For additional information on 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.
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From the Membership Committee
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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 Venice Centennial Celebration is right around the corner, and now is the perfect time to be a part of VAHS. VAHS is pleased to announce that we have fifty-five new individual and family 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! |
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The City of Venice’s Annual Holiday Parade will be on Saturday, November 29th starting at 5:30 pm. This year’s theme is “All Aboard the Centennial” signaling the start of the City of Venice’s Centennial Celebration. VAHS will be marching in the parade. VAHS members are invited to join us. Please email us if you are interested in joining us by clicking the email button below. |
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The annual VAHS Holiday Luncheon will be on Friday, December 5th at the Venice Yacht Club, and will feature a festive menu and local celebrity Tito Gaona as our guest speaker. Email invitations will be sent on November 7th. |
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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. |
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For an overview of volunteer opportunities available as a VAHS member, please click the button below. |
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VAHS New Member Orientation ("NMO") provides the opportunity for new members to learn about the organization, the volunteer opportunities, how to navigate our website, and tour the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot and the Circus Car Museum.
The next NMO will be held in the Depot Freight Room on Sunday, October 26 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. If you have joined VAHS within the past year, and have not attended a previous orientation, please mark your calendar. Your email invitation will be sent out around October 12th. |
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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 how to become a Legacy Donor, click on the email button below.
As always, thank you for your continued support of VAHS. |
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Frank Wright with the Speaker Bureau's three Ann Worthingtons - Mary Huba, Jeana Hilligoss, & Fran Valencic |
Our first annual picnic was held on July 9th, and was a huge success! We were filled to capacity in the Freight Room at the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot. Many thanks to our guest speaker Jeana Hilligoss, who portrayed Mrs. Ann Worthington, the first, First Lady of Venice. |
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Frank speaking to members and guests |
Along with the presentation, a picnic lunch was served, including Bertha Palmer's famous brownies for dessert! Tours were given in the depot and the Circus Car Museum. Thank you to our docents, Ryan Mallonee, and Tom and Sheila Bowers, for conducting the tours.
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Past VYC Commodore Donna Boldt speaking to VAHS members |
On August 27th, VAHS hosted another Pop-Up Meet-Up, this time at the Venice Yacht Club.
Thank you to Donna Boldt, past VYC Commodore, for her enlightening presentation on the history of the club, established in 1951. Fifty-five members and guests enjoyed delicious appetizers, drinks, Donna's presentation, and the magnificent views. |
Thank you to Bethany Hudson Behrmann for the video below of the event. |
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Our next Pop-Up Meet-Up will be in the form of a book launch. One of the VAHS centennial fundraisers is the sale of the reprint of a book first published in 1969 entitled Venice and the Venice Area, written by former Venice Mayor, George E. Youngberg, and W. Earl Aumann. This fifth printing centennial edition was curated by Mayor Youngberg's grandsons and is filled with additional photographs. It encourages the reader to take a scavenger hunt through the past one hundred years and see how Venice has changed. The book launch coincides with the beginning of the City of Venice Centennial Celebration. Books will be for sale, along with light appetizers and beverages, on November 19th from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at The Island Bookshop located at 206 Miami Avenue W. Start the holiday season by buying the perfect gift for someone special. The event is open to the public. We hope to see you there! |
Pop-Up Meet-Ups are a great way for members and their friends to connect during the year. Stay tuned for our next Pop-Up Meet-Up. We will send an email blast to our members to register. |
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Suzanne Alliegro
Sharon Baum
Len & Nancy Casalena
Diane & Mark Casey
Gloria Castelluzzo
Camille Cline Gail Conway
Jill Griffin Michael & Alice Jeromin Aimee Odette & Michael Rank Lisa & Bob Pfohl Ken & Ann Marie Proudfoot Andrew Scheip Thomas & Patti Shreeve Lauren Stewart Jon Watson |
Welcome to our new members! We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.
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VAHS MEMBERSHIP WOULD LIKE TO ADD YOUR NAME! |
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 email our Membership Committee Chair.
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VAHS would like to ask members to automatically renew their dues, ensuring there is no lapse in membership. Upon renewal, please consider maintaining your credit card on file with our secure third-party processor (AffiniPay). You always have the option to cancel the automatic renewal.
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Depot Campus
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Now that the seasonal residents are coming back, we will be returning to our schedule of Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, opening at 10:00 am and closing at 1:00 pm effective November 1st. Please check our website for further details.
The first three quarters of 2025 were very busy at the Depot Campus, with over 7,000 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.
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.
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The 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot’s historical marker from the Sarasota County Historical Commission was placed at the Depot Campus in 2003. It was damaged by a bus several years ago and has now been replaced. The marker has been relocated to a safer area near the Gunther Gebel-Williams statue.
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In addition, the historical marker for the former Circus Arena site has been restored and reinstalled. It is located on southbound US 41 just before the Circus Bridge.
