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Calendar of Events

Upcoming events

    • November 07, 2025
    • December 04, 2025
    • 390 Nokomis Ave S, Venice, FL 34285

    You are cordially invited to the Opening Night Reception of the Venice Area Historical Society's Centennial Celebration Exhibit at the Venice Art Center on Friday, November 7th.  Admission is FREE and complimentary refreshments are generously provided by the Venice Art Center.

    The Venice Centennial officially kicks off with the Holiday Parade, but VAHS is starting the celebration a little early.

    Celebrate History with Us!

    • November 18, 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • 1971 Pinebrook Rd, Venice, FL 34292

    Working on the Railroad:  The BLE & Venice

    • December 09, 2025
    • 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • 300 Nokomis Ave S, Venice, FL 34285

    The Venice Project:  Beyond the Garden City

    • December 16, 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • 1971 Pinebrook Rd, Venice, FL 34292

    The Lost Creeks of Venice


    • January 13, 2026
    • 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • 300 Nokomis Ave S, Venice, FL 34285

    The Life of Ann Worthington

    • January 20, 2026
    • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • 1971 Pinebrook Rd, Venice, FL 34292

    Venice’s Design Started with Nature

    • February 10, 2026
    • 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • 300 Nokomis Ave S, Venice, FL 34285

    Women in Florida History

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

    The Brotherhood of Man in Nature, John Nolen’s Plan for Venice, Florida


    • March 03, 2026
    • 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • 300 Nokomis Ave S, Venice, FL 34285

    A Reflective View of Venice

    • 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


    • 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.

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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