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The History Center

If you haven’t heard about the History Center, here’s a little bit about their team:

• The Preservation Specialist reviews permits and works with local architects and builders to help preserve our county's historic buildings and structures.
• The County Archaeologist reviews known and potential archaeological sites to ensure that our pre-historic heritage remains understood and protected.
• The Collections Curator works to preserve and maintain collections of materials which document Sarasota County’s history. From digitizing to processing incoming donations, the Collections Curator works diligently so that more people can enjoy Sarasota County’s history both now and in the future.
• The Assistant Manager schedules and assists with tours and research inquiries. If you are interested in a tour or conducting research at the History Center, please reach out to the Assistant Manager to get started.

History Center Contact Information:

Research/Collections: 941-861-6090
Preservation: 941-861-6889
Archaeology: 941-861-6882

Web: scgov.net/history

Part One of the History Center’s “Big Move” is On Schedule

Thanks to the recent renewal of Sarasota County’s one-cent surtax, funding is now available for a new 30,000-square-foot History Center building adjacent to the Fruitville Public Library at 100 Apex Road, just east of Interstate 75.
The new center won’t open until 2026 or so, but the moving process is already underway. The History Center has moved into temporary quarters at the old Osprey Schoolhouse on Tamiami Trail. The address is:

337 N Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229

This beautiful 1927 building was previously the visitor center for Historic Spanish Point, and it is currently the home of the Osprey Public Library. The most frequently used materials from the History Center’s collection will reside with the staff at the new temporary Osprey location, while the rest of the collection will be stored in secure, climate-controlled county buildings elsewhere.

Public access to the full collection will continue even during this phase. Staff will make regular trips to the temporary storage facilities to retrieve materials requested by the public for research purposes.

One big advantage of being at Osprey is that the History Center will now have access to a large public meeting room for hosting lectures, workshops, pop-up exhibits, and other programs. Sarasota County’s Historical Commission and Historic Preservation Board will also begin meeting at the Osprey location. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting new development.