Venice review board intervenes, saves historic apartment building
Questions raised by the Venice Architectural Review Board about the demolition planned by owners of a 1926 apartment building prompted the owners to rethink their plans and instead decide to save the building. Read the story in the Sarasota Herald Tribune: Historic Venice apartment building to be restored
Fans seek petition to stop Tinker Field demolition
Orlando's Tinker Field, built in 1923, has a date with the wrecking ball this spring unless a group of fans succeed in intervening. The citizens group County Watch is asking Orange County to petition the court for an injunction that would stop the demolition. The park has hosted spring training from four major league teams and was home to numerous minor league teams over the years. It was also the site of a speech by the Rev. Martin Luther King during the civil rights leader's only visit to Orlando in 1964. Read the story in the Orlando Sentinel: Fans of Tinker Field hope to halt demolition.
Ancient Indian village found under downtown MiamiEvidence of a 2,000 year-old Native American village discovered by archaeologists under a construction site in downtown Miami presents a potential problem for developers who hold contracts to build theaters, restaurants and a hotel on the site.
Read the story in the Miami Herald: Prehistoric village found in downtown Miami |
Palm Beach County waives rent for historical societyThe Palm Beach County Commission agreed to waive rent for the Historical Society of Palm Beach County's use of the 1916 Courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach. The society requested the waiver, saying it could use the savings on programming for children, traveling exhibits, and more educational material for local schools. Read the story in the Palm Beach Post: Historical Society to get $45,000 rent waiver
|
Model railroad buffs share train love at Deerfield railway museum
The South Florida Railway Museum in Deerfield Beach is the perfect place for the thrice-yearly swap meets like the one staged there last weekend. The train station that houses the museum was built in the 1920s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. More than 600 train cars and 150 locomotive engines are displayed there.
• Read the story in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Love for trains thrives at historic Deerfield Beach station. |
View from Ohio: Palm Beach County preserves 'rich' heritage
Standing on a 48-foot-dune, the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse continues to illuminate the coastline of northern Palm Beach County, while providing sightseers with an unrivaled view of the beauty and wealth below. The lighthouse has benefited from $1.5 million in preservation funds amassed since its takeover by the Loxahatchee River Historical Society in 1994. • Read the story by The Columbus Dispatch: Palm Beach County preserves its heritage as playground of the rich and famous
|
Viva Florida to focus on "First Coast" history in 2014-15
The Florida Department of State's ongoing celebration of Florida history, "Viva Florida," will focus on the northeast part of the state over the next two years. Next up this year is the 450th anniversary of the establishment of the French colony of Fort Caroline in what is now Jacksonville, then St. Augustine's 450th anniversary in 2015. Read the story from Sunshine State News: Viva Florida Focuses on the First Coast in 2014/15
|
Mackle Bros. ignored curse
|
Miami philanthropist completes Jennings Bryan home restorationBusinesswoman and philanthropist Adrienne Arsht fell in love with her "Al Capone" house after moving next door to it in 1999. Her multi-million dollar restoration of the 5,200-square-foot house, built in 1913 by Williams Jennings Bryan, was completed in 2011.
Read the "Inside Story" in the Wall Street Journal: A Historic, Period-Perfect, Miami House |
Pittsburgh columnist declares: The future is Florida
A sparsely populated backwater just a century ago, Florida is poised to become the nation's third-biggest state. Shaped by audacity and agriculture, a combination of forces are today propelling the state's ascendance: immigration, imagination, retirement, recreation and health care. Managing Editor David Shribman of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette contends that Florida represents the future of America. Read his column: The future is Florida
Debt deal keeps Grove playhouse off market, toward landmark status

Built in 1927, the Coconut Grove Playhouse appears headed for revival after Miami-Dade County and Florida International University resolved the facility's debt. The theater was closed in 2006 amid administrative troubles and mounting debt by its last operators. Read the story in fiusm.com: University and county move forward with playhouse plans
Miami Design Preservation League offers Art Deco Tour Academy

Interested in becoming a volunteer tour guide? What if we told you the tours were in Miami Beach? The Miami Design Preservation League is holding a three-day tour guide academy in February for people interested in leading tours of the city's historic Art Deco district. Volunteers who complete a three-day course will he certified as tour guides and will lead walking tours of the Art Deco district and other architecturally significant areas of Miami Beach. A one-day appreciation course is also offered for anyone who wants to learn about the historic district. Enrollment for the three-day course is $95 and $65 for the one-day course. Click here for more information and to register online.
Turner Bungalow arrives at Heritage Village in Largo
The Turner Bungalow, a gift to Pinellas County from Geraldine Turner, who died in February 2013 at 91, arrived at its new home at Heritage Village in Largo late last week following a long slow journey from its former site in Clearwater. Turner gave the county $100,000 to pay for the move of the 1915 home. Read the story in tbnweekly: Turner Bungalow moves to Heritage Village
Avon Park mayor's grandson fights street name change proposal
Kris DeLaney admits he didn't know much about his late grandfather's accomplishments as mayor of Avon Park until the city proposed renaming South Delaney Avenue. Then the young DeLaney went to work studying family scrapbooks and local history groups in preparation for a public meeting on the proposal. Read the story in the News Sun: DeLandy opposes name change
Also see:
Historic district study sought for Royal Poinciana Way in Palm Beach
Student Museum in Sanford could be on chopping block
Temple Beth El event to usher in historic chapel restoration in Palm Beach
Palm Coast Historical Society finally has a home
Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea celebrates 125th birthday
2014 Florida Chautauqua Assembly draws to close with cannons, musket fire
Historic district study sought for Royal Poinciana Way in Palm Beach
Student Museum in Sanford could be on chopping block
Temple Beth El event to usher in historic chapel restoration in Palm Beach
Palm Coast Historical Society finally has a home
Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea celebrates 125th birthday
2014 Florida Chautauqua Assembly draws to close with cannons, musket fire