Since its inception, the Society has sponsored historic plaques for Venice-area buildings.  Currently, the Society is identifying appropriate commercial buildings for historic plaque designation.  The buildings are located in an area of Venice entitled The John Nolen Plan of Venice Historic District, an area that was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.  For more information, please refer to the Research Page of this website.  The historic Plaque Program is funded through the generosity of the Ehrhart Family Foundation.

#1. 351 Nassau Street South: The Triangle Inn

This plaque was prepared in 1996 by the Venice Historic Preservation League, Inc., later doing business as the Venice Area Historical Society (VAHS).  It was the first plaque of any size created for installation on or adjacent to an historic building in the City of Venice by the Society.  In June 1996, the plaque was presented to Dorothy Korwek, a former city councilwoman and, later, the city's Director of Historical Resources, by Jack Howell, President of the League.  Ms. Korwek's efforts in coordinating the restoration of this historic structure resulted in its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in February 1996.  The plaque is currently mounted on the external west wall to the left of the original front door, facing Nassau Street.

The building, with its unusual triangular shape, was originally constructed in 1927 as a rooming house or inn and was located on a wedge-shaped lot at the intersection of Pensacola Road and Nassau Street.  Over the years, the inn was home to piano teachers, secretaries, prospective land buyers, tarpon fishermen, and visitors escaping the cold during winter months.  In World War II, it provided lodging to civilian employees of the Venice Army Air Base and married military personnel.  Following the war, it became a private home and later served as an apartment building until it was acquired by the City of Venice in 1991.  Shortly thereafter, in accordance with provisions in the deed of transfer, the building was moved from its original location to its current site, a city-owned block, where it was restored to its 1927 configuration.  It now serves as a museum and archival storage facility for the city.

#2. 229 W. Venice Avenue:  Ennes Arcade and Hotel Valencia

This plaque was installed in 2000 by the Venice Historic Preservation League, Inc., later doing business as the Venice Area Historical Society (VAHS).  It was the first descriptive, full-size plaque mounted on an historic building in Venice.  Cast in bronze-coated aluminum for durability and appearance, it is mounted on the outside wall of T. J. Carney's facing the sidewalk.

#3.  200 Nassau Ave. North:  The Hotel Venice

This plaque was installed in 2002 by the Venice Area Historical Society (VAHS).  It was the second descriptive, full-size plaque mounted on an historic building in the City of Venice.  Cast in bronze-coated aluminum for durability and appearance, the plaque is mounted on the outside of the south wall (facing Tampa Avenue) that surrounds the former hotel, now known as the Summit at Venice Assisted Living & Memory Care.

# 5. 238 Tampa Avenue:  San Marco Hotel

This plaque was installed in 2012 by the Venice Area Historical Society (VAHS).  It was the fourth descriptive, full-size plaque mounted on an historic building in the City of Venice.  Cast in bronze-coated aluminum for durability and appearance, the plaque is mounted on the external south side wall of the building next to the center door facing Tampa Avenue.  The building, now called the Venice Centre Mall, houses several retail operations on the first floor and condominiums on the two upper floors.

This plaque was installed in early 2016 by the Venice Area Historical Society (VAHS).  It was the fifth descriptive, full-size plaque mounted on an historic building in the City of Venice, cast in bronze-coated aluminum for durability and appearance.  The plaque is mounted on the external west wall of the building next to the front door, facing Harbor Drive.  The building was originally constructed in 1926 as a single family home and has served a number of purposes in the intervening years.  For almost thirty years, it was a noted bed-and- breakfast.  It is now, once again, the personal residence of the owners with certain provisions for seasonal renters.