Try a Little Preservation

May is Historic Preservation month.

Ever wonder what you might do? Here are a couple ideas - courtesy of the National Trust and Sarasota’s local Historic Preservation organizations.

• Explore places where you and your family grew up. A town, a school, a church or some other place important in your personal history. Take a little time to re-connect to your past.
• Take a walk or bike ride through your neighborhood or some other part of Sarasota (Laurel Park is a great place but all neighborhoods are great for a walk with a view). It is amazing what you see when you slow down. Walk through the Rosemary Cemetery and read the names and dates on the headstones. Think about life back then.
• Shop on Main Street (and Palm and the side streets too). You will find many unique, local shops. These are owned and managed by local people that love their businesses. Say hello and chat a little with them. Take a look at the building architecture. Check out the historic Sarasota postcard reproductions displayed at Kennedy Studios (1472 Main).
• Read a few books about Sarasota history. You can find them at bookstores (Sarasota News and Books is a good place to start), the library or the Sarasota History Center by the Visitor Center on the Trail.
• Take in a movie at Burns Court - an historic movie theater.
• Visit some of the older churches in Sarasota; First Presbyterian is 98 years old or maybe visit St Martha’s, it has a long history.
• Check out the pictures at the County history web site
• Consider joining one of Sarasota’s historic preservation organizations like the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation or the Historical Society of Sarasota County. They have great newsletters and very interesting meetings.

Take some time to immerse yourself in a little personal or local history. You will find it interesting and enjoyable. The people you will meet along the way are guaranteed to be wonderful!