SUMMER 2025

Contents

• President's Letter
• Calendar of Events
• From the Membership Committee
• Member Events - Summer 2025
• VAHS Wants You!
• New Member Orientation
• Membership / Donor Levels
• Pop-Up Meet-Up
• Depot Campus
• VAHS Salutes
• Collection Highlights
• VAHS Traveling Exhibition

• Did You Know...
• Projects
• John Nolen Statue
• Circus Mural
• Caboose Renovations
• Betty Intagliata Lecture Series
• Venice Centennial Lecture Series
• Speakers Bureau
• Around Town
• VAHS Scholarship
• Certificate of Distinction
• Marketing Brochures
• Centennial Celebration
• Welcome New Members
• VAHS Business Members
• Membership Application

President's Letter

Summer 2025

Frank Wright

The time is now . . . to be a part of a special place in Venice history.  VAHS has joined with the premier public arts organization - the Venice Area Beautification, Inc. ("VABI") - to install a "monumental" piece of public art:  a statue of the first city planner in the country - John Nolen.  In commemoration of Nolen's contribution to the design of the City of Venice, together with VABI, we have designed a special statue to be installed in the appropriately named Centennial Park.  Please see below for photos of the mock-up of the statue. 

All that is left is to pay for it!  Please see the details below on how you can help make this dream come true by contributing what you can to help fund the project. 

Fun stuff:

• Join us for a summer picnic (indoors at the Freight Room at the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot), on July 9th.  Seating is limited and you must register.  Five dollars will get you in and fed; and
• Our next Pop-Up, Meet-Up will be at the Venice Yacht Club on August 27th - no cost to members (pay your own bar bill, with cash or check - no credit cards).  Former Yacht Club Commodore Donna Boldt will tell us about the history of the Club - in a setting you will not believe.

Bill Haberthur, our Secretary and Communications Chair, has put together an impressive and exhaustive Newsletter for your information.  Please enjoy learning all that your Society is doing and if you like what you see - please help out, by volunteering your time as a docent, a greeter, a member of a committee, or an enthusiastic participant.  It will be fun!

Sincerely,

Frank Wright

President

Calendar of Events

For upcoming events, future lectures, and tour dates for the

1927 Historic Venice Train Depot and the Circus Car Museum,

please click the website button below.

From the Membership Committee

A big thank you goes out to our members for their continued support and participation. VAHS would not be the vibrant organization it is without each of YOU!

The Centennial Celebrations are right around the corner, and now is the perfect time to be a part of VAHS.  VAHS is pleased to announce that we have thirty-five new individual and family memberships just since January!  Please spread the word to your friends about our organization, so that they too can be a part of the action!

It may be the dog days of summer, but VAHS is busy organizing events for our members.  Here’s what’s happening.

Member Events - Summer of 2025

Summer Picnic

On Wednesday, July 9th, VAHS is hosting a Summer Picnic at the Depot Campus from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm.  This members-only event will be held in the Freight Room to enjoy lunch and listen to a presentation by Jeana Hilligoss, former VAHS Board Member.

Jeana will present an all-new historical portrayal of Ann Worthington, wife of Venice’s first mayor Ned Worthington.  Previous VAHS portrayers of Ann have been Fran Valencic and Mary Huba.  Join us and learn what Venice was like during the Roaring Twenties and beyond.  As a sweet treat, Bertha Palmer Brownies will be served.  Bertha had her chef at the Palmer House in Chicago create this recipe for the Columbian Exhibition of 1893, a World’s Fair to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America.  Tours of the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot and Circus Car Museum will follow the presentation.

VAHS members previously received an invitation by email to register and purchase a luncheon.  The cost is five dollars per person.  We encourage you to invite a guest who may be interested in learning more about VAHS.  Please respond promptly as seating is limited.

Pop-Up Meet-Up

On Wednesday, August 27th, VAHS has been invited to the beautiful Venice Yacht Club for a special presentation.  The Venice Yacht Club was founded in 1951 and became one of the thirteen founding clubs of the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs.  Past Commodore Donna Boldt will share the rich history that has made VYC one of the most significant clubs in the area.

There will be a cash bar (cash or check ONLY) and complimentary snacks in the Sunset Room, overlooking the water.  This venue is one of the most beautiful spots in Venice.  Chat with old friends and meet new ones!  The email invitation will go out on August 13th.

