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Calendar of Events

If you "Switch to Calendar View" below, events are color-coded.  The following colors represent the type of event:  purple for the VAHS Traveling Exhibitions, tan for Events, red for Depot Campus schedule, teal for The Betty Intagliata Lecture Series and the Venice Centennial Lecture Series, and pink for Discover Sarasota Tours - The Venice Circus Tours.

Upcoming events

  • Home & Garden Tour - The Historic Curry Farmhouse

    • March 13, 2026
    • 10:00 AM
    • March 14, 2026
    • 4:00 PM
    • 1212 Lucille Avenue, Nokomis, FL 34275
    • 0

    Step Back in Time!

    HISTORIC FARMHOUSE TOUR AND PLANT SALE

    As part of its annual Home & Garden Tour, the Venice Area Garden Club (VAGC) has offered VAHS members twenty-five tickets for a discounted price of $10 each to tour the historic Curry Farmhouse. In addition, each ticket includes the opportunity to visit the plant and garden shop, and the garden craft show.  Ticketholders can attend either March 13th or 14th between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.  Tickets may be purchased by clicking the link below.  VAGC will have the list of the VAHS ticketholders at the door.

    This is a rare opportunity to tour this historic farmhouse and gardens.  It is believed to be the oldest farmhouse in Sarasota County in situ, was built by the Curry family, and was the site of the first Venice Post Office in the early 1900's.  The current owner has maintained the character of the farmhouse while filling it with antiques, artwork, and whimsical accessories.  The garden features 100-year-old oak trees.

    Only a limited number of tickets have been made available, so buy yours today!

    tickets

    NO REFUNDS



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  • Depot & Circus Car Tours - closes at 1:00 pm

    • March 14, 2026
    • April 29, 2026
    • 21 sessions
    • 303 East Venice Avenue Venice, FL 34285

    PLEASE NOTE:  Tours are given between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm.


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  • Discover Sarasota Tours - The Venice Circus Tour

    • March 17, 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
    • Venice Area Chamber of Commerce 597 S Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34285


    Discover Sarasota Tours is pleased to announce the return of the beloved Venice Trolley Tours in 2026.  The Venice Circus Tour led by Bob Collins will run January through April.  This tour runs every other Tuesday starting at 1:00 pm.  It leaves from the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce which provides ample free parking.  It includes a stop at the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot and the Circus Car Museum.

    Tour tickets and information are available online at

    DiscoverSarasotaTours.com

    or by calling 941-260-9818

    For Groups of up to thirty, email

    info@DiscoverSarasotaTours.com

    Show details

  • The Betty Intagliata Lecture Series - Irvin Lewin

    • March 17, 2026
    • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • 1971 Pinebrook Rd, Venice, FL 34292

    John Nolen’s Venice and Mariemont Projects: Communities in Contrast


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  • Pop-Up Meet-Up at the KMI Building

    • March 26, 2026
    • 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • 200 Nassau Street S Venice, FL 34285
    Join waitlist

    Come, Celebrate the KMI History with Us...

    VAHS is pleased to invite you to a special Pop-Up Meet-Up at the KMI building complex on Thursday, March 26 from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm.  Local author, historian, and KMI graduate Larry Humes will share the history of the buildings, with a few stories about his days as a cadet.  We will gather in the KMI Clubhouse, located at 200 Nassau Street S, behind the main KMI building.  Follow the VAHS signs!

    A cash bar will be provided by Octovino Wine Bar (cash or credit), and appetizers will be available.  Following Larry's remarks, you may visit the main floor of the KMI Building and see the KMI Exhibit of information panels and photographs.  Larry will be available to answer questions you may have.

    This event is limited to fifty people.  There will be a five-dollar donation to guarantee your reservation.  Please RSVP ASAP so as to not miss this event.



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  • Discover Sarasota Tours - The Venice Circus Tour

    • March 31, 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
    • Venice Area Chamber of Commerce 597 S Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34285


    Discover Sarasota Tours is pleased to announce the return of the beloved Venice Trolley Tours in 2026.  The Venice Circus Tour led by Bob Collins will run January through April.  This tour runs every other Tuesday starting at 1:00 pm.  It leaves from the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce which provides ample free parking.  It includes a stop at the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot and the Circus Car Museum.

