shout Out to the Arts and Cultural Alliance!

Arts and Cultural Alliance Awards a Grant to the Historical Society of Sarasota County
Timely  grant of $4,000 from the John Ringling Towers Fund goes directly to preservation efforts at Crocker Memorial Church

 

Crocker Memorial Church dates from the first days of the 20th century

Crocker Memorial Church dates from 1901 and was originally at what is now Tamiami Trail and Bee Ridge Road.

A timely award of a $4,000 grant from the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County to the Historical Society of Sarasota County has gone immediately to a project to stabilize and preserve the metal roof on the 1901 Crocker Memorial Church building at Pioneer Park in Sarasota. The heritage building, which is under the protection of the Historical Society, is the headquarters for the Historical Society and is used almost daily by the community for weddings, civic and cultural club meetings, music recitals, theater rehearsals, history book club, and for monthly membership meetings of the Historical Society as well as for Historical Society sponsored educational programs (including docent-led tours) that are open to the public.

 

“The Crocker Memorial Church building is our town’s model of a historical building that has eluded the wrecking ball through adaptive use,” said Site Manager, Linda Garcia. “Ever since it was built by Peter Crocker and his neighbors in 1901 at what is now the corner of Bee Ridge Road and US 41, it has been in constant use, first as a place of worship for several different congregations and since 2006 as a community gathering place. The building has been moved three times over the decades but now has a permanent home at Pioneer Park on 12th Street where the Historical Society is charged with protecting and preserving it.”

 

The grant money from the John Ringling Towers Fund at the Arts and Cultural Alliance has been combined with member and community donations from the Historical Society’s annual appeal to make critical repairs to the Crocker roof. We thank the Alliance and our members and supporters for helping us keep a Sarasota landmark dry and safe!