Walking Tours

Thank you to VAHS members Ronnie and Tiffany Fernandez of Venice Florida Tours for offering special downtown Venice walking tours exclusively for VAHS members for only $15 (a 25% discount) on July 23rd, August 23rd, or September 23rd.  Learn about the history of our beautiful Venice by booking your tour today!  To register, please click on the link below. 

Holiday Luncheon

Christmas in July - it is never too early to start planning for the holidays!  The annual VAHS Holiday Luncheon will be on Friday, December 5th at the Venice Yacht Club, and will feature a festive menu and a local celebrity as our guest speaker.  Email invitations will be sent the third week of November.

Lastly, if you are interested in becoming more involved in VAHS, especially with the Venice Centennial kicking off this November, there are plenty of opportunities.  Some of these opportunities include being a docent at the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot or Circus Car Museum, serving refreshments at a lecture, helping with registration at a special event, marching in the Holiday parade, or serving on a committee - just to name a few!  For more information, please continue reading to click on the Volunteer Opportunities link further below, or email our Membership Committee Chair.

If you are not currently a member of the Venice Area Historical Society, then you are cordially invited to join us and learn about the rich and colorful history which makes the Venice area such a special place to live and visit.

VAHS was established in 1991 and is committed to historic preservation and education. The Society maintains the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot and the Circus Car Museum located on the Depot Campus in Legacy Park at 303 East Venice Avenue.

For an overview of volunteer opportunities available as a VAHS member, please click the button below. 

New Member Orientation

On April 6th, VAHS hosted another New Member Orientation at the Depot Campus.  New members had the opportunity to learn about the organization, the volunteer opportunities, and how to navigate our website.  In addition, they toured the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot and the Circus Car Museum.

The next New Member Orientation will be held in the Depot Freight Room on Sunday, October 26 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

New members, please mark your calendars for this date if you have not attended a previous orientation.  Your invitation will be sent closer to the date.

Membership / Donor Levels

The Board of Directors recently made name changes to the VAHS Membership Levels and added the category of Student.  In addition, it has formally created Donor Levels to reflect cumulative donations.

The annual Membership Levels are:

Business $75

Family $55

Individual $40

Nonprofit $40

Student $20 / merit

The Student Membership Level can either be $20 per year or granted by VAHS Board approval for community service hours rendered or special projects provided.  VAHS has maintained its current membership rates for the 2025 / 2026 fiscal year.

The cumulative Donor Levels are:

Legacy

Platinum $10,000 and above

Gold $5,000 to $9,999

Silver $2,500 to $4,999

Bronze $1,000 to $2,499

Copper $500 to $999

The Legacy Donor Level is for those individuals who would like to make a bequest in their estate planning to VAHS.

Upon the anniversary of your current membership renewal, or if you are a new member, you will be assigned a Membership Level (based on your selection) and a Donor Level (should you fall into the pre-determined categories).  As you continue to donate, your Donor Level may change as it moves into the next level.  VAHS will annually review all donations to ascertain the appropriate Donor Level category.

If you have any questions regarding your Membership / Donor Levels, or to become a Legacy Donor, click on the email button below.

As always, thank you for your continued support of VAHS.

Pop-Up Meet-Up

Members and guests at the Zebra Lounge

On May 7th, VAHS hosted another Pop-Up Meet-Up at the Zebra Lounge located in the historic Burgundy Square Building.  In addition to enjoying light refreshments and a cash bar, Board Director Irvin Lewin  presented the history of the building, originally known as The Green Building, and led a walking tour of the other historic buildings on Miami Avenue.

Thank you to Ari Aziz, owner of the Zebra Lounge, for opening his doors to host us, and VAHS member Geri Allard for tending the bar.  In addition, thank you to Bethany Behrmann of Engel & Volkers Real Estate for allowing us to visit their office (previously a gas station) where Irvin made his presentation.  Fifty-five members and guests enjoyed this event.

Pop-Up Meet-Ups are a great way for members and their friends to connect during the year.  Our next Pop-Up Meet-Up will be on Wednesday, August 27th at the Venice Yacht Club.  We will send an email blast to our members to register.

Depot Campus

Now that hot summer days are with us and lots of residents have flocked north or are away on vacations, we pare down our tours to one day per week, on Saturdays opening at 10:00 am and closing at 1:00 pm.  Please check our website for further details.

The first two quarters of 2025 were very busy at the Depot Campus, with nearly 6,000 visitors, and we expect another busy fall and winter season, but we need help!!!

PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING OUR TEAM

We are now actively enrolling new volunteer docents to begin

training. This is a perfect time to join, get trained, and be ready for when our annual visitors flock back to Venice.

For more information about becoming a docent, please email us by clicking on the docent button below.

VAHS Salutes - Ryan Mallonee

Spend a little time with our VAHS members and volunteers and you will soon realize that they share a strong curiosity of our past, along with other lifelong experiences or interests that they would like to foster and share with others.

It could be what originally drew their relatives to Venice, family history with rail service, a desire to honor family veterans and their service to the country, understanding the early impact of powerful and successful women, or childhood memories of amazement with visits to the circus as it toured our country each year.

Our newest addition to the docent team certainly brings all of that to his new position.  He is very proud of his family’s past military service and their employment with the railroad, and he loves his hometown of Venice, Florida.  What makes Ryan unique is that he is an incoming senior at Venice High School!

Recently, Ryan became the youngest member of Venice Area Historical Society and quickly completed his docent training.  Ryan volunteers at the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot most Saturdays, and we have received many compliments on his professionalism, knowledge, and personality.  He is a true asset to our Society.

Stop by the Depot Campus and welcome Ryan - you might even learn something new!

Collection Highlights

Train Bell

Thank you to Kelley Corbridge and his brother Brady for donating an antique train bell.  Their father, Paul Corbridge, and his father, O.D. Corbridge, acquired the bell when a train that ran from Chicago to NW Illinois for many decades was decommissioned.  Their family then used it during the 1960s to 1976 as a dinner bell while living in Rockford, Illinois.  They moved to Florida in 1976 and it has been in storage since then.

VAHS proudly exhibited the bell as part of the VAHS Traveling Exhibition in May and June at the Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library.  Ultimately, the goal will be to have the bell restored and then displayed in the soon-to-be-renovated caboose.

VAHS Traveling Exhibition

Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library

The VAHS Traveling Exhibition was at the Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library in May and June highlighting the Society's collection of historic items.

William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Library

In June, the VAHS Traveling Exhibition was also at the William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Library.  A special exhibit was displayed honoring world-renowned trapeze artist, Tito Gaona.  On loan from the Gaona Family Private Collection was one of Tito's beautiful capes and other items.

The VAHS Traveling Exhibition displays its collection in various showcases throughout the community to greater illustrate Venice's history, the circus, KMI, and other historic memorabilia.

VAHS will also be exhibiting at the Centennial Celebration at the Venice Art Center from November 7th to December 4th.  In addition, look for our special holiday display at both libraries in December highlighting vintage Christmas toys and decorations.

If your organization is interested in having an exhibition at your location, please click the email button below.

Did You Know...

"Did You Know..." will provide a brief look at historical buildings, places, things, or events.  This quarter, VAHS is focusing on the "History of Venice City Plans."

Projects

VAHS relies heavily on the financial support of individuals and businesses to fund our various projects.  These projects are designed to enhance the quality of life for residents and tourists.

One such project is the casting of an all-bronze statue of city planner John Nolen to be unveiled in time for the Centennial Celebrations.

In addition, donations support the continuing maintenance of the Depot Campus where nearly 65,000 people have enjoyed the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot and the Circus Car Museum.

John Nolen Statue

Be A Part of History!

The Venice Area Historical Society is excited to partner with other community organizations to help celebrate Venice's upcoming centennial.  The celebrations will commence at the 2025 Holiday Parade on November 29th and extend through May of 2027.  Our mission is to ensure Venice's fascinating history and the men, women, and organizations who have played a key role in Venice's progress are celebrated by our community's residents and visitors.

To this mission, Venice Area Historical Society partnered with Venice Area Beautification Inc., William Jervey, and Bob and Sue Vedder to raise funds to commission a statue of John Nolen.  The all-bronze statue will feature Nolen sitting on a bench holding his city plan for Venice.  Bronzeman, a California company, will cast the statue.

VAHS needs your help in funding this beautiful statue.  The statue will be located downtown in Centennial Park.  VAHS has committed to raise its half of the $70,000 cost.

Check our "temperature" on the fundraising thermometer on our website.  To donate directly to the John Nolen Statue Fundraiser, please click on the button below.

