FALL 2026

Contents

• President's Letter
• From the Membership Committee
• VAHS Wants You!
• Calendar of Events
• Member Events - Future
• Member Events - Past
• Membership Levels
• Donor Levels
• New Members
• New Lifetime Members
• Nonprofits
• In Memoriam

• From the Education Committee
• Depot Campus
• VAHS Traveling Exhibition
• Projects
• From the Program Committee
• Betty Intagliata Lecture Series
• Venice Centennial Lecture Series
• Speakers Bureau
• Recent Events
• Certificate of Distinction
• Around Town
• VAHS Business Members
• Membership Application

President's Letter

Fall 2026

Bill Haberthur

Dear Members and Subscribers,

As we welcome the fall season, we also welcome back our northern residents who join us each year when Venice comes alive with cooler breezes, renewed energy, and a full calendar of historical programming.  Your return always marks the beginning of our busiest and most rewarding months, and we are grateful to have you back in our community.

This season brings an exceptional lineup for both the Betty Intagliata Lecture Series and the Venice Centennial Lecture Series.  Each series features distinguished speakers who bring fresh insight into the history of Venice, Sarasota County, and Florida.  We are also pleased to introduce two new venues for both programs, offering improved accessibility and an enhanced experience for attendees.  In addition, both lectures will now be at 2:30 pm.  We encourage you to explore these updated locations and join us for what promises to be an outstanding season of learning and engagement.

VAHS was honored to be selected by WEDU PBS to participate in its Greater series, which highlighted the centennial of the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot and the vital role it played in the development of Venice.  The documentary recently premiered on WEDU PBS station - we look forward to having a Venice premiere in the near future.  This recognition underscores the importance of our mission and the dedication of our volunteers, donors, and supporters who help preserve and interpret Venice’s history.

As always, we invite you to stay engaged—attend our programs, bring friends to tour the Depot Campus, volunteer your time, or support VAHS through membership and donations.  In addition, we ask that you take a moment to take a brief survey telling us what you like or dislike about the newsletter.  You will find a link to the survey below.

Together, we continue to honor the past while inspiring future generations to appreciate the rich heritage of our remarkable city.

Sincerely,

Bill Haberthur

President

From the Membership Committee

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

The Venice Centennial Celebration is in full swing and now is the perfect time to be a part of VAHS.  VAHS is pleased to announce it has over 51 new individual, family, and business memberships since January!  Please spread the word to your friends and neighbors about our organization, so that they too can be a part of the action!

If you are not currently a member of the Venice Area Historical Society, you are cordially invited to join the Society 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, the Circus Car Museum, and the Caboose located on the Depot Campus in Legacy Park at 303 East Venice Avenue.

If you are interested in becoming more involved in VAHS, especially with Venice Centennial activities, there are plenty of opportunities.  Some include serving as a docent or greeter at the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot or Circus Car Museum, overseeing refreshments at a lecture, helping with registration at a special event, or serving on a committee, just to name a few.  For more information, please email our Membership Committee Chair.

To ensure no lapse in your membership, VAHS is offering the opportunity to have your dues automatically renewed.  To accept this offer, just 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.

Calendar of Events

Here is a brief list of upcoming VAHS events.  Mark your calendars accordingly!  Email invitations to these special events will arrive in your inbox two weeks prior to the event.  Click the calendar button below for further information.

Member Events - Future

November 8th - New Member Orientation in the Freight Room

VAHS will host its New Member Orientation (NMO) in the Freight Room of the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.  New members will learn about the workings of the organization, how to navigate the website and the volunteer opportunities available.  Attendees will also get to meet board members and other new members while enjoying light refreshments.  Tours of the Train Depot, Circus Car Museum, and Caboose will follow. 

November 18th - Pop-Up Meet-Up at the Venice Art Caffe

Enjoy the beautiful garden setting of the Art Caffe in the Venice Art Center and enjoy fellowship, appetizers, and a cash bar.  VAHS VP Irvin Lewin will be leading a walking tour of East and West Blalock Parks and share their fascinating history.  You can also stop by the Old Betsy Museum and enjoy the beautiful new mural recently completed to honor Betsy’s 100th birthday.

November 28th - Holiday Parade

Join VAHS in this annual holiday parade through the streets of downtown Venice.  A post parade party will be held at Abby's on Miami.

December 2nd - Holiday Luncheon at the Venice Yacht Club

Get into the Spirit of the Season by joining VAHS at the festively decorated Venice Yacht Club.  Enjoy a delicious plated luncheon, followed by remarks by keynote speaker, City Manager James Clinch.

NOTE:  Email invitations to these special events will arrive in your inbox two weeks prior to the event.

Community Events - Future

November 7th - Old Betsy's 100th Birthday Party

November 14th - VABI Grand Opening of the Urban Forest

November 15th - Friends of the Sarasota History Center Friends Fest 2026

Member Events - Past

For more photos of all the events, please click on the button below.

