Florida Trust For Historic Preservation, Inc.

There’s little doubt social media has changed the way we communicate with each other. In an instance, we can share pictures and videos with friends and family even though we may be on different continents. We share our thoughts, opinions, and experiences in ways few would have ever imagined just a few years ago. As consumers we are more empowered than ever before as we can share with the online community what we like, and don’t like, about a company, organization, product, and service.

From a marketing perspective, social media has in many ways changed the way consumers and professionals prefer to stay informed and what we base our buying decisions on. Traditional mass communications vehicles such as television commercials and large billboard ads have become virtually ineffective as we as consumers now rely more heavily on the opinions of others. In fact, through social media we see how word-of-mouth has become extremely powerful in terms of the decisions consumers make on whether to buy a product, hire a professional, attend an event and become a supporter of a non-profit organization. While opinion blogs and news oriented websites attract an ever-increasing audience, print newspapers are facing an incredible threat as advertisers recognize the decline in readership. As a result, companies have recognized that traditional media relations, only contacting newspapers, television and radio stations, only reaches a limited audience, and have started to add bloggers to their news release distribution lists. Most importantly, promotional messages are generally ignored while consumers and professionals look for helpful information that will guide them rather than sell them on something. In short, previously used marketing messages need to be changed in order to get the attention of today’s consumer.

The question many non-profit organizations now ask is: how can social media effectively be used as part of our marketing, PR, fundraising, and membership programs?

Social media marketing is not the end-all answer to a non-profit organization looking to raise funds, expand membership and increase awareness in the community it serves. Instead, social media should be a component as part of an integrated marketing plan, carefully coordinated with other marketing, advertising, promotions, public relations, direct marketing, and event activities.

At the Florida Trust we recognize that many of our members are looking for ideas on how to most effectively use social media in their overall marketing plan. In the coming weeks we will host a webinar series where you can learn the basics of social media marketing and how your preservation group, museum or historic site effectively can develop a marketing mix with traditional marketing programs integrated with the use of a website and social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and blogs.

Social media marketing requires a strategic and consistent approach to inform and engage the intended target audience without coming off as too promotional and aggressive in the pursuit of donations, membership applications or event registrations. Social media marketing is about showcasing exactly what an organization stands for and how it benefits the community – and hopefully in return the public will see the value of the organization and contribute to the cause. Our webinar series will show you how you can create a social media marketing strategy.

There are also pitfalls with engaging in social media marketing. Many have experienced how quickly a reputation can be damaged just by a casual message on Facebook or Twitter. During the webinar series we will share with you what you can do to avoid the risk of hurting your own or your organization’s image.

Others may soon feel that their efforts are not bringing enough measurable results fast enough, or catch themselves spending too much time adding content to their social media platforms. During our webinar series we will share with you how you can maximize your exposure online while minimizing the time you spend on Facebook, Twitter and other online networks. In fact, we will share with you tips on how you can create an effective social media time management routine.

Please click here to learn more about the Florida Trust’s webinar series on social media marketing.

Mathias Bergendahl
Executive Director
Florida Trust for Historic Preservation

Tallahassee, FL (September 8, 2010) – The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation today announced openings for internship and volunteer positions available both at the Tallahassee-based organization’s headquarters as well as in locations around Florida.

“Volunteering or completing an internship program with the Florida Trust is an excellent opportunity to be part of making a difference for Florida and its residents and visitors,” said Mathias Bergendahl, Executive Director. “As a volunteer or intern you will have the opportunity to raise awareness of the positive impact of historic preservation in Florida,” he added.

Tallahassee-based internship and volunteer opportunities include, but are not limited to, managing administrative, program development, statewide calendar, research, marketing, membership and public relations duties. Volunteers are also invited to assist with the maintenance of the Florida Trust House, a 1910 Queen Anne home in Tallahassee rescued by the Florida Trust and converted into the organization’s statewide headquarters. Additionally, throughout the year, the Florida Trust offers volunteer opportunities at events and education programs around the state of Florida, including regional workshops and at the Annual Statewide Preservation Conference in May. Volunteer opportunities are even available no matter where you live in Florida as volunteers and interns can work remotely on projects.

Founded in 1978, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation promotes the preservation of the architectural, historical and archaeological heritage of Florida through advocacy, education and stewardship of historic properties.

For additional information about the Florida Trust’s volunteer and internship programs, please contact Kim Fairall, Preservation & Education Coordinator, at (850) 224-8128 or kimberly@floridatrust.org. Additional information is also available at www.floridatrust.org.

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Did you know that as a member of the Florida Trust you receive Florida’s Historic Passport, giving you special offers at over 70 historic venues, such as historic roadside attractions, historic gardens, house museums, and history museums, many of them offering complimentary admission and others discounts both for admission and in their gift shops.

No matter where in Florida you are there are wonderful places to see and explore. If you are about to visit Florida’s Northeast corner you are in for a great glimpse into the rich history of our state. Explore our nation’s oldest city St. Augustine, where some of the great places to visit include the Lightner Museum where relics of America’s Gilded Age are elegantly exhibited on the museum’s three floors, and the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, which is dedicated to discovering, preserving, presenting and keeping alive the story of nation’s oldest port. If you are planning a trip to Tampa Bay and the Sarasota area you can learn about the impact of when the railroad came to the Tampa and St. Petersburg areas, explore the art treasures at the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, and see a replica of the air boat of the world’s first commercial airline at the St. Petersburg Museum of History.

