Sarasota County History Center Community Outreach
The Sarasota County History Center offers a wide variety of presentations and research tutorials throughout the year. Some are scheduled by History Center staff at public venues around the county, but organizations may also request a presentation for their members. Most presentations can be offered either virtually or in person. There is no charge for this service, but it is subject to staff and resource availability. To request a presentation, contact History Center Manager Dr. Josh Goodman by phone at 941-861-6883 or by email at jgoodman@scgov.net.
Presentation Examples:
How Florida Got Its Shape – Of the fifty states, Florida has one of the most distinctive and widely recognized shapes. But how did that familiar shape come to exist? Obviously the state’s 1,350-mile coastline defines the majority of it, but what about its borders to the north and west? It might surprise you to learn that “Florida” has at various times stretched as far north as present-day Virginia and as far west as the Mississippi River. The current shape of Florida was settled during a fascinating era before the region was a U.S. state. In those days, Florida was actually an international borderland. Join the staff of the Sarasota County History Center for a brief journey into that era–illustrated with maps and records explaining exactly how and why Florida acquired its well-known shape. (Length: 1 hour)
John Hamilton Gillespie and Golf in Sarasota – John Hamilton Gillespie was a man of many talents. He first arrived in Sarasota in 1886 to help rescue the fledgling community after his father’s company struggled to establish a colony of Scottish settlers. He went on to become a prominent developer and one of Sarasota’s staunchest promoters. He even served as the town’s first mayor when it incorporated in 1902. He is probably best remembered, however, for his role in getting Sarasota and the surrounding region hooked on the game of golf. A golfer since the age of eight, Gillespie designed courses all around Florida, but he put special effort into making Sarasota a golfing destination. Join the staff of the Sarasota County History Center for a closer look at the fascinating life of John Hamilton Gillespie and his impact on the game of golf in our region. The presentation will feature a variety of documents, photographs, and historical artifacts from the History Center’s collections relating to Gillespie and his golfing career. (Length: 1 hour)
The History of Florida Mullet – At first blush, most folks wouldn’t think of mullet as a very interesting fish. Some may not even be aware that a mullet is a fish and not just a hairstyle! All jokes aside, this peculiar jumping fish has a fascinating history in Florida. From the days when the mighty Calusa Indians ruled our region up through our own era, mullet resurface again and again to play a role in some of the most fascinating and unusual stories in our state’s past. Join the staff of the Sarasota County History Center for a REAL fishing story about this unique Florida mainstay. Seriously, it’s all true! (Length: 1 hour)
A Bit of the Old World in the New: Mediterranean Revival Architecture in Sarasota County – Many of the oldest buildings in Sarasota County feature charming references to Spanish and Italian themes-stucco walls, archways, barrel-tile roofs, and elaborate ornamentation. But where did this fascination with the Old World come from, and how did it arrive in our area? There’s more to it than just the venerable beauty of the buildings-this Mediterranean Revival style of architecture has a uniquely Floridian backstory. Join the staff of the Sarasota County History Center for an exploration of the history of Mediterranean Revival architecture and its role in building the Sarasota County we know today. (Length: 1 hour)
The Leading Ladies of Sarasota County – Sarasota County has been profoundly shaped by the contributions of local women in business, education, philanthropy, and political leadership. In this program, we’ll explore the stories of some of the county’s most inspiring leading ladies, ranging from newspaper editor Rose Phillips Wilson to educators Emma Booker and Eugenie Clark to philanthropists Marie Selby and Mable Ringling, and of course the innovative businesswoman and developer Bertha Palmer. We’ll use photographs, correspondence, and other archival records from the collections of the Sarasota County History Center to help illuminate the lives of these remarkable citizens. (Length: 1 hour)
The Many Origins of Sarasota – How old is Sarasota? – That depends on what you’re asking. Sarasota is a city, a county, and a bay – each with its own origin story. Join the staff of the Sarasota County History Center for a closer look at the history of Sarasota in all its forms, a story that stretches back to the Spanish colonial era and ties in with some of the most exciting developments of Florida’s fascinating past. The program will feature maps, photographs, and archival records from the History Center’s collections. (Length: 1 hour)
The Ormiston Colony and the Scottish Origins of the Town of Sarasota – With all the Mediterranean architecture in Sarasota, who would have guessed that many of the town’s first settlers were Scottish? It all started when the Florida Mortgage and Investment Company acquired a hefty chunk of Florida real estate and began marketing it to both Americans and Europeans in the 1880s. A group of more than 50 would-be colonists sailed from Glasgow in 1885 to make their fortunes in Sarasota, but what they found when they arrived didn’t exactly match the description in the brochure! Join the staff of the Sarasota County History Center for a closer look at Sarasota’s fascinating Scottish origins. The program will incorporate archival materials from the History Center’s collections, including an original 1886 plat of the town of Sarasota. (Length: 1 hour)
The Tamiami Trail and the Development of Florida’s Gulf Coast in the 1920s – The 275-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 41 between Tampa and Miami is called the Tamiami Trail. To the casual observer it looks like every other major highway in the area, but this strip of pavement played a big role in the development of Florida’s Gulf coast. Because of its route through the Everglades, it was in many ways an engineering marvel of its time, and it even resulted in the creation of a new county! Join the staff of the Sarasota County History Center for a closer look at the fascinating history of this iconic scenic Florida byway and its impact on the Gulf coast. (Length: 1 hour)
Tin Can Tourism in Florida – In the early 1900s, tourists visiting Florida by automobile had fewer choices for lodging and services, which led many of them to camp at their destination in tents or homemade trailers. These so-called “tin can tourists” were a resourceful bunch, building seasonal communities in towns all over the state, including Sarasota. Join the staff of the Sarasota County History Center for a deeper dive into the history of tin can tourism in our area, featuring items from the History Center’s extensive collection of records and artifacts.
