Lee Trust for Historic Preservation

04/14/2026

Using modern materials on a centuries old home can sometimes be the beginning of the end. In this case latex paint was the culprit. A $340,000 "restoration" may be the demise of this piece of Civil War history. If you have a restoration project and you're uncertain, please give us a call and we can connect you with an expert.

The historic Klingel House on the Gettysburg battlefield is crumbling due to structural problems linked to a restoration project conducted more than a decade ago.

04/12/2026

If Rachel could talk surely she could tell a few tales from the past century. McGregor was barely paved when she celebrated her first birthday, since then she's seen land booms come and go, hurricanes too, a few mischievous high schoolers armed with soap suds, but she is resilient. You can't keep a good woman down. Happy Birthday Rachael! You are the Spirit of Fort Myers.

04/07/2026

"Gina Sabiston, who leads the city’s own Historic Preservation Committee and Virginia Harper, president of the Lee Trust for Historical Preservation, gave council members an earful on Monday, April 6."

Here are the details. (News Press Subscription is just $1 for the first month).

Coca-Cola reliefs, original Edison Bridge light poles, Snack House sign tossed in pile, historians say without regard for importance.

04/07/2026

Come celebrate with us! It's the 100th Anniversary of one of the most beautiful historic districts in Lee County, Edison Park.

Celebrations begin at 4:00 on Sunday, April 12, 2026 with a golf cart parade. There will also be food, history displays and much fanfare and hoopla!

Follow this link for details and a history of Edison Park. Courtesy of historian Tom Hall and FGCU.

https://www.wgcu.org/arts-and-culture/2026-03-19/edison-park-homeowners-planning-parade-recital-and-toast-by-mayor-anderson-to-mark-rachel-at-the-wells-100th-anniversary

Early April will mark the 100th anniversary of "Rachel at the Well's" dedication. The Edison Park Neighborhood Association is celebrating the occasion on Sunday, April 12th with a parade that features the Edison Park School Drum Group and the Fort Myers High School Green Wave Marching Band, a recita...

04/06/2026

Deeply disappointing, but unfortunately not surprising. The Lee Trust has learned that historic artifacts stored at the City of Palms Park, now being demolished, have been placed in dumpsters and are being discarded.

These aren't just old items, they include pieces of Ft. Myers history such as the original Edison bridge lights, Coca-Cola plant facade elements, the Snack House sign, and other irreplaceable artifacts that have been sitting in City storage for years.

Just one example of how the city allows historic resources to be lost rather than preserved and thoughtfully reused.

There's a city council meeting tonight at 4:30 we're asking residents who care about Fort Myers history to speak up, wear red, and ask two important questions.

Why wasn't historic preservation commission consulted?

Why were these items placed in a dumpster instead of preserved?

Fort Myers deserves better stewardship of its history.

03/30/2026

As a Women's History month draws to a close, we honor Gina Sabiston for her decades-long dedication to historic preservation and her profound impact on protecting the cultural heritage of her community. Since 1997, she has been a passionate and effective advocate for preserving the character, history, and identity of Fort Myers.

Gina’s preservation journey began upon returning home from college, when she became actively involved with the Lee Trust for Historic Preservation. One of her earliest and most meaningful accomplishments was helping to save the Langford-Kingston Home, working to relocate the structure across the street to ensure its survival. This hands-on effort set the tone for a lifetime of meaningful preservation work.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Gina also served on the Burrough’s Home Advisory Board, where she contributed to local decision-making that supported the protection and rehabilitation of the property.

Over the years, her leadership within the Lee Trust for Historic Preservation has been extensive, serving in multiple roles including Secretary, President, and currently as our Vice President, demonstrating her sustained commitment to the organization and its mission.

As a longtime member and Chair of the City of Fort Myers Historic Preservation Commission, Gina has worked diligently to uphold preservation standards while navigating the complexities of growth and development. Her leadership has emphasized thoughtful stewardship, even in challenging cases such as the Richards Building, where she advocated strongly for adherence to preservation guidelines and accountability.

Gina has also been instrumental in shaping the look and feel of downtown Fort Myers. Working collaboratively with community leaders she played a key role in efforts to bring back the iconic brick streets, helping to restore a sense of historic authenticity and charm to the city’s core. Additionally, she was the driving force in saving the oldest home, the Towles Home, from demolition.

