Like us on Facebook
Issue: February 2015
In This Issue
Quick Links
Become a Member 
 
Upcoming Events
 
Donate to SPP
 
Voluneer
 
Contact Us 
 
Historic Homes Workshop

Don't miss Wood Window Makeover's upcoming Historic Homes Workshop, an  event that brings people together, equips and empowers them with knowledge and skills pertaining to different elements of the historic home or building. The event takes place in Tampa with a session in St. Pete on Feb. 20, 22, and 28.

A team of window preservation professionals are teaming up with Habitat for Humanity and the city of St. Pete for the first of it's kind restoration project on one of our local landmarks: the Henry-Bryan House, moved from the path of the wrecking ball to become a Habitat for Humanity home. The team will lead participants through the entire window restoration process, including classroom instruction and hands-on demonstration. Get the details, here.


Join us for a special tour:  St. Pete from the Water - An Historic Boat Tour!
 
On Saturday, April 4th SPP will conduct our first ever tour by boat! We're chartering the Dolphin Cruise boat for a special historic tour, guided by some of your favorite SPP guides!  The two-hour tour will examine the 'Burg's architecture and history from a new vantage point, and explore the role the bay and Gulf have played in our development.  Complementary refreshments included.  Register today for it's sure to sell out quickly!

St. Pete from the Water - An Historic Boat Tour

When:

Sat, Apr 4, 1-3 pm
Where:
400 2nd Ave NE
Slip 46
Registration Cost:
SPP Members: $25
Non-members: $30

May Movies in the Park!!!
 
The ever-popular Movies in the Park returns on Thursday evenings in May (7,14,21,28) so mark our calendar now for for the best little event on the Waterfront! And now is the time to send us your movie recommendations!  

If you are interested in reaching the 10,000 people that attend Movies in the Park every year, consider becoming a sponsor! Your business could be featured on the original Carrie Jadus poster created just for Movies in the Park! But hurry, sponsorship opportunities are limited.

To view our sponsor packet for information on Movies in the Park and other SPP events, click here.

Vote to Make Movies in the Park and Award Winner!
 

We're thrilled that Movies in the Park has been nominated for "Best Event" at the Sunshine Awards from the St. Petersburg Downtown Neighborhood Association. Show your love and vote for Movies in the Park!



 
Next Program Feb. 18: Race and Place in the 'Burg's Boom and Busts
 
The first program in SPP's new lecture series was greeted by a large crowd, it was in a beautiful historic building and had a wonderful pair of speakers. Our second program promises to be just as special, featuring noted Civil Rights historian Raymond Arsenault, and Gwendolyn Reese, President of St. Pete's African American Heritage Association. It takes place on Wednesday, February 18th at the Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum, a building which itself carries forward a lot of history.  Unfortunately, the Museum

is faced with eviction as the St. Petersburg Housing Authority, the building's owner, plans on selling the building. Attend the program and help show the Museum is a vibrant and important part to our community. 

 

Developments like the interstate highway system, born out of the post WWII boom, destroyed huge swaths of communities where African Americans lived and owned businesses, and "urban renewal" was often just a euphemism for bulldozing black neighborhoods in the name of progress. Join SPP and a pair of special speakers who are sure to enlighten all on the Burg's rich African American history and upon the impacts of boom and bust on the city's African American neighborhoods.
 
Mark your calendars for next week's program:

Race and Place in the 'Burg's Boom and Busts
Place:
Carter Woodson Museum,
2240 9th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
When:
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Time:
Reception at 6:30 p.m. & Program at 7 p.m.

 

Funding for this program was provided through a grant from the Florida Humanities Council with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the Florida Humanities Council or the National Endowment for the Humanities. 
Join one of SPP's Special Walking Tours!
 

February & March are the perfect time of year to take a walking tour and SPP has some fun tours scheduled!  Our "favorites" continue with the "Original" Downtown Tour on Feb. 7 and again on March 7.  You can treat your valentine to the Waterfront Tour  on Feb. 14, led by the always interesting & former SPP President Will Michaels! The Feb. 28 tour features the 'Burg's favorite bunglow neighborhood, Historic Kenwood.

