Upcoming Events

2010-2011

Historical Society Programs 2010-2011

Remember— Call EARLY for reservations: Liz Boling – 748-5788 or Lorraine Tetlus – 748-6694

October 20, 2010 Sheriff W. Brad Steube will speak on the history of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Department, with human interest stories of the Sheriff’s Department’s development.

Nov. 17, 2010 Judge Gilbert A. Smith, Jr., who told us about Manatee County’s judges, will return this year to tell us about the “History of the Legislators of Manatee County since 1840.”

January 19, 2011 Phaedra Rehorn, whom many of you know from the Manatee Village Historical Park, will present a program on “Pioneer Settlers” of Manatee County.

February 16, 2011 In 1915, Mrs. Ward created an art pottery manufacturing plant in Manatee County using local Manatee River clay. You may have seen some of the artwork at the Manatee Village Historical Park or at other museums. It was later run by Mr. Graake and this early local business has been featured in a book on Florida pottery. Manatee County Attorney Nick Baden has agreed to tell us this fascinating history of the Manatee River Pottery which was also known as the “Ward-Graake Pottery”. The last time this story was brought before our Society, it was 1969 and the speaker was Mr. Lawrence Dowd.

March 16, 2011 Our Annual Picnic! This year we will visit the Cortez Old School House Museum and enjoy the surroundings and see the museum’s added structures

April 20, 2011 Sandy Metcalf will give us the history of Jiggs Landing, one of our county’s oldest new parks! She has a unique view of its history since she grew up there!

May 18, 2011 Our beloved David Bates, he of Manatee County Bottles and Manatee County Orchid fame, is busy putting together a program on Tropicana. Do you suppose he will be able to find a bottle to show us? And if so, what will be stamped on the bottom of the bottle?

Don’t forget to check the Recent Happenings page:

At last! Skyway Historical Marker action!

Thanks to an alert from David Kirby of the Florida DOT; Don Brainerd, David Bates and Pam Gibson were able to be at the North Rest Area of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Thursday, August 19th at 9:30 AM. They saw the workmen of the Florida Department of Transportation mount the first of the original 1955 Sunshine Skyway Bridge markers on it’s new foundation.

David got pictures and Pam got it all on her flip-video camera. Expect to see photos and printouts at the October meeting.

As soon as we hear about mounting the second marker at our end, the south end rest stop, we’ll alert you here. Once both markers are ready, we’ll be getting a proper dedication ceremony together.

Boy Scout display at Palmetto Agricultural Museum

Beginning around August 25 and continuing through early October, there will be a display of Manatee County Boy Scout history at the Agricultural Museum in Palmetto. Don’t have all the details yet, but regular members may remember Judge Smith and Red Dog Mainard spoke about preparing the history at our October 2009 meeting.

Remember—Call EARLY for reservations:
Liz Boling – 748-5788 or
Lorraine Tetlus – 748-6694