Update:  Work is progressing nicely as the clay model has been sculpted and is currently being fine-tuned.  The concrete pad upon which the statue will rest was poured in Centennial Park, and brick pavers were installed.  A temporary sign was installed with a QR Code for donations.  In addition, the interpretive display panel, which will be located next to the statue, is being designed.

Clay model of the John Nolen Statue

Future home of the John Nolen Statue

Circus Mural

Another recent project VAHS participated in was the art installation of the beautiful Circus Mural.  The art installation is sponsored by VABI.  Funds were needed to complete the NEW Circus Mural honoring the rich thirty-two-year history of the circus in Venice.  This 240-foot long, six-foot tall art project, located on the 700 block of South Tamiami Trail, is being painted by Helsinki-born artist Sami Makela with assistance from artist Mark Bulks.

VAHS stepped up to the plate to help VABI fund this project.  The VAHS Board of Directors matched funds donated to this project, up to a maximum of $10,000, which doubled the impact of donations!

On May 8th, the VAHS Board of Directors hosted the VABI Board of Directors, its advisors, and its liaisons at in an informal reception to present the $10,000 matching funds check.  VAHS President, Frank Wright, presented the check to VABI President, David Ingram, and VABI Treasurer, Lynn Field.  This completed the funding for the painting of the mural.  Any additional donations will go towards uplighting the art.  Donations made be mailed directly to VABI at 257 N Tamiami Trail Venice, FL  34285.

Update:  The artists are in the final stretch of completing the mural.

David Ingram, Frank Wright, Lynn Field

Caboose Renovations

Another project VAHS is currently working on is refurbishing the caboose.  To date, the exterior of the caboose has been restored, reflected in the before and after photographs above.  However, the interior still needs to be refurbished as illustrated in the photograph below.

Currently, the caboose is closed to the public.  Our goal is to remove the stored items and shelving from the caboose.  Starting with an empty canvas, we will remove the linoleum floor tiles, redo the floor, repaint, and replace the HVAC system.  We can then create new, revolving displays and, most importantly, open the caboose to the public.

Our goal is to raise $15,000.  To donate to this project, please click the Caboose Renovations button below.

Update:  VAHS has been able to remove its collection, and the furniture and shelving.  The next project is to remove the linoleum flooring and replace the current HVAC system.

Betty Intagliata Lecture Series

Education is central to the mission of VAHS.  The Society provides a variety of educational opportunities for members and the general public.

VAHS provides several lecture programs each year, one in the morning and one in the evening.  The lecture programs are free and open to the public, and feature noted scholars and speakers.

The evening programs are known as The Betty Intagliata Lecture Series.  The evening program dates are listed below.  The speakers and topics will be included once finalized.

SAVE THE DATE

2025

October 21st - 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

November 18th - 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

2026

January 20th - 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

February 17th - 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

March 17th - 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

April 21st - 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

To be held at the

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Venice

1971 Pinebrook Road

Over the years, The Betty Intagliata Lecture Series has been filmed and is available for viewing on VAHS's YouTube channel.

Please click on the button below and watch history begin to unfold!

Venice Centennial Lecture Series

Education is central to the mission of VAHS.  The Society provides a variety of educational opportunities for members and the general public.

VAHS provides several lecture programs each year, one in the morning and one in the evening.  The lecture programs are free and open to the public, and feature noted scholars and speakers.  They are sponsored by VAHS, with permanent funding provided by the Bill Jervey, Jr. Charitable Foundation.

The morning programs are known as The Venice Centennial Lecture Series.  The morning program dates are listed below.  The speakers and topics will be included once finalized.

SAVE THE DATE

2025

December 9th - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

2026

January 13th - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

February 10th - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

March 3rd - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

To be held at the

William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Library

300 Nokomis Avenue S

Speakers Bureau

Would your organization like to have one of our experienced lecturers speak about a particular historic subject or figure?  If so, please contact us and we can arrange to provide a lecture which will educate, inform, and impress your audience.

For more information, please click on the email button below.

Around Town

Norman Holland, Bill Haberthur, Frank Wright, Brenda Holland

The Venice Area Historical Society was a proud sponsor of the 2025 Annual Sarasota County Heritage Awards held on May 1st.  VAHS President Frank Wright, Treasurer Brenda Holland and her husband, Norman, and Secretary Bill Haberthur attended the awards ceremony.

Attendees raised over $100,000 for the SAHP’s Sarasota Preservation Program (SP2), providing funding for its revolving loan and easement programs.