On Feb. 21, SPP will help celebrate Black History Month with a special tour along the "Deuces" (22nd Street S.) and the African American Heritage Trail.  The trail tells a fascinating story and there is no better way to understand it than experiencing the trail with special tour guides Jon Wilson and Gwendolyn Reese. Tour starts at 10 am at the Carter Woodson Museum, 2240 9th Ave. S.

Mark your calendar for March 21 as  SPP's "3rd" Saturday neighborhood tour will visit Historic Uptown! The neighborhood is a National Register listed historic district deriving its significance from the varied and excellent examples of popular styled homes dating from the early 1900's thru the 1920's.


Finally, don't forget SPP's next Downtown Lunchtime Tour with SPP president Emily Elwyn will be on Friday, March 6. The approximately 1 hour tour is a great way to get a quick intro on St. Pete history! Tour starts at noon in front of Mickey's Caf� & Organics at 318 Central Ave.

All of the walking tours are free to SPP members, just $5 for non-members. Saturday tours start at 10 am. Click on the tour links above for more details, starting location for the respective tour and for reservations (recommended but not required). 

PRESERVATION ORDINANCE UPDATE...
 
It is finally decision time on the amendments to the city's historic preservation ordinance with a public hearing before the Community Planning & Preservation Commission (CPPC) on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 3 pm at city hall.  A final hearing is expected to take place in front of city council in April.

Working on and trying to "wordsmith" ordinance language isn't too exciting but having an ordinance that works is vitally important to preserving the 'Burg!  SPP has focused on getting the city to change the ordinance to make the process to become a historic district a neighborhood friendly process (it has been anything but!). Last month, Mayor Kriseman got involved and in so doing the chances of getting a neighborhood friendly process are looking up - but we still need your support!  You can read SPP's latest letter to the CPPC explaining our position here. 

Many of you have previously sent a message supporting the SPP position and those messages made a difference!  We have created another easy link to do so again, just click here to send your message to the CPPC and to City Council.  And, even better yet, if you can attend the CPPC meeting at 3 pm on Feb. 10, come join us! 

Upcoming Porch Parties!
 
We are pleased to announce two upcoming porch party events and a special art walk party event.  You will want to mark your calendars as you will be sorry if you miss out on these events!

On Friday, February 27th SPP will visit the beautiful Mediterranean Revival styled home of Linda & George Dobbs located in Granada Terrace on Coffee Pot Bayou. Granada Terrace is one of the "Burg's three locally designated historic districts. The neighborhood was developed by Perry Snell as an exclusive, homogeneous enclave of custom Mediterranean Revival style homes. The requirement for use of the "Med Rev" style was part of the neighborhood's original deed restrictions. The Dobbs'1926 home, designed by noted architect Harry Cunningham, is an incredible jewel, sitting on 2 1/2 lots looking out on the water. 


Coffee Pot Porch Party
Where: 2296 Coffee Pot Blvd., St. Petersburg, FL 33704
When: February 27th, 6 pm
Registration: $10, SPP Members receive two complimentary drink tickets
Register here. 

On Friday, April 24th SPP will enjoy the charming circa 1920 downtown bungalow of Valerie Knaust. Valerie decided she wanted to live downtown and purchased the historic home approximately one year ago. Valerie is a well known St. Petersburg artist and she has beautifully restored and decorated this charming piece of downtown's past.  The home, located on 2nd Street between 4th and 5th Avenues North, is an area that still retains a number of historic buildings but is very much threatened by encroaching new development. Join SPP to celebrate Valerie's preservation success story!

Downtown Bungalow Porch Party
Where: 416 2nd Street North
When: Aril 24th, 6 pm
Registration: $10, SPP Members receive two complimentary drink tickets
  
Finally, mark your calendars for a special Preservation Art Walk on Saturday, June 13th. Guides from St. Petersburg Preservation will narrate the art walk trolley, and we'll end with a great party at one of the historic galleries along the walk!  Final details and event registration info will be posted later in the spring.