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The ticket window in Waiting Room I of the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot has a new look. Although the original grill work was removed and is a free-standing exhibit in Waiting Room II (due to the transit authority having an office behind the window), VAHS photographed the original grill and had the image printed to size and mounted on foam core. The new "ticket window" is now on display. |
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Ticket window before update |
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Ticket window with its new look! |
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VAHS Salutes - Kathy McGibbon
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Kathy has been one of our most popular Docents. She readily admits that she is a frustrated clown, and always brings a smile to her guests, especially in the Circus Car Museum.
She is also very generous with her time, helping us to cover many Docent shifts during the summer, when we are often short-staffed.
Although Kathy has decided to limit her Docent time going forward, she promises she will continue to support our efforts.
Look for Kathy at future Member events, and thank her for all that she has contributed over the years to VAHS.
Thanks Kathy!!!! |
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Collection Highlights
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Visit our new mannequin display in Waiting Room I of the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot. It is Bertha Palmer herself in a period-appropriate costume on loan from the Venice Theatre! Thank you to Ross Boehringer and his costume team at the theatre for putting this together, down to the styling of Bertha’s hair. |
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On a recent trip up north, VAHS Board Member Mike Donnellan met with Mike and Deb Nolen at their home in Hanover, New Hampshire. Mike Nolen is a grandson of John Nolen, and he shared an old family photo album of John and his family. |
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The before image of the John Nolen Family |
Top row: eldest son, John Jr. with John.
Second row, left to right: wife Barbara; third-born Edward (Mike's dad); second-born Barbara; fourth-born infant son Humphrey; John’s mother, Matilda.
All seven family members are buried together in the family plot in the Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Massachusetts.
Not wanting to remove the photo from the album, a photo of the photo was taken through a plastic sleeve, which resulted in the glare of a chandelier and the reflection of two individuals.
Board Member Bill Haberthur submitted the photo to a Facebook photoshop page and that is where he "met" Tommy Butler. Tommy took to the assignment and the result is shown below.
Top row: eldest son, John Jr. with John.
Second row, left to right: wife Barbara; third-born Edward (Mike's dad); second-born Barbara; fourth-born infant son Humphrey; John’s mother, Matilda.
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The after image of the John Nolen Family
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Through Facebook messengering, Bill told Tommy the backstory of John Nolen and his importance in designing the City of Venice. Tommy mentioned he had something he would like to donate to a historical society. Continue reading the next article for the story. |
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Florida Civil War Era Currency circa 1863 |
Here is what Tommy Butler donated - a 1863 Florida fractional currency note. Tommy, who resides in North Carolina, wanted this to be exhibited at a Florida historical society, rather than sitting in his safe, and VAHS fit the "bill."
The bill was issued on February 2, 1863 during the Civil War by the state of Florida. The denomination is twenty-five cents (a fractional currency, not a full dollar). It is signed by Florida state officials - Governor John Milton and Treasurer C.H. Austin - and is backed “The Public Lands of the State.”
During the Civil War (1861–1865), both the Confederate States and individual southern states like Florida issued their own money because U.S. coinage and currency were scarce. Small change like twenty-five cents notes were printed because coins (especially silver) disappeared from circulation—people hoarded them as they had intrinsic metal value. These paper “fractional notes” filled the gap for everyday transactions.
These notes are collectible pieces of Confederate and Southern States currency. The value depends on condition, rarity, and signatures. A worn but complete twenty-five cents Florida note from 1863 typically sells in the $20 – $75 range, while very crisp examples or unusual variants can bring a few hundred dollars. To VAHS, it is priceless and another wonderful addition to our collection.
Interesting side note, according to Wikipedia, "In his final message to the state legislature as the war was ending, he declared that death would be preferable to reunion with the North. When he killed himself, his son Jefferson Davis Milton was a toddler."
Thank you Tommy for your generosity. |
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Three juggler's pins in the lower left |
Another wonderful addition to the VAHS Collection are three vintage circus posters and three juggling pins owned by Roy Coble and donated by Linda Olesen. The three juggling pins belonged to Roy Coble who had been a clown and a gymnast with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The three posters (copyright 1904) were reprints from old circus posters that were decorations for the YMCA’s “The Great Y Circus” in Redlands, CA. According to Google, Roy started The Great Y Circus in 1929. Mr. Coble was the Director of the YMCA in Redlands prior to Linda's uncle. |
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VAHS Traveling Exhibition
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The VAHS Traveling Exhibition will be celebrating the Centennial Celebration at the Venice Art Center from November 7th through December 4th highlighting the Society's collection of historic items. There will be a cocktail party on November 7th for Opening Night. We will send out an email blast for the event with all the details. |
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For the month of December, the VAHS Traveling Exhibition will also be at the Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library and the William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Library highlighting an old-fashioned Christmas. |
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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.
If your organization is interested in having an exhibition at your location, please click the email button below. |
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"Did You Know..." provides a brief look at historical buildings, places, things, or events. This quarter, VAHS is focusing on John Nolen's proposed Community Center which was never built. |
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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. Three of our most recent projects are the current renovations of the caboose, a significant financial contribution to the Circus Mural, and the partnership with VABI on the commission of the John Nolen Statue. Donations also support the continuing maintenance of the Depot Campus where nearly 65,000 people have enjoyed the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot, and more recently the Circus Car Museum, since VAHS began giving tours of the Depot in 2003.