VAHS Scholarship

Congratulations to the Venice High School Class of 2025!

Best of luck in your future endeavors.

Claire Timmerman at Venice High School Graduation

Claire Timmerman, our inaugural winner of the 2025 VAHS Scholarship, is shown above at graduation.  Claire will start classes in the fall at University of Central Florida.  She has already attended the required freshman orientation and selected her classes.  She will be taking General Anthropology, Introduction to Environmental Science, Encountering the Humanities, and Mathematical Thinking.  Best of luck, Claire!

Certificate of Distinction

VAHS established a Certificate of Distinction to honor organizations or businesses in the community celebrating significant milestone anniversaries.

Bill Haberthur, Kathy Lehner, Michael Bacon, Frank Wright

On June 23rd, VAHS presented a Certificate of Distinction to honor the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce for its 100th Anniversary.

To quote Kathy Lehner, President & CEO of the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce:

Legacy of Excellence

"We wouldn't be where we are today, without extraordinary leadership throughout the years.  Nor would we be the thriving community that we are without our successful businesses.

From our humble beginnings, our Chamber has been a catalyst - driven by a mission to promote business growth and success.  Our leadership has led with purpose - from our first chair of the board, Dr. Fred Albee, when the Chamber was started in 1925 with the vision of forming a city.

Fast forward, through decades of driving business growth and economic development:  the Chamber sold real estate in South Venice to bring new people to the area, that would then start new businesses.  The Chamber initiated the Shark's Tooth Festival to drive tourism to Florida during the slow summer months.  Then with the vision of beautifying the areas along the front of businesses, to give that BEST first impression of our community, the Chamber started Venice Area Beautification, Inc., affectionately known as VABI.  Oh my! How it has it blossomed (pun intended).  It is our own members that built our current Chamber building with zero debt.  These are just a few examples of why 100 years in, the Chamber stands strong today."

If your organization is celebrating a milestone anniversary, please email us so we may acknowledge the event.

Marketing Brochures

Over the past several months, the Communications Committee has been busy developing a new look to the VAHS Marketing Brochures with an eye to consistency in branding.  Here are the four new brochures - each are double-sided to highlight key areas of VAHS - Membership, 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot, Circus Car Museum, and Gunther Gebel-Williams Statue.

Special brochures such as the Member Events - Summer 2025 brochure highlighted earlier in the newsletter will be produced, along with brochures for the Betty Intagliata Lecture Series and the newly created Venice Centennial Lecture Series this fall.

Centennial Celebration

The Venice Area Historical Society is excited to partner with other community organizations to help celebrate Venice's upcoming centennial.  The celebrations will commence at the 2025 Holiday Parade in November and extend through May of 2027.

Our mission is to ensure Venice's fascinating history and the men, women, and organizations who have played a key role in Venice's progress are celebrated by our community's residents and visitors.

In addition to the community events, VAHS is also planning a Centennial Celebration for the train depot on March 27, 2027.  Plans are underway for day-long events at the depot.

As our plans formalize, we will share more details for specific programs and events.  We always welcome input, so if you have a great idea for the Centennial Celebration you want considered, please click on the button below.

Welcome New Members

Welcome to our new members!  We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.

Bethany & Jens Behrmann

Donna & Jim Boldt

Serena & Richard Cannarelli

Mary Anne & Kelly Carroll

Brent Crandon

Karen DeJarnett

Kathleen & Robert Faulisi

Lynn & Greg Field

Kara Grangaard

Suzanne Hoffman

Randi & William Horn

Linda Lewis

Ryan Mallonee

Mary & Donald McNiece

Jim Ottinger

Nancy & David Pike

Joe Rand

Kathleen Scarselletta

Heather Shirley

Martha Shirley

Carol Smith

Barbara Timmons-Herron

Charlotte Waisman

Debbie Zipes & Dan Erickson

VAHS MEMBERSHIP WOULD LIKE TO ADD YOUR NAME!

To become a member, please click on the membership button below.

VAHS would like to ask members to consider having their dues automatically renewed, ensuring there is no lapse in membership.  Therefore, we would kindly ask for you to agree to maintain your credit card on file with our secure third-party processor (AffiniPay) when you next renew.  You always have the option to cancel the automatic renewal.

VAHS Business Members

Click on the individual business card to be redirected to the respective website.

Membership Application

Venice Area Historical Society

PO Box 995

Venice, FL  34284-0995