August 18, 2026 - VAHS / IACV Trivia Night

Members and guests testing their knowledge

VAHS's first-ever Venice Trivia Night is in the books, and 75 VAHS and Italian American Club members and guests gathered at the lovely IACV clubhouse to eat, drink, and learn fun facts about Venice’s history.

Kim and John Manning, VAHS members and authors of the award-winning book, Sarasota Trivia Game by Kim, led us along the Sarasota County history path.  Local history buffs Dr. Bill Jervey and Terry Potter tied for first place and VAHS board member Bethany Behrmann finished third.  To purchase the book, please contact Kim by calling her at 941-685-3556.

July 8, 2026 - Annual Summer Picnic

Tom Bowers, aka Dr. Fred Albee, speaking to the crowd

Fifty-five members enjoyed lunch and a presentation by Dr. Fred Albee (aka VAHS member Tom Bowers) in the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot Freight Room.  It was an afternoon for good food, warm fellowship (and temperatures!) and a fascinating look at Dr. Albee’s story of innovative medical breakthroughs and deep connections with local history and national events.

Membership Levels

When joining the Venice Area Historical Society or renewing your membership, you may select from several Membership Levels established by the Board of Directors.  Each level helps support our mission to preserve and share the history of Venice and the surrounding area.

• Lifetime Family — One‑time donation of $1,000

• Lifetime Individual — One‑time donation of $500

• Business — Annual dues of $75, includes a business card ad in the VAHS newsletter

• Family — Annual dues of $55, includes up to three bundled members

• Individual — Annual dues of $40

• Nonprofit — Annual dues of $40

• Student — Annual dues of $20, or membership granted in recognition of community service

These membership options allow individuals, families, businesses, and students to participate in and support the preservation of our community’s history at a level that fits their needs.

Donor Levels

When you become a new member—or at the time of your annual membership renewal—you may be assigned a Donor Level if your cumulative giving places you within one of the categories below.  Donor Levels reflect total contributions over time, so your level may change as your support continues to grow.

• 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 a special designation for those who choose to make a bequest to VAHS as part of their long‑term estate planning - an extraordinary commitment that helps ensure the preservation of Venice’s history for generations to come.

If you have questions about your Membership Level, Donor Level, or if you would like to join the Legacy Club, simply click the email button below.  Your continued support strengthens the mission of VAHS and helps safeguard the stories, places, and people that define our community.

New Members

Ron & Lisa Boltz

Nanci Bussaglia

John, Pam, and Ross Ehrman

Sherry Longsdorf

Patrick Phillips & Michele Wallace

Cynthia Schein

Laura Singer

Susan Thomas

Barbara Woodrow

New Lifetime Members

Beth & Jack Gehring

Ann Martinuzzi

Philip Youngberg

Nonprofit Members

A shout-out to all of our nonprofit members.  Nonprofits are the unsung heroes of our community.  Their goal is to raise money, while limiting expenses.  For this reason, VAHS is so appreciative of the support provided by our nonprofit members.  Thank you for supporting our mission of education and historic preservation!

Colonial Dames of America - Chapter 30

The Haven

Historical Society of Sarasota County

Pelican Point Women's Association Garden Club

START

Venice Area Beautification, Inc. (VABI)

Venice Area Garden Club

The Venice Chorale

Venice Heritage, Inc.

William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Library

The World of Chuck-O

In Memoriam

Reggie Foote

From the Education Committee

Scholarships

Your financial support is always gratefully appreciated.  Please consider donating by clicking the button below and you will be redirected to our Donate page.  Once there, please hit the yellow Donate button and then in the dropdown box, please select Scholarship Program.  Thank you!

Depot Campus

VAHS was honored to be selected by WEDU PBS to participate in its Greater series, which highlighted the centennial of the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot and the vital role it played in the development of Venice.  To watch the video, please click the play button below.  For some behind the scenes images, click Recent Events.

Thank you to WEDU PBS producer Shaun Greenspan and his team, and the participants both in front of the camera (Larry Humes, Chuck Sidlow, Harry Klinkhamer, and Lloyd Thomas) and behind the camera (Bill Haberthur, George Miller, and Mary Huba).

The Depot Campus is currently operating on its non-seasonal schedule of Saturdays only, opening at 10:00 am and closing at 1:00 pm.

Please check the VAHS website for further details.

PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING OUR TEAM

VAHS is now actively seeking new volunteer greeters or docents for the Depot Campus.

For more information, please email us by clicking on the button below.

VAHS Traveling Exhibition

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

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

Projects

Caboose Renovations

Update:  Thanks to a grant from the Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation, VAHS was able to purchase four display cases for the Caboose to house some of our collection.  We are currently creating informational panels which will be displayed on the walls.

Caboose interior with two of the new display cases

The final Phase will be to hire a contractor to wash and repaint the exterior, all in preparation for the Centennial of the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot in March 2027.

Our goal is to raise $15,000 for the project.  Your donation will help to make this renovation a success.  To donate to this project, please click the Caboose Renovations button below.

