Historical Society Receives Grant for Security Cameras at Two Historic Buildings

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County awards funds to further historic preservation through security cameras at the historic Bidwell-Wood House and the Crocker Memorial Church at Pioneer Park

The Historical Society of Sarasota County is the recipient of a grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County for a security camera system for the historic Bidwell-Wood House (1882) and the Crocker Memorial Church (1901). The grant, in the amount of $3,770, is from the Frances T. Bourne Fund at The Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

“It’s a sad fact that almost any historical site, monument, or even museum in our country can be a target of senseless vandalism,” said Historical Society president Howard Rosenthal, “but we can all be encouraged that through modern security technology, we can discourage and diminish violence to places we strive to preserve for future generations. This grant for security cameras at Sarasota County’s oldest private residence and at the Crocker Memorial Church demonstrates that our community takes pride in Sarasota history and supports the structures that bear witness to our pioneer past. The whole community can be thankful and grateful for this grant from The Community Foundation because it helps Historical Society members preserve and protect these important buildings.”

In 2006 the Bidwell-Wood House and the Crocker Memorial Church were moved by the City of Sarasota to Pioneer Park and placed under the protection of the Historical Society of Sarasota County, a nonprofit community membership organization of approximately 400 annual and life members. The mission of the Historical Society of Sarasota County is to create public awareness of the rich historical heritage of Sarasota and the State of Florida. The Society encourages inquiry, research, memorabilia preservation and protection of historic sites. The Bidwell-Wood House and the Crocker Memorial Church are open for docent-led tours and for community events organized under the auspices of the Historical Society.

December 11 1925 – June 26 2013

We mourn the passing of Cy Bispham, and extend our condolences to his wife, Doris and the family.

We were honored to have featured the Bisphams at a past meeting of the Historical Society of Sarasota County.

Read his obituary in the local paper.

Read an article about Bisphams’ Dairy on Sarasota History Alive, and what Jeff Lahurd wrote about Cy.

Crocker Church is all ready to host YOUR event!

Our campus in Pioneer Park has been bustling this past week: visitors and shoppers and even some alumni!

Plein Air painters, city planners, and some pony-tailed guy installing a bird bath. People playing instruments, people discussing books, people having lunch on the Back Porch. Weeders in our herb garden, butterflies all over, and even some folks who were looking for the Manatee Historical Park.

If your group, family, club need a centrally-located, historic, pleasant place for a gathering, and if you want to help us protect, preserve, and polish two of the oldest buildings in Sarasota County, visit our Facility Rentals page, then give us a call!

How Our Garden Grows

A history and update of the gardens at the Sarasota Historical Society
By Marsha Fottler, HSOSC Board VP and Landscaping Chair

After the Bidwell-Wood House and the Crocker Memorial Church came to rest side-by-side at Pioneer Park in 2006, the land in front of and surrounding the buildings were sprinkled with car-friendly white gravel and some green ground cover. The property was already home to some trees – pines, palms and an imposing pig-nut hickory. Catering to the needs of the two historic structures was paramount; the ground they sat upon, not so much.

Then three years ago, Continue reading →

Florida is celebrating 500 years since the arrival of Ponce de Leon and the history and cultural diversity in our state over 5 centuries!

We’re proud to be a participant in Viva Florida 500, and this event at the Crocker Church on Sunday afternoon, February 24, is part of the state-wide celebration!

How much do YOU know about the Civil War in Florida? You’ll know more after Continue reading →