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As a part of the Centennial Celebrations, the Venice Area Historical Society ("VAHS") partnered with the Venice Area Beautification Inc. ("VABI") to commission a statue of John Nolen. The all-bronze statue of Nolen is seated on a bench and is holding his city plan of Venice. Bronzeman, a California company, cast the statue. The statue will be located downtown in Centennial Park.
The project is nearing completion. The photo below shows the statue just prior to patination. The concrete pad upon which the statue will rest was poured in Centennial Park and the brick pavers were installed. In addition, the interpretive display panel, which will be located next to the statue, is in production.
VAHS is pleased to announce it has successfully completed raising its portion of the necessary funds, thanks to a significant $25,000 grant from the Cousins Laning Historical Fund. This Fund is a donor-established legacy endowment at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. In addition, VABI has completed its funding portion, and the statue is in its final stages of completion and then ready to be shipped to Venice. Stay tuned for details on the official unveiling ceremony, which is scheduled for February 18, 2026, the actual date of Nolen's death in 1937. |
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Thank you to all the donors who contributed to this historic statue and the informational panel which will be mounted next to the statue.
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Bronze casting of the John Nolen Statue |
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Future home of the John Nolen Statue |
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Before & after photos of the initial renovation of the caboose |
Phase I of the caboose interior renovations is underway!! We have removed our collections and records which were stored in the caboose, along with the furniture and shelving. The HVAC system and damaged sections of the subfloor will be replaced, and new carpet tiles will be installed. All doors and windows will be weather-proofed and the interior will be repainted. Phase I is being done to open the caboose to the public, and to support our Student Outreach Program allowing the caboose to be used as a teaching station for our visiting students. VAHS hopes to have the work completed by the end of 2025.
Phase II plans are being finalized and will include the installation of historical information panels which will discuss topics not covered in the train depot or Circus Car Museum. |
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. |
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Betty Intagliata Lecture Series
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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 programs are listed below. |
October 21, 2025
Josh Goodman: "From Horse and Chaise to Venice: A History"
November 18, 2025
Larry Humes: "Working on the Railroad: The BLE and Venice"
December 16, 2025
Curt Whittaker: "The Lost Creeks of Venice"
January 20, 2026
Corky Dalton: "Venice’s Design Started with Nature"
February 17, 2026
Bruce Stephenson: "The Brotherhood of Man in Nature - John Nolen’s Plan for Venice, Florida"
March 17, 2026
Irvin Lewin: "John Nolen’s Venice and Mariemont
Projects: Communities in Contrast"
April 21, 2026
Les Standiford - "Battle for the Big Top: The Death-Defying Saga of the American Circus"
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To be held at the
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Venice
1971 Pinebrook Road 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
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The Betty Intagliata Lecture Series is 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. Seating is limited. Please plan to arrive early.
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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!
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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.
The morning programs are known as The Venice Centennial Lecture Series. The morning programs are listed below. |
December 9, 2025 Irvin Lewin: "The Venice Project: Beyond the Garden City" January 13, 2026 Jeana Hilligoss: "The Life of Ann Worthington" February 10, 2026 Charlotte Waisman: "Women in Florida History" March 3, 2026 Sue Chapman: "A Reflective View of Venice" |
To be held at the
William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Library
300 Nokomis Avenue S 10:30 am - 11:30 am |
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The Venice Centennial Lecture Series is 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. Seating is limited. Please plan to arrive early.
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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.
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Around Town
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Frank Wright, Tito Gaona, Bill Haberthur, Brenda Holland, Tom Doherty |
"The daring young(ish) man on the flying trapeze..." VAHS Board Member, Bill Haberthur, was challenged by VAHS President Frank Wright to take to the air at Tito Gaona's Trapeze Academy. Having previously parachuted out of airplanes and done hot air ballooning, Bill was up to the challenge. Witnessing the spectacle were fellow VAHS Board Members Tom Doherty, and Brenda Holland, along with her husband Norman.
Wearing Tito's bedazzled, sequined cape, Bill took a private lesson from Tito then climbed the very high ladder (a feat unto itself since you do not wear shoes while flying) to the narrow perch forty-feet above the ground. To arrange for your own lesson and a chance to be a high flyer, please click on the button below to be connected to Tito's website. |
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The funding kick-off for the 2026 VAHS Scholarship will be at this year's Holiday Luncheon on December 5th. Your financial support is always gratefully appreciated. |
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Certificate of Distinction |
VAHS established a Certificate of Distinction to honor organizations or businesses in the community celebrating significant milestone anniversaries. |
If your organization is celebrating a milestone anniversary, please email us so we may acknowledge the event.
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Centennial Celebration
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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 Saturday, 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.
VAHS is also planning a three-day Centennial Celebration for the train depot in March of 2027. |
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. |
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