Welcome to VAHS
Preserve the Venice Depot's Circus Train Heritage! Both the Gulf Coast Community
Foundation and the Kathleen K. Catlin Foundation at the Community
Foundation of Sarasota County have awarded significant grants to VAHS to
help preserve the Venice Depot's Circus Train Heritage! VAHS welcomes
Gulf Coast and the Community Foundation as partners in preserving
Venice's Circus and railroad heritage in a visible and exciting way.
For more information about the project, see the Circus Train Page.
Pictures of the circus car's renovation and its prior move to Venice. September 2019-Royal Air Conditioning and Heating has begun to mount HVAC equipment.
September 2019-The exterior repair and painting are virtually complete, with only a final coat of paint and a clear coat remaining to be applied on one side of the car.
June 2019 End 2 of Circus Train Car
June 2019 End 1 of Circus Train Car
Side 1 as of May 2019.
VAHS is grateful to master craftsman Bill Dovel for creating a scale model of the Venice Circus Arena to be displayed in the Circus Train Car.
Steel roof has been replaced with two layers of vinyl providing a 10-year warranty. The underlying steel roof was found to be in excellent condition.
Side 1 before renovations.
Side 1 as of November 2018.
Side 2 before renovations.
Side 2 as of November 2018.
Corner detail before renovations.
Corner detail as of November 2018.
Short Leaf Pine in early morning fog before move to Venice on 12/22/16.
Car is raised with jacks, and orange metal girders and wheeled dollies are placed under it.
Each dolly has eight wheels.
Car is prepared for departure.
Front-loader pulls the car onto the road.
The car is connected to the Johnson & Sons cab with counter-weight behind it.
Before departure, Johnson & Sons employees secure air brakes and electrical connections for brake lights.
The Short Leaf Pine departs for Venice under bright sunny skies.
On the road!
Traveling through Parrish, Florida.
The car straddles Spur Avenue in Venice before being pulled into the yard of Uni-Glide Trailer Company.
The journey is complete.
VAHS members celebrate the arrival of the Train Car.
Johnson & Sons employees lift the car with jacks and prepare to remove dollies.
The dollies are pulled out from underneath the car.
The car will rest on these supports while it is being refurbished at Uniglide Trailer Company.
Visiting Venice's Historic Depot If you are considering a trip to the Historic Venice Train Depot, either for yourself, your family and friends, or a large group, check out relevant information at The Depot.
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We Need Your Help! Fundraising is ongoing for the Circus Train project and VAHS programs. 
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Join VAHS
There are many benefits to becoming a member of VAHS. All members
receive both the Society’s newsletter and first-hand notification of
Society events. Members also participate in Society decision making
by attending member meetings. To become a member of VAHS, download this Membership Brochure.
VAHS Proud Partner of
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Contact Us information@veniceareahistoricalsociety.org 941-412-0151 PO Box 995 Venice, FL 34284-0995 | VAHS Proud Member of
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