"Venice and the Venice Area"

"Venice and the Venice Area" is a concise history of Florida as well as a time capsule view of the Venice area in 1969. This Centennial edition features updates [in brackets].  VAHS, along with the author's grandsons, invite you to take a physical and digital scavenger hunt as you discover our beautiful John Nolen designed city as we celebrate its Centennial.

This fifth edition book is available at The Island Bookshop or by making a donation to the VAHS Shoppe by clicking the button below.

From the Program Committee

VAHS provides several lecture programs during the season.  All lectures are sponsored by the Venice Area Historical Society, with permanent funding provided by the Bill Jervey, Jr. Charitable Foundation.  All programs are FREE and OPEN to the public. 

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the speakers are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of VAHS.

Betty Intagliata Lecture Series

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

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.

The following is a list of available presentations.

“Meet Bertha Palmer” - An in-character representation of the famed Chicago socialite, businesswoman, and benefactor of the South Sarasota County area.

“Meet Mable Ringling” - An in-character representation of a woman of mystery, a socialite, a noted philanthropist, and one of Sarasota's most glamorous figures during the 1920's.

“A Reflective View of Venice – from the Calusa to the Present Day” - A broad, historical perspective of the Venice region.

“Venice Centennial – 100 Years on the Gulf” - A review of the origin and history of the City of Venice through the lens of the city’s 100th birthday.

"The Skies Were Filled with Airplanes: A History of the Venice Army Air Base" - The story of Venice's role in World War II, and the legacy that it left.

“The History of the Kentucky Military Institute (KMI) in Venice” - An overview of the thirty-seven-year relationship between America's oldest private military school in its winter campus, and the initially small, struggling town of Venice.

“Albee’s World / Albee’s Legacy” - An in-character representation of Dr. Fred H. Albee, a visionary in the world of medicine and the development of Nokomis / Venice. Louella Albee, his wife and partner, matched the surgeon’s stamina and, together, made Venice a fortunate heir.

"Ann Ruth Everett Worthington Manning:  The First 'First Lady' of Venice" - An in-character representation of a young woman, raised in the upper strata of society in Cleveland, OH, who married a financially-savvy, dashing older man.  Together, they would migrate to southwest Florida to be part of a real estate project that would eventually consume most of their assets, changing their lives forever.

"The Historic 1927 Venice Train Depot" - The story of a historically significant building: why it was built, who built it, and how it was used to influence the growth and life of the City of Venice and surrounding area.

“History of the Intracoastal Waterway in Venice” - Constructing the inland waterway was disruptive and unpopular. Learn how and why Venice “Island” was created.

“John Nolen’s Venice, Beyond the Garden City” - The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers had plans well beyond creating the Garden City of Venice. Learn about Venice Farms and the full scope of the Venice project vision.

“Famous Florida Women Who Have Made a Difference” - Dr. Charlotte S. Waisman, a nationally recognized speaker and author, highlights the important contributions of Florida Women.

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

Recent Events

For images of Recent Events, please visit our website by clicking on the button below.

Certificate of Distinction - City of Venice

VAHS established a Certificate of Distinction to honor community organizations or businesses celebrating significant milestones.  There are several organizations and businesses that will be receiving a Certificate in 2026.

James Clinch, Jeana Hilligoss, Bill Haberthur, Nick Pachota, Bethany Behrmann

At the July Council Meeting, VAHS President Bill Haberthur, with VAHS board members Jeana Hilligoss and Bethany Behrmann, presented Mayor Nick Pachota and City Manager James Clinch with a Certificate of Distinction recognizing the city's 100th anniversary!

If your organization is celebrating a significant milestone, please email us so that we may acknowledge it.

Around Town

James Clinch, Jeana Hilligoss, Bethany Behrmann, Bill Haberthur, Jon Watson, Harry Klinkhamer, Nick Pachota

At the same Council Meeting, VAHS President Bill Haberthur, with VAHS board members Jeana Hilligoss and Bethany Behrmann, presented a $5,000 donation to City Curator and Collections Manager Jon Watson and Historical Resources Manager Harry Klinkhamer.  The donation is to be used for the division's newspaper digitalization project.  The money was raised during a silent auction of framed prints during the Together Through Time, Venice at 100 Chamber/City Dinner in January at the Venice Community Center.

VAHS Business Members

By clicking on the individual business cards below, you will be redirected to their respective businesses.  Thank you for patronizing our business supporters!

Lee Grace Mathews is a first-time author, after working in diverse careers, including medical research and corporate project management.  Her book "The Heart of Venice" is inspired by her teen years vacationing in the Venice, Florida area, spent in endless hours of beachcombing, nature watching, and the occasional pelican rescue.  Originally from Tennessee, Lee Grace has traveled to 29 countries for work, pleasure and mission outreach; she's not done exploring yet.  She and her husband are retired and honored to call Osprey, FL, their home.

Membership Application

Venice Area Historical Society

PO Box 995

Venice, FL  34284-0995