Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation Announces 2024 Sarasota County Heritage Awards Winners

February 21, 2024 – Sarasota

The Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation (SAHP), in collaboration with the History & Preservation Coalition of Sarasota County (HPCOSC), is honored to present the Sarasota County 2024 Heritage Awards. The awardees will be honored at a ceremony on Thursday, March 21, 5:30 p.m., at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets are $150 and include refreshments, dinner, dessert, and an awards presentation hosted by Andrea Knies and Mimi Cirbusova, co-owners and co-founders of Compass Rose History. For more information on the awards ceremony and to purchase tickets, visit www.PreserveSRQ.org or call 941-254-3002.

The Heritage Awards program was originally developed in 2014 by the HPCOSC and is currently managed by the SAHP, to recognize individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the preservation and understanding of Sarasota County’s historical resources. These activities are important to lend public support to

governmental and citizen-based efforts that preserve our common past so future generations can enjoy what is so unique and beautiful about Sarasota County.

The 2024 Heritage Award Recipients:

Gregory A. and Eleana Najmy Hall Adaptive Use and Historic Preservation: These two awards are named in honor of the legacy of architect Gregory A. Hall and his wife Eleana Najmy Hall. They recognize and celebrate the best historic preservation projects in Sarasota County. Nominations are judged for their success in the rehabilitation, restoration, or adaptive use of a historic building in Sarasota County as well as the impact of the project on the community. Nominated projects must have been completed within the last five years of the submission deadline and been completed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historical Rehabilitation:

· Vickie Oldham and Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition (SAACC) Preservation of the Leonard Reid House: In recognition of their extraordinary efforts to preserve the home of one of Sarasota’s early leaders of the city’s African American community, and repurpose the family’s home as an arts, culture and history center in Newtown that celebrates Black life and history. The Committee and awardees also wish to recognize the financial and logistical support the Awardees received from Stevie Freeman-Montes, City Manager Marlon Brown, and the Sarasota City Commissioners. Preservation of the Leonard Reid House. It is an outstanding example of the successful result of a collaborative effort with the City of Sarasota to make their vision a reality.

· Florida Studio Theater Preservation and Adaptive Reuse of the Sarasota’s Woman’s Club and Gompertz Theater. In recognition of FST’s extraordinary efforts to incorporate these historic structures into its campus, and repurpose them with sensitive alterations, as it has grown over the past 50 years into one the community’s most important arts and cultural institutions.

The Lillian Burns Individual Achievement: This year, the award was conferred upon two individuals who have made profound contributions to the history and preservation movement in Sarasota County.

· Frank Cassell, PhD: In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the history and preservation movement in Sarasota County, in the areas of scholarly research and publications, and for his tireless devotion to community service with your leadership of the Sarasota County Centennial Committee, the History and Preservation Coalition of Sarasota County and the Friends of the Sarasota County History Center, among many others.

· Dorothy Korwek: In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the history and preservation movement in Sarasota County, including her efforts to preserve and maintain the Triangle Inn building and the Lord-Higel House; obtain historic a historic designation for the Triangle Inn; her compilation and publication of numerous books and pamphlets documenting the history and culture of Venice; and her tireless community service.

Archaeological Conservancy: This award recognizes outstanding efforts to preserve and document prehistoric sites and/or effective advocacy of archaeological conservation.

· Marion Almy: In recognition of her outstanding efforts to preserve and document prehistoric sites in Sarasota County and the Tampa Bay region; her decades of effective advocacy for archeological conservation and historic preservation in Florida; and her effectiveness in advancing archeological preservation with national, local and state government agencies, including the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida Division of Historical Resources.

Historical Research: Awarded for outstanding contributions through research and publication to increase knowledge of Sarasota County’s past.

· Deborah Walk: In recognition of her outstanding contributions to historic research and archival preservation of our cultural past, including her research into the history of the Crocker Church for the Historical Society of Sarasota County; research for the Church of the Redeemer, and the Founders Garden Club; and for her work as an archivist, researcher, and author.

Organizational Achievement: Presented to a Sarasota County historical or preservation organization for outstanding success in historical preservation, historical education, and/or support of historical research. The awards committee welcomes nominations of organizations that have successfully completed a project or a series of projects that have had a significant impact on preserving and understanding Sarasota County’s history.

· Venice Heritage, Inc. In recognition of its efforts to advance historic preservation, education, research, and community engagement in Venice. It is curator of two of the community’s most important historical structures—the Lord-Higel House and the Triangle Inn (now the Venice Museum). It has also published books documenting the historical and cultural fabric of the city and continues to have, strong impact on raising community awareness of Venice’s past.

The Heritage Awards committee is comprised of professionals in the fields of architecture, historic preservation, real estate development, archaeology, history and collections management who deliberated over the awards submissions before making their final selections.

For more information, visit www.PreserveSRQ.org.