    Tour tickets and information are available online at

    DiscoverSarasotaTours.com

    or by calling 941-260-9818

    For Groups of up to thirty, email

    info@DiscoverSarasotaTours.com

    Show details

  • Discover Sarasota Tours - The Venice Circus Tour

    • April 07, 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
    • Venice Area Chamber of Commerce 597 S Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34285


    Discover Sarasota Tours is pleased to announce the return of the beloved Venice Trolley Tours in 2026.  The Venice Circus Tour led by Bob Collins will run January through April.  This tour runs every other Tuesday starting at 1:00 pm.  It leaves from the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce which provides ample free parking.  It includes a stop at the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot and the Circus Car Museum.

    Tour tickets and information are available online at

    DiscoverSarasotaTours.com

    or by calling 941-260-9818

    For Groups of up to thirty, email

    info@DiscoverSarasotaTours.com

    Show details

  • Giving Challenge 2026

    • April 15, 2026
    • 12:00 PM
    • April 16, 2026
    • 12:00 PM
    • Online

    Official Logos


    Click Here to Donate to Venice Area Historical Society during the Giving Challenge


    April 9-10, 2026

    Noon-Noon


    Preserve Key Historic Assets at

    Venice Train Depot

    Support the Ongoing Critical Initiatives of the Society

    The Patterson Foundation Will Match All Donations 1:1

    between $25 and $100


    VAHS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and has registered with the State of Florida to solicit contributions.  A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES AT WWW.800HELPFLA.COM OR BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN (800-435-7352) OR OUTSIDE (850-410-3800) FLORIDA.  REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.” Ch 32089

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  • Discover Sarasota Tours - The Venice Circus Tour

    • April 21, 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
    • Venice Area Chamber of Commerce 597 S Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34285


    Discover Sarasota Tours is pleased to announce the return of the beloved Venice Trolley Tours in 2026.  The Venice Circus Tour led by Bob Collins will run January through April.  This tour runs every other Tuesday starting at 1:00 pm.  It leaves from the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce which provides ample free parking.  It includes a stop at the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot and the Circus Car Museum.

    Tour tickets and information are available online at

    DiscoverSarasotaTours.com

    or by calling 941-260-9818

    For Groups of up to thirty, email

    info@DiscoverSarasotaTours.com

    Show details

  • The Betty Intagliata Lecture Series - Les Standiford

    • April 21, 2026
    • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • 1971 Pinebrook Rd, Venice, FL 34292

    Battle for the Big Top: The Death-Defying Saga of the American Circus

    Les Standiford is the author of 25 critically acclaimed books, including 10 novels and the New York Times best-selling non-fiction Last Train to Paradise, now in its 40th printing.  His novel Spill and his non-fiction work The Man Who Invented Christmas, a New York Times Editors’ Choice, were made into feature films.  The latter starred Christopher Plummer and Dan Stevens and was reviewed on MSNBC in 2024 as “the most underrated Christmas film of the 21st Century,” and has been listed by numerous publications, including Good Housekeeping and The San Francisco Chronicle, as among the Top Ten Christmas films of all time.

    He is a Distinguished University Professor of English and Founding Director of the Creative Writing Program at FIU, and holds the MA and PhD in literature and creative writing from the University of Utah.  In Spring 2024 he was named a “Florida Icon” by Florida Trend magazine, an honor awarded to individuals such as H. Wayne Huizenga, Janet Reno, Bobby Bowden, and Stetson Kennedy.  His book Battle for the Big Top, which examines the cultural influence of the American Circus, received the 2022 Gold Medal for General Interest Non-Fiction from the Florida Book Awards.

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VAHS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and has registered with the State of Florida to solicit contributions.  A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN (800-435-7352) OR OUTSIDE (850-410-3800) FLORIDA.  REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.” Ch 32089

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® and The Greatest Show On Earth® trademarks are used under license from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows, Inc.

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