Sarasota Alliance For Historic Preservation
23rd Annual Meeting
Join the Alliance for refreshments followed by a short business meeting, including the election of directors. The meeting will conclude with a presentation on the Mable Ringling Fountain renovation project with FSU Master Craftsman Philip Gleason, who will talk about the process of recasting the fountain’s main sculpture and re-creation of the center bowl. Alliance board members Larry Kelleher, D’ Calvert and Ron McCarty will also speak on the fountain’s history, the renovation process, and progress thus far.
The meeting will be held on April 25, 2013, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Sarasota County Visitor Information Center and History Center Museum, located at 701 North Tamiami Trail. Come and join us for an enjoyable evening.
The Mable Ringling Memorial Fountain Project
Mable Ringling arrived in Sarasota just over one hundred years ago with her circus magnate husband, John, and left a legacy of outstanding contributions. She was the first President of Sarasota's Founder's Circle, and after she passed away in 1929, the Sarasota Federation of Garden Circles wanted to honor her service with a memorial fountain and reflection pool. This beautiful tribute to her was placed in the new Luke Wood Park in 1936. This project was years in the making, since the park had to be cleared and developed to accept thousands of trees, shrubs and flowering plants.
By World War II, the memorial fountain fell into disrepair from lack of maintenance funding; it finally was filled in with dirt, and remains that way today. The Alliance has received permission from the Sarasota City Commission to renovate this once extraordinary piece of our history. A community project has been established which seeks to involve the entire community and in the end, make Sarasotans proud of their accomplishment.
This undertaking will not rely on taxpayer funds, but solely on donations, grants, and in-kind contributions of services, equipment, expertise, supplies, landscaping, lighting, and statuary castings. Volunteers are needed and welcome. Soon, we will advise how you can become involved. Meanwhile, to learn more about the project download the brochure and donation form.
Best Opportunities in Historic Preservation Tours
Recently, the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation created a new program, “Best Opportunities in Historic Preservation”, to bring attention to important buildings of architectural and historical significance in our area. The charming 1955-56 Taylor House in Venice, which exemplifies the melding of the modern with adaptations for the Florida climate, is a fine example of the seminal work of Paul Rudolph, the internationally-recognized architect and former dean of the School of Architecture at Yale University and thus, was selected as the object of our first tour.
During the tour, Joe King, co-author of Paul Rudolph: The Florida Houses, discussed the life and times of Paul Rudolph and designer Wilson Stiles discussed the original interiors of the home. Following these discussions, 100 guests toured the home, while enjoying refreshments.
The June 20 tour of this little-known Paul Rudolph designed home was met with great enthusiasm by historians, modernists, and preservationists, alike, and their parting words included praise and appreciation for our new program.
Tours of other “Best Opportunities in Historic Preservation” will occur as they are discovered. If you are interested in attending our next tour, please send your name and email address to sahp.mailbox@gmail.com, and you will be added to our mailing list.
Sarasota Alliance For Historic Preservation, inc. All rights Reserved
PO Box. 1754 - Sarasota, FL 34230 (941) 953-8727
An affiliate of the Sarasota History Alive! Network
CONTACT US
Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation,Inc.
Post Office Box 1754
Sarasota, Florida 34230
(941) 953-8727
sahp.mailbox@gmail.com
MEMBERSHIP
Benefits of membership include participaton in historic homes tours, walking tours, rehabilitation projects, workshops, seminars and much more. Please join us by completing this form and sending it to the address below in the Contact Us section.
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There are a variety of ways to support the Alliance's mission. One way is through the purchase of books about Sarasota's history. Click here for more information.
NEWSLETTER
The Alliance publishes quarterly newsletters containing up to date information on Alliance activities.Newsletters are mailed to members free of charge.