In addition, she has been a consistent voice for protecting archaeological and cultural resources, speaking out to ensure that development projects take into account the deeper historical significance of the land.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we celebrate Gina Sabiston for her leadership, persistence, and unwavering dedication to preserving the rich history of Fort Myers. Her work reflects the power of community advocacy and stands as a lasting contribution to the city’s heritage for generations to come.

03/28/2026

Women’s History Month Spotlight: Virginia Harper

During Women’s History Month, we honor women whose leadership shapes our communities in lasting and meaningful ways. One such leader is Virginia Harper, a passionate preservationist and longtime advocate for protecting the historic character of Fort Myers.

As the current president of the Lee Trust for Historic Preservation, Harper safeguards Southwest Florida’s architectural and cultural heritage. Through her leadership, the Lee Trust continues to ensure that historic buildings, landmarks, and public spaces are not lost amid rapid growth and redevelopment.

Her work is especially vital in a region where development pressures and hurricane recovery often place historic structures at risk. Harper consistently reminds the community that progress and preservation must go hand in hand.

Virginia Harper’s commitment is not just symbolic, it is active and impactful.

She has been a leading voice in efforts to protect the historic Hall of 50 States building in downtown Fort Myers, speaking out against demolition proposals and urging city leaders to consider preservation-focused alternatives. Her advocacy highlights a broader challenge facing growing communities: how to balance modernization with the protection of historic identity.

She has also raised concerns about development projects that could alter the character of iconic areas, including McGregor Boulevard, emphasizing the importance of protecting the beauty and historical integrity of Fort Myers for future generations. Preserving Landmarks & Local Heritage

Harper’s work extends to beloved landmarks like the “Rachel at the Well” statute, also known as the Spirit of Fort Myers, which remains a symbol of resilience following hurricane damage. Her continued advocacy underscores the importance of maintaining not just structures, but the cultural symbols that define a community.

In addition to her preservation work, Harper is an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, serving as the Regent in 2024-2025 for the Caloosahatchee Chapter DAR.

Under the leadership and dedication the Caloosahatchee DAR received awards and recognition for its impactful Vietnam Veterans Project, an initiative honoring and preserving the stories and service of local veterans. This work reflects a deep commitment to patriotism, remembrance, and community education.

One of the most meaningful recent efforts connected to Harper and the DAR involves the restoration of a historic marker tied to the sinking of the USS Maine.

The original marker stood at Punta Rassa, identifying the site of the historic telegraph house ( pictured here) where Americans first learned of the sinking of the USS Maine, a pivotal moment leading to the Spanish-American War. Although the telegraph building still stands today on property now part of a Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, the original marker mysteriously disappeared over time.
Thanks to the efforts of the Caloosahatchee DAR, that history has not been forgotten.

A new replacement marker has been installed at the Riverside Community Center along the Caloosahatchee River. The marker ensures that this important moment in American history, and Southwest Florida’s role in it, remains recognized and accessible to the public.

A dedication ceremony is expected soon, marking another milestone in the chapter’s ongoing mission to preserve and share history.

Virginia Harper’s leadership is a powerful example of how one individual can influence an entire community. Through advocacy, education, and persistence, she has helped ensure that Fort Myers retains its historic charm while continuing to grow and evolve.

Her work reminds us that preservation is not about resisting change, it’s about guiding it with respect for the past.

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate Virginia Harper for her unwavering dedication, her leadership in both the Lee Trust and DAR, and her lasting impact on Fort Myers.

Because of women like her, history is not just remembered, it is protected.


://youtu.be/aL4QWNJu46M?si=5A5sekkLalQHVmbw

03/27/2026

Today we’re turning the spotlight on Yvonne Hill, a powerhouse of preservation and community spirit in Sanibel and Fort Myers! With an MA in Urban Education & Community Affairs and an MBA in Marketing, Yvonne doesn't just study history, she brings it to life.

As a past president of the Lee Trust for Historic Preservation, Yvonne has been a fierce advocate for the places that ground our local identity. Her work is about "telling the story behind the story".

Her Impact Across Southwest Florida:
Restoring Heritage: Yvonne has been a driving force behind the restoration of McCollum Hall, a historic hub of Black culture and commerce in Fort Myers.

Preserving Island Legacy: when it comes to Sanibel Historical Preservation, she helped document the vital contributions of early Black families. Her work on the Gavin Family History Project and the book Sanibel Island ensures these legacies aren't lost to time.

