SPRING 2025

Contents

President's Letter
Calendar of Events
Depot Campus
VAHS Wants You!
An Evening of Nostalgia
Annual Luncheon
VAHS Salutes
Collection Highlights
VAHS Traveling Exhibition
Pop-Up Meet-Up
Did You Know?

Community Connections
VAHS Scholarship
Betty Intagliata Lecture Series

Speakers Bureau
Around Town
Certificate of Distinction
Centennial Celebration
Welcome New Members
VAHS Business Members
Membership & Volunteer Application

President's Letter

Spring 2025

Frank Wright

"ELECTRIC!"

That's what it was! When we had a Pop-Up Meet-up at the Venice Theatre on March 26th, the air was filled with a "buzz." Maybe it was being in a performance space, but it was the same in the front of the house, the back of the house, the dressing rooms, the prop rooms, the costume storage.

Our tour was led by Executive Director Kristofer Geddie, and facilitated by Director of Advancement Camille Cline. We could all feel we were where the "magic happens." We were able to see the extent of the damage done by our most recent hurricanes, how far the theater has come - and how far it has to go! If you are an arts lover, I ask you go to the Theatre's website and donate what you can.

"EXHILARATING!"

That's what the Donor Appreciation Event was - at the refurbished Old San Marco Hotel, complete with period music, food, drinks, and fancy clothes.

"EDUCATIONAL"

Our road trip to the Sarasota Art Museum was just that - a Modern Art Collection set in the 1926 Sarasota High School - a perfect example of a "repurposed" historical structure; and our Lecture Series, which examined the prehistory of Venice, the Early Settlers of Venice, and the carving out of Sarasota County from Manatee County; and our road trip to Bob's Train, an amazing personal collection of Circus memorabilia.

"EXHAUSTED"

Well, I've exhausted my "E" word list - though I guess I could have used the "Election of Officers and Board Directors;" and "Erin DiFazio" of SAHP, our guest speaker at the Annual Meeting; and our Establishment of our Educational Scholarship; and our Engagements in Community Events like the Chamber of Commerce's "Non-Profit Rally," or the "History in the Park" event at Phillippi Estate Park - but that would be Excessive.

"EXCITING!"

Oh, wait - the most exciting news is the Society's partnership with the Venice Area Beautification Inc. organization to create and place a statue of John Nolen, the city planner that designed Venice, in a prime location in Centennial Park - in time for the Centennial Celebration! We have the City's approval as to the design and location of the statue - now all we have to do is pay for it! The details of how you can contribute will follow.

NOTA BENE

Let me say what a privilege it is for me to lead such a wonderful collection of Officers, Directors, and Members of the Historical Society! Together, we will accomplish much! Thanks.

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.

website

Depot Campus

In the first quarter of 2025, VAHS welcomed over 2,600 "passengers" to the Depot Campus, helping us to ‘Celebrate History’ through the eyes of the depot. Since the beginning of the docent-led tours, VAHS has hosted over 60,000 visitors to the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot and the Circus Car Museum.

Visitors to the Depot see how major events helped to develop Venice to be the great City it is today and visitors to the Circus Car Museum continue to learn about the thirty-two years of the circus being in Venice. Since January, several former circus performers and current performers from Circus Sarasota visited the museum as well as local school groups, college alumni groups, and Home Owner Association groups.

Our volunteer docents guide visitors through both the train depot and the circus car. In the first quarter of 2025, the docents covered nearly 250 hours of volunteer service during our regular public hours.

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.

Currently, our seasonal schedule is Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, opening at 10:00 am and closing at 1:00 pm.

Effective May 1st, our non-seasonal schedule will change to one day per week, opening at 10:00 am and closing at 1:00 pm. Please check our website for further details.

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

docent

VAHS Wants You!

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.

Come, Celebrate History with Us!

click to join

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

volunteer opportunites

An Evening of Nostalgia

The Venice Serenaders

Was it March 2nd, 2025 or March 2nd, 1925? VAHS hosted "An Evening of Nostalgia" in the historic San Marco Hotel Arcade. Guests and ardent supporters of VAHS were treated to passed hors d'oeuvres; cocktails; and the wonderful music of the Venice Serenaders, reminiscent of the Anthony Lopez Orchestra who used to play at the Venice Hotel.

Annual Luncheon

Members & guests at the event

On March 12th, VAHS hosted its Annual Luncheon at Pelican Pointe Golf and Country Club. Thank you to everyone who attended.

Frank Wright, VAHS President welcomed members and guests and gave a presentation on the 2024 accomplishments of VAHS and an insight to our 2025 goals.

Special thanks to our keynote speaker, Erin DiFazio of the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, for her insights.

