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Historic Spanish Point was deeded to Gulf Coast Heritage Association, Inc. by the Palmer family in 1980. As part of its mission, GCHA identified key visions to which it is committed, foremost of which, is the preservation of Historic Spanish Point, a 30-acre environmental, archaeological, and historic site. When acquired, the buildings were in serious need of restoration and the historic gardens were overgrown. The 1980 Master Plan, produced by a team of restoration architects, historians, archaeologists, and museum professionals, outlined a plan to rehabilitate the 30-acre parcel for a museum and since then over $4 million has been raised for restorations, reconstructions, and interpretations of buildings, gardens, and archaeological features. Today, Historic Spanish Point is operated by a professional staff of nine, support staff of four, and over 200 volunteers. The museum is open to the public seven days a week and serves over 28,000 visitors annually. The mission of Historic Spanish Point is to connect people of today with 5,000 years of human history in southwest coastal Florida by collecting, preserving and interpreting the objects and traditions significant to the region's past. 
Historic Spanish Point is a significant environmental site, and the museum has worked diligently to remove invasive exotics and restore native habitats. A professional horticulturist, supported by trained volunteers, cares for the museum’s nature trails and gardens. A Wetland Garden area was completed in 2006. The museum’s "A Window to the Past" exhibition was renovated in 2005 with funding provided by the Selby Foundation, and is currently the only place in the country where visitors go inside a prehistoric shell midden and are surrounded on three sides by evidence of the past. To experience the 140 year old pioneer heritage preserved and interpreted at Historic Spanish Point, visitors tour the carefully maintained 1901 Guptill House, the reconstructed Mary’s Chapel, which recently received a new wooden shingle roof and fresh paint, and a reconstruction of the Webb Citrus Packing House. Three of the gardens of Mrs. Potter Palmer – the Sunken Garden, Duchene Lawn, and Jungle Walk, are enjoyed by visitors today. The classical styled Pergola overlooking Little Sarasota Bay was restored in the 1980s and is the site of wedding ceremonies and Living History Performances.
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This website designed by Laura Dean, Marketing Coordinator at Historic Spanish Point and HPCsc Secretary. E-mail comments or problems to info@historicpreservationsarasota.org |