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Tuesday 10am - 2pm Friday 10am - 2pm

Sarasota HistoricalSociety

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Sarasota HistoricalSociety

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The Historical Society of Sarasota County is a private non-profit. We admire and pay homage to those who labored to form this Sarasota home.
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We showcase 2 of Sarasota's oldest buildings on our campus in Pioneer Park, 12th St just east of Tamiami Trail in Sarasota FL We acknowledge and are grateful for the sacrifices made and the creative energies expended by those who came before us. Conserving our heritage is the Historical Society’s primary concern. Beginning in 1927 with a citizens group’s collection of historical materials and the forming of the Office of County Historian in the early 1950’s, a Sarasota County Historical Society evolved in 1959. The Society reorganized in 1977 as a not-for-profit corporation. Join our email list to keep current with the Historical Society: https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=ffxaw5cab&p=oi&m=ffxaw5cab&sit=i54bn8neb&f=a03d9f05-ff78-4618-8e1e-08dc18596f37

11/02/2026

You too?

11/01/2026

If you're not in love with any of the choices you're offered on this Tuesday's ballot, remember:

10/31/2026

Happy Hallowe'en!

10/29/2026

Question? Seriously: The history of our county, is it important in 2026 through the study of buildings, people and the events they participated in, or natural things such as native plants, agriculture, animal husbandry? What should we focus on here at HSoSC?

For example, I find this article about ranchers who won't sell out fascinating. Do you? Saving Old Florida One Cattle Ranch at a Time https://flamingomag.com/2026/09/18/saving-old-florida-one-ranch-at-a-time/

10/27/2026

We limit passengers so that all can move about freely, switch sides to see mansions and dolphins, nibble the buffet and get a beverage... so you'd better get your tickets NOW! https://hsosc.com/historic-cruise/

10/27/2026

That's where Sarasota's Legendary Lady lies. She died in 1918 at her home in Osprey FL (now Historic Spanish Point) and her coffin, on its way back to her home in Chicago, was covered in orchids she herself had grown.

On October 26, 1904, the Gazette published an article about the pending construction of the Potter Palmer tomb. Potter Palmer and Bertha Honore Palmer are buried in this Graceland Cemetery mausoleum.

The structure was built three years after Mr. Palmer death in 1902 and cost $60,000. When Potter Palmer was laid to rest in 1902, his coffin was placed in an expensive crypt. As soon as the new mausoleum was finished the casket was moved into a specially-designed vault, hewn out of solid granite, within the tomb. Mrs. Palmer is buried in an identical tomb.

The tomb also contained fourteen separate crypts for the use of the family. The mausoleum is 40-feet long, 27-feet wide, and 28-feet high. While the pattern is Grecian Ionic, the tomb is of the canopy order, supported by 16 fluted columns finely carved. In the center of the floor are the two sarcophagi, with carvings even more delicate and exquisite than those of the pillars. The tomb will be constructed of specially selected granite from Barre, Vt.

10/22/2026

Discover your own Day in History.

Primary sources are the gold standard for researchers and readers who want to truly understand history. The voices,images, and words of witnesses who were there (wherever there was) and then (whenever) convey what was current then and part of our history now. There's a site I often check to see what happened on this date. I checked it today, and found October 22's diary entry could almost be written today or in the near future....

Primary sources are the gold standard for researchers and readers who want to truly understand history. The voices,images, and words of witnesses who were there (wherever there was) and then (whene…

10/16/2026

Falling Back, a time-honored tradition

I am so happy that we DO get to turn our clocks back on Sunday November 1. Are 2026 clocks falling back this November or not? Here's what to know...

I am so happy that we DO get to turn our clocks back on Sunday November 1. Are 2026 clocks falling back this November or not? Here’s what to know

Address

1260 12th Street (In Pioneer Park)
Sarasota, FL
34236

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 2pm
Friday	10am - 2pm

Telephone

(941) 364-9076

Website

http://HSoSC.com/

Alerts

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