Lastly, the inaugural VAHS Scholarship, In Honor of Betty Intagliata was awarded to Claire Timmerman, a Venice High School senior. Please read below to meet Claire.

VAHS Salutes

Carol Bailey

Carol Bailey has been a long-time member of VAHS. She served on the Board of Directors and was the Membership Committee Chair for many years. Carol decided to resign her position from the Board and to cut back on her many volunteering activities. VAHS gratefully recognizes her years of dedication to VAHS and to preserving the history Venice.

Irvin Lewin

VAHS welcomes a new Board of Director - Irvin Lewin.

Irvin is a native of Detroit, Michigan. After professional school in Cleveland, Ohio he was a practicing Podiatrist in Cincinnati for thirty-four years. During those years he was an active volunteer with several non-profit organizations which either promoted bicycling as a healthy and social sport or used group cycling events as fund-raising opportunities. Organizations that used his skills for fundraising purposes included the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He was on the Cincinnati Cycling Club Board of Directors for many years, and created and managed cycling events for the 1200 member club.

After retirement, looking for engaging and satisfying volunteering opportunities distinctly different from the world of medicine and bicycles, he has found a place within the history and preservation community of Venice. He is honored to be on the Board of VAHS, and looking forward to the opportunity to educate the community about the rich history and heritage of Venice.

Outside of his volunteerism, Irvin greatly enjoys spending the extra time that retirement allows with his wife Peg and his spoiled Australian shepherd dog, Gabby. You may notice him on long walks or bike rides around town. Life is good!

Collection Highlights

Sue Forbes with Sunrise Stanley

Thank you to Sue & Bill Forbes for their generous donation of Sunrise Stanley. The six foot tall fiberglass sculpture was one of 50 created in 2006 as a part of a fundraising event for the Venice Tidwell Hospice. This clown was painted by Venice artist Mary Jo Floryjanski. In addition to the statue, Sue & Bill donated a framed informational page and a framed picture of all 50 completed clowns.

In addition, VAHS has created the Sunrise Stanley Selfie Station at the Circus Car Museum. Stanley is on a wheeled platform so that we may bring him out onto the platform and have the community take selfies. To email your selfies, just scan the QR Code on the sign next to Stanley.

To view the selfies, please click on the button below.

Sunrise Stanley Selfie Station

VAHS Docents with Sunrise Stanley

The Lollipop Scale

Check out our new arrival - a vintage Peerless Enameled White Iron Lollipop Penny Scale - donated by Susan Forbes. Her grandfather owned the store which distributed these scales. A similar scale sat outside the first Venice Pharmacy in 1925. This scale now sits proudly in the second waiting room at the depot.

We also received the keys to access the scale's mechanism and the cash box. The scale wasn't working and when we opened the mechanism found that it was packed with paper towels. Upon removing the packing, the scale is now operational. In addition, when we opened the cashbox it was filled with pennies totaling $1.12 - 112 people had weighed themselves. This may be our next fundraiser cash cow!

VAHS Traveling Exhibition

Jervey Library Exhibits

To kick off the new year, the VAHS Traveling Exhibition was at the William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Library highlighting the Circus Car Museum and our KMI display.

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.

Our current schedule for 2025 is as follows:

May Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
June William H. Jervey, Jr., Venice Library
December William H. Jervey, Jr., Venice Library &
Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library

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

Pop-Up Meet-Up

VAHS members & guests with Kristofer Geddie at the Venice Theatre

On March 26th, the Venice Area Historical Society hosted another of its Pop-Up Meet-Up events, this time at the Venice Theatre. Executive Director Kristofer Geddie and Director of Advancement Camille Cline provided a behind-the-scenes tour exclusively for VAHS members and guests. Venice Theatre Board President Jean Trammell provided an overview of the history of the theatre and its current building. The tour group could see the results of the Phase I and II fundraising efforts after the devastating effects of hurricane Ian, and the need for continued fundraising for Phase III to finish rebuilding the Jervey Theatre.

A Pop-Up Meet-Up is a great way for members and their friends to connect during the year. The next Pop-Up Meet-Up will be listed on our calendar and we will also send an email blast to our members, all the more reason to join VAHS!

Did You Know?

"Did You Know?" will provide a brief look at historical buildings, places, or events. Since VAHS members and guests were recently at the Venice Theatre for an event, we thought we would explore its original location. Thank you to Irvin Lewin for his insightful research, and to the Venice Museum & Archives for use of the historic photographs.

Community Connections

Thank you to Sarasota County for bestowing the 2024 Certificate of Recognition to the Venice Area Historical Society!

VAHS Scholarship

In harmony with its emphasis on education and community outreach, VAHS recently announced its own $2,500 scholarship to a deserving graduating senior at Venice High School - The Venice Area Historical Society Scholarship, this year in honor of Betty Intagliata.

