Past is Prologue
May events for National Historic Preservation Month
Historic Preservation is not about freezing historic sites and our built heritage in time, but working with residents and stakeholders to sensitively manage the change necessary to ensure our communities flourish. This year, Architecture Sarasota is celebrating National Historic Preservation Month by offering a range of activities under the theme of “Past is Prologue,” emphasizing the role of preservation in safeguarding historic places while addressing current and future needs. Throughout May 2025, the organization is hosting lectures, open studios of local firms, excursions, and a Historic Preservation 101 course led by President Marty Hylton. The month concludes with an on-line auction, celebration, and an update on the organization’s various initiatives including the Restoring a Sense of Place Disaster Recovery and Preserving the Manufactured Housing Communities of Sarasota County, among others.
Members receive first notice, registration, and special pricing for all programs and events. Why not become a Member today?
ALL MAY EVENTS
Downtown St. Petersburg Overnight Excursion
Thursday, May 1, 2025 – Friday, May 2, 2025
Join a group of like-minded architecture and design enthusiasts for an exclusive look into the best that St. Pete has to offer from charming historic places to the new developments that make St. Pete a unique cultural gem of Florida’s West Coast! This excursion includes a guided walking tour of the city’s waterfront and historic downtown, a docent-led tour of the Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement, a shuffle boarding happy-hour in a landmarked club, and an opportunity to explore the infamous St. Pete Pier.
Ticket options
Option 1: Transportation included ($450, $150 tax deductible, hotels and dining not included)
Option 2: Transportation not included ($400, $150 tax deductible, hotels and dining not included)
Please register by April 25th at midnight!
PAST IS PROLOGUE LECTURE SERIES
Three expert speakers will visit to discuss themes of Historic Preservation from Florida to Paris. All lectures will take place from 6-7pm at the McCulloch Pavilion, 265 S Orange Avenue, Sarasota, FL
05/13 – Bridging the Altantic at the Hôtel de Talleyrand, Linda Stevenson, AIA, Phd, Preservation Architect, Stevenson Architects, Inc.
05/20 – Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings Throughout Florida, Ricardo E. Gonzalez III, Marketing Coordinator and Business Development Specialist at REG Architects
05/27 – Beyond Places: How Historic Preservation Helps to Build Stronger Communities, Melissa Wyllie, CEO & President of Florida Trust for Historic Preservation
MAY OPEN STUDIOS
As part of Past is Prologue, Architecture Sarasota is offering opportunities to tour three local firms innovating and contributing to the preservation and legacy of the Sarasota School of Architecture. On Wednesdays during the month of May, explore past, current, and future projects, get to know members of the team, and enjoy a drink and a nibble with Sweet Sparkman Architects and Interiors, Inc., Oasis Landscape Architecture, and Halflants + Pichette.
05/14 – Halftants + Pichette
05/21 – OLA + SAWA + Leader Design Studios
05/28 – Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors, Inc.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION 101 WITH PRESIDENT MARTY HYLTON
As described by the U.S. National Park Service, historic preservation – also referred to as cultural heritage conservation – is “a conversation with our past about our future.” The historic preservation movement began with populist efforts to preserve places that help tell the stories of humanity’s collective past. By the mid-20th century, historic preservation, from its grass-roots origins, grew as a land-use tool with the introduction of national legislation and local ordinances and was codified as a discipline and profession. Historic Preservation 101 introduces the basic concepts of stewarding cultural resources, examines policy and standards, and explores new directions from both a national and international perspective.
05/15 – Session 1: Origins and Concepts
05/22 – Session 2: Policies and Guidelines
05/29 –Session 3: New Directions
Stay tuned!
Past is Prologue will conclude with an online auction, celebration, and presentation that updates Members on the organization’s various initiatives, including the Restoring a Sense of Place: Disaster Recovery and Preserving the Manufactured Housing Communities of Sarasota County, among others!
Look out for more information and dates, soon to come.