Feeding the Community: As the Founder/Director of the Roots Heritage Urban Food Hub, she’s used her expertise to tackle food insecurity through community gardens, proving that history and health go hand-in-hand.

Civic Leadership: From the Southwest Florida Historical Society to the Jackie Robinson Park of Fame and the MLK Day Program Committee, Yvonne’s leadership is woven into the very fabric of our community.

Yvonne Hill is a reminder that our history is a living, breathing thing that requires both a heart for people and a mind for strategic action. Thank you, Yvonne, for protecting our past and planting the seeds for our future!

03/24/2026

This Women’s History Month, the Lee Trust for Historic Preservation is proud to honor a woman whose life’s work is woven into the very heart of Lee County: one of our founding members and past President, Susan Grace

Susan’s dedication began before the Trust's inception in 1993, and she has never wavered in her mission to protect the places that define us. As a retired Lee County educator, she understands that history isn't just in books, it’s in the streets we walk and the homes we preserve.

In the 1990's Susan was part of the team behind the creation of several historic districts that define Fort Myers today, including Downtown, Edison Park, Dean Park, and Seminole Park. Her influence also extended to the Burroughs Home Advisory Board, ensuring that one of the city's most elegant Georgian Revival landmarks remained a vibrant part of our public heritage.

Her hands-on advocacy was also critical in the preservation of the Langford-Kingston Home. She helped champion the effort to move and restore this rare Prairie-style residence, saving a piece of architectural history that now stands as a testament to our community’s resilience.

Today, Susan continues to inspire through her deep connection to the Mound House. She recently led a series of "Community Conversations" there, sharing the unique legacy of the oldest surviving home on Fort Myers Beach, a property once owned by her late husband Bill Grace’s great-grandparents.

“I grew up in Lee County in the '50s and '60s and understand that it is important to keep our 'sense of place' as our area expands to welcome visitors and new residents. I spent my career educating the youth of Lee County and now have the opportunity to educate visitors and residents alike about the wonderful history of our area." - Susan Grace
(The News-Press · Apr 28, 2014)

Please join us in honoring Susan Grace, a founding member, past President, and true guardian of Lee County’s history!

03/23/2026

Today we are honoring a local leader who has dedicated her career to preserving the "Real Florida," Pam Miner.

Pam's impact on Southwest Florida is as deep as the history she protects. From her leadership with the Lee Trust for Historic Preservation (previous President )to her role as Executive Director of the Sanibel Historical Museum & Village, she has been a tireless advocate for our community's stories. During the past 30 years she has also held key roles at Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, and the Collier County Museum, specializing in collections management.

Highlights of her incredible career include:
- Award-Winning Author: Her book, River & Road: Fort Myers Architecture from Craftsman to Modern, earned the 2017 Florida Book Award Gold Medal in Visual Arts. Co-authored with Jared Beck it provides "private access" to some of the most architecturally significant and historic homes in Fort Myers making it a great addition to any coffee table.

- Preserving Sanibel: At the helm of the Sanibel Historical Museum & Village in 2024, she prioritized sharing the island’s unique "origin story" and its resilience through over a century of hurricanes.

If you want to see Pam’s work in action, visit the Sanibel Historical Museum & Village this month. The Village is currently open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Guided Tours: Catch a docent-led tour at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. (based on availability) to hear the "real stories" of Sanibel.

Must-See Exhibits: Explore the revitalized 1927 Bailey’s General Store or visit Shore Haven to see the City of Sanibel’s Time Capsule items on display.

Upcoming Twilight Talk: Don't miss the next installment of "Storm Stories from Sanibel: Hurricane Ian" at BIG ARTS on April 16th.

Thank you, Pam, for ensuring that our past remains a vibrant part of our future!

03/22/2026

The Fort Myers Historic Preservation Commission will meet on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 2200 Second Street.

The agenda includes two public hearings:

1615 Cranford Avenue (Dean Park Historic District): proposal to replace a shingle roof with a silver metal roof.

2622 Cortez Boulevard (Edison Park Historic District): proposal to install four new windows on the front façade.

Residents can attend and share comments by completing a Request to Speak form before the meeting starts or by indicating they wish to speak during the open public portion of each hearing.

The public may also speak on non agenda items at the end of the meeting.

Accessibility assistance is available through the City Clerk’s Office at (239) 321‑7035 or TDD (239) 332‑2541.