The Historical Society of Sarasota County

Yes, I think everyone will agree that money does talk. In these times we might even say money SHOUTS. This story is about the matter of money. I have put off writing it about as long as possible. I am guilty of PROCRASTINATION. I think my reluctance to write on this topic has to do with the era in which I was raised. We really didn’t talk about money, out loud that is. If an expenditure needed discussion it was whispered.

No one ever mentioned how much they’d paid for such and such an item, and certainly no one ever asked another about their purchase price of anything. If you did these things you were incredibly rude. Money was…well, money was dirty.

We are now going to discuss openly the matter of money. Yours and mine. The Historical Society needs donations. We’re offering you several ways to approach the subject. You can be as private and totally anonymous as you desire. Or you can shout it from the top of the Crocker church steeple. Remember, donations (money and goods) are tax deductible.

You can also spread your donation money out over the year by filling out a pledge card. For most of us this is an ideal way of contributing. A dollar a day isn’t quite as shocking to the purse strings as a sudden outlay of $400 or so.

You may very well be asking, why does the Historical Society need money? After all we got the Bidwell-Wood and the Crocker Memorial Church moved. Please consider the fact that we have to pay insurance, we had to have water and sewer connections put in and electricity (and now those bills have to be paid monthly) and we will be paying rent to the City for the use of the buildings and property. Also, there is the enormous undertaking of rehabilitation. The West wall of the church must be replaced, a concrete porch must be erected along with the pillars to firmly connect the porch roof and steeple .

It is essential that work is accomplished immediately before we get any further along in hurricane season. We need to begin refinishing and refurnishing the Bidwell-Wood . Air conditioning needs installation. Both structures need painting. I’m sure I’m leaving out some items but you get the general idea. We need money!

In August of 2005 the following financial support amounts with corresponding factors of recognition were put forth by advisors . We suggest that this agenda is still viable.
A plaque at the entrance way of one of the two buildings –

The Bidwell-Wood - $150,000
The Crocker Church - $100,000
A plaque at the entrance to one of twelve rooms
$10,000 up to $100,000
A placard at the end of a pew in the church or on a landscape bench
$2,500 up to $10,000
A placard on a furniture item
$2,500 up to $5,000

Name added to a list of donors on a communal plaque at the entry way to Bidwell
Wood or the church. $1,000 up to $2,500
Name on historic brick (originally from the Seaboard Airline Railway Station of
Sarasota)
$100 up to $1,000

I suggest you bring up the topic of donations for this project to other organizations or to your employers, your friends, and old school chums. For instance, I recently mentioned this to several of my classmates from Sarasota High. The result; they decided to buy a brick which could be labeled SHS and our year of graduation.

Some of our members/acquaintances did make a pledge in the past. We urge you to renew that pledge. Please don’t let another day go by. Let us hear from you. This is an important project. The Crocker Memorial Church can be used for recitals, small weddings, showing films and giving lectures on Sarasota and Florida history to tourists and to students who do not receive this education in their schools The Bidwell-Wood, which has a fascinating past, can become a museum of Sarasota life 1882 style.

Feel free to write a check today. Make payable to HSOSC for the BWCC project and mail to P.O. Box 1632, Sarasota, FL 34230. If you are “buying a brick” or a plaque do send us the credit directions…you want the brick to read either with your name or an organization, etc. If you want to donate toward a plaque let us know what kind, where you want it placed, and what name should be placed on the plaque. If you have any questions please call one of us: Arnie at 924-5224; Sue at 365-5204; Jane at 366-1323 or Pete at 366-0787.

Another way you can help….Estate Planning. I know, most of us don’t really want to plan for a time when we won’t be here. That’s silly, isn’t it? We’re going to live forever. And, maybe not. Actually we can be remembered by setting up a legacy which will live into the future benefiting your Historical Society and its mission.

Well now, that wasn’t so bad. Money does matter. I’ve talked about money matters quite a bit and I haven’t fainted and no one has called me rude or a dirty old lady…yet.