Since we’re the Historical Society of Sarasota County, we love all things old…
…so we’re looking forward to this year’s Continue reading
January is indeed the height of the year in Sarasota
Happy New Year!
We’re pleased to have you with us in this new year, and look forward to seeing you at our first meeting of 2012 on Tuesday, Jan 10th, 2012 at 7PM, Crocker Church @ HSOSC (https://hsosc.com/ ) :
Panel Discussion: Looking Back With…..
Listen in as our distinguished guest show you their Sarasota and how it has changed in the past 50 years!
A Panel Discussion with Artist- Richard Capes (http://www.richardcapes.com/) , Architect – Carl Abbott (http://carlabbott.com/ ), Symphony Director – Paul Wolfe (http://www.sarasotaorchestra.org/sarasotamusicfestival/paulwolfe.cfm) & Moderator – Lou Ann Palmer
More this month:
- SOLD OUT The Victorian Doll House High Tea on Sunday January 8 has a few spots left: call or email now.
- The Watercolor Journaling Class is every Wednesday this month; join us for one morning or all of them!
- Autobiography in 3 Easy Steps is a four-session class starting Thursday Jan. 26.
- Sold Out. Next available Trolley Tours Sat. Feb. 18, March 10, March 31. CALL 364-9076 NOW! Click for more details. We have some very special guests coming with us on the Saturday January 21 Historic Downtown Trolley Tour, so join us, won’t you?
- SOLD OUT: Join a select group of HS members on the intimate, expert-escorted trip “behind the scenes” at Ca’ D’Zan on Tuesday Jan. 24.
- The Restoration Event scheduled for later this month has been cancelled.
- January is dues-re-upping time. Make checks payable to The Historical Society of Sarasota County and mail to: P.O. Box 1632 Sarasota, Florida 34230 The Historical Society of Sarasota County is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation
Tell the world:
Extra, extra, read all about it!
I 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.
Tell the world:
2012 Winter Classes on the Back Porch
Click on this link to check out the upcoming classes: classes winter 2012
Tell the world:
The artist within: a wonderful gift for others and yourself
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” –Pablo Picasso
Lucinda Hathaway found the watercolorist within herself late in life. Just three years ago, already a published author and grandmother, she discovered the joys of journaling with watercolors and brush in Maine while sailing on Penobscot Bay.
Now you can explore how to honor your journey through life with this easy, enjoyable technique. Join Lucinda, internationally known-water color journaling teacher, at the Historical Society’s Back Porch Classes in January. Classes will be held all four Wednesdays (January 4, 11, 18 and 25) from 9:30a to 12n. Beginners always welcome. Join the group for one class or all four! Call the HS Office Mon-Fri between 10a and 2p at 941 364 9076 to reserve your spot. $30 per class per student. Casses are limited to 5-10 students for full advantage of Lucinda’s attention and instruction.
Give a class, or all 4, to yourself, a friend, or best of all, yourself and a friend. Will 2012 be the year you release the artist within?
Materials needed :
- 140# watercolor paper as a sheet or in a journal
- watercolors
- waterproof ink pen
- #6 brush
Read more about our instructor Lucinda Hathaway here, and see how she inspires even the youngest here.
Tell the world:
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.Tell the world:
Renew now to save, and speak up to have fun!
Members!! Members !! Members !!!
News Alert – 2 Items:
#1 – The Board of Directors voted for an increase in our membership dues beginning January 1, 2012. Single membership will be $30, Family membership, $50 and a Lifetime membership, $300. Please send in your renewal or call the HSOSC office at 941-364-9076, M-F 10 to 2, and charge your renewal quickly and easily.
#2 – Member Survey – Please fill out this form: Member Survey October 2011 at your earliest convenience and return to us. We need to know for what our members would like to participate in to help us raise operating funds. Just print out the survey, fill it in, bring it to our next meeting or event, or drop it in the mail to us at: HSOSC, PO Box 1632, Sarasota, FL 34230.
Tell the world:
Trees – WOW
We 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.
Tell the world:
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!!!
Tell the world:
This day in 1885: High hopes
On this day in 1885, The almost-100 participants in the Ormiston Colony left Glasgow 
bound 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.
Tell the world:
Holiday Potluck with History-Loving Friends December 13
Just 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!
Tell the world:
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.
Tell the world:
Donation of Dining Room Table!!
Nancy 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.
Tell the world:
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! 
As 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.
Tell the world:
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.
The Historical Society of Sarasota County 