Frank Wright, Claire Timmerman, Betty Intagliata

VAHS was pleased to present its inaugural Venice Area Historical Society Scholarship, In Honor of Betty Intagliata, in the amount of $2,500 to Venice High School senior Claire Timmerman on Wednesday, March 12th, 2025.

Claire is a strong student with a 4.6 weighted GPA, holds leadership positions at school with the student government association, yearbook, and National English Honor Society. Her volunteer experience is impressive, especially her work with Teen Court of Sarasota. Claire also finds time to work as a barista. She grew up loving to read historical fiction and biographies and visiting museums with her family. To this end, Claire will be attending the University of Central Florida and majoring in history - with her goal of becoming a history professor.

In her essay, she expounds on her love of history and how it both fascinates her and deepens her understanding of the world. She writes, “History, for me, is not just an academic pursuit. It is a lifelong journey of discovery and understanding, and I look forward to the opportunity to inspire others to embark on that journey with me.”

Congratulations to Claire Timmerman, the recipient of the Venice Area Historical Society Scholarship, In Honor of Betty Intagliata.

Betty Intagliata Lecture Series

Dr. Uzi Baram

On January 21st, Dr. Uzi Baram presented "The Depths of History at Venice, Florida: Archaeology from the Most Ancient Past to the Venice Train Depot and Beyond" to a packed audience. Talk about a historical society - 14,000 years to now!

Clarissa Thomasson

On February 18th, Clarissa Thomasson presented her lecture - "Venice Dreamers - Early Settlers of Venice" to a crowded audience. Many famous settlers and their contributions to the development of Venice were highlighted.

Dr. Frank Cassell

VAHS members and guests enjoyed "Creating Sarasota County" presented by the Betty Intagliata Lecture Series on March 18th. Thank you to Dr. Frank Cassell for his very informative lecture.

Sue Chapman as Bertha Palmer

We look forward to seeing you on April 15th when Sue Chapman will be channeling Bertha Palmer for the lecture, "Meet Bertha Palmer, Founding Mother."

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.

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!

VAHS YouTube Channel

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

On January 11th, the Windjammers Unlimited Circus Band performed at the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot for a FREE concert. This group of former circus musicians delighted the packed audience with the performance.

Bob of Bob's Train

VAHS Membership includes special invitations to members for various field trips. One such field trip was to Sarasota on January 26th to visit Bob at Bob's Train for an enjoyable brunch and tour of his museum.

In addition, members also journeyed to the Sarasota Art Museum on March 9th to view the collection, experience the repurposing of the old Venice High School building, and have lunch at the cafe.

VAHS members Bill Haberthur, Gius Esposito, Brenda Holland, Mike Donnellan

VAHS members participated in the annual Venice Area Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit Rally on January 31st. Thank you to everyone who stopped by the unveiling of our new tent!

VAHS in front of the Edson Keith mansion

On February 8th, VAHS was pleased to participate in "History Day in the Park" at the Phillippi Estate Park. Participants gathered to celebrate Sarasota County's rich history with a day of activities, performances, other nonprofits, vendors, and food trucks. VAHS showcased its tent, memorabilia from its collection, and information about the Society.

Certificate of Distinction

Bill Haberthur, Clarissa Thomasson, Frank Wright

VAHS established a Certificate of Distinction to honor organizations in the community celebrating significant milestone anniversaries. Clarissa Thomasson, former President of the Sara de Soto Chapter, NSDAR accepted the award honoring 100 years of the organization's existence from Frank Wright, VAHS President, and Bill Haberthur, VAHS Board Director.

Bill Haberthur, Jackie Urschel, Mike Donnellan

Our third recipient is the Myakka Chapter NSDAR which celebrated its 70th Anniversary in 2024. On February 19th, 2025, VAHS Vice President Mike Donnellan, and Board of Director Bill Haberthur were able to make the official presentation to Jackie Urschel, Regent. Congratulations!

Frank Wright, Bill Haberthur, Kristofer Geddie, Jean Trammell

VAHS honored the Venice Theatre on its 75th Anniversary by presenting the VAHS Certificate of Distinction - an acknowledgement reserved for local organizations or nonprofits celebrating a milestone event. VAHS President Frank Wright and VAHS Director Bill Haberthur presented the Certificate to Venice Theatre Executive Director Kristofer Geddie and Venice Theatre Board President Jean Trammell.

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

Centennial Celebration

John Nolen Statue Fundraiser

John Nolen

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.

To this mission, Venice Area Historical Society is partnering with Venice Area Beautification Inc. 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. The statue will be located downtown in Centennial Park.

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.

John Nolen Statue Fundraiser

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.

Centennial Celebration