From Cornell Museum of Art & History at Old School Square in Delray Beach to the Florida Trust’s Bonnet House in Ft. Lauderdale, from the Historical Museum of Southern Florida in Miami to Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West, southeast Florida’s rich history is waiting to be explored. A recent addition to Florida’s Historic Passport program is St. Francis Inn, a beautiful B&B for those who would like to stay overnight while in St. Augustine.

A list of the participating sites and their passport benefits is available online at the Florida Trust’s website and as you travel to these historic sites, you will need to provide your current Florida Trust membership card, which will include your name, member number, and date of expiration. If you do not have your updated Florida Trust member card, please contact us and we will make sure you receive one immediately so that you may begin enjoying these wonderful benefits!

Become a member today – and start exploring Florida’s past. Click here to learn more about Florida’s Historic Passport.

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Historic Preservation Small Matching grant applications for the 2012 fiscal year will open on October 1, 2010 with a deadline for submission of applications on December 15, 2010. These grants are administered through the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, Bureau of Historic Preservation.

Applications will be available online beginning October 1 – click here. These grants are for funding assistance up to $50,000 and require a 100% match, unless the applicant is in a REDI county or community.

Eligible applicants include local governments, units of local governments, state agencies, universities and non-profit organizations.  For additional information, please click here.

Earlier today we received the following information from the National Trust for Historic Preservation together with a Lead Paint Fact Sheet, and we would like to share with our blog readers.

1. SHARE THE LEAD PAINT FACT SHEET with your members, as well as preservation commissions, contractors, architects, elected officials, and homeowners, see attached.  Make the sheet available at home fairs, workshops, and other venues.
2. HELP YOUR MEMBERS UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE through special alerts, blogs and articles in newsletters. Here is a sample Special Edition News piece from Indiana Landmarks.
3. CONVENE STAKEHOLDERS (contractors, architects, affordable housing providers) in-person or by conference call to discuss the issues around lead paint and identify strategies.   Adrian Fine of the National Trust’s Center for State and Local Policy would be happy to take part in or help facilitate such a convening.
4. HOLD EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS on lead paint or include lead paint information in your current homeowner events. You can partner with and invite knowledgeable and experienced contractors to explain the new EPA rule as well as abatement approaches.
5. SHARE STORIES AND CASE STUDIES showing how older and historic buildings can be renovated while safely addressing lead paint concerns.   Consider recognizing successful examples through your awards programs and other outlets.
6. STAY TUNED Sometime this fall we will devote a Forum Live Chat to the issue of lead paint.

Please click here to download a Lead Paint Fact Sheet.

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Dear Member,

Today, the Florida Trust launched a new website at www.floridatrust.org. The new website incorporates comments and feedback from our members as well as external audiences in an effort to be more user-friendly and organized.

The new website offers a simple and clean design. At the same time, we added several new components, and improved those previously available, to add more value to our audiences and to make it easier to locate information. New features are integrated with the Florida Trust Blog, our YouTube and Twitter accounts.  Our new statewide calendar provides information about educational programs and events.  We invite our preservation partners to submit brief information for this feature.

Our new website features:

• Improved navigation
• Statewide calendar of events
• Opportunity to advertise vintage homes
• Directory of business members
• Enhanced recognition of Preservation Award winners
• Multimedia presentations of Florida’s Most Endangered Historic Sites
• Expanded descriptions of Florida’s Passport Program and featured Historic sites
• Enhanced and expanded resources for our audiences
• Extensive library of videos, photos, and photo slide shows
• Site map for easy access to resources

Over the next few weeks you may experience some minor challenges finding certain information on the new website.  Bear with us as we put the final touches on the new site.

Also, please help us fulfill our educational mission; take the Florida Trust’s 2010 Education Survey. For those who have already responded – thank you!

If you have any questions, concerns or feedback, please send an email to information@floridatrust.org.

Please click here to visit the new website.

Nancy H. Maddox
President

The Edison & Ford Winter Estates has been awarded a $50,000 preservation grant for Restoration of the Edison Botanic Laboratory by the Florida Legislature through the Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State, assisted by the Florida Historical Commission.  The Edison Botanic Laboratory is located at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, Florida.

The Edison Botanic Laboratory was a project of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone who were searching for a viable source of organic rubber which could be grown and produced in southwest Florida.  Through their work, they discovered that goldenrod leaves would  produce the latex to be distilled for a commercial source of rubber.  The Laboratory and the surrounding research gardens were active in the 1920’s and 1930’s and established the winter homes of the two inventors as a center for plant research.  Today, the site is one of the most visited historic home sites in America and serves more than 200,000 visitors and school children every year.

The grant from the State of Florida is part of a total $630,000 project for restoration of the original 1928 laboratory structure.  Additional funds have also been received from The 1772 Foundation, HUD EDI grants, the Edison Ford Winter Estates Foundation, and the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Inc.

It is planned that the laboratory building will remain open throughout the project. Architects for the project are Parker Mudgett Smith.  Chris-Tel Company is the restoration contractor.

Do you have preservation-related news you would like to share with the Florida preservation community? Please send a brief description to Mathias Bergendahl, Executive Director, at mathias@floridatrust.org. We will gladly share both pictures and videos.

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The Florida Division of Historical Resources needs your help to save Florida’s shipwrecks.  To help Save Our Shipwrecks and make a positive difference in our coastal communities, please participate in the Pepsi Refresh Project’s Do Good for the Gulf Initiative and cast your vote today!

In 2010, Pepsi is giving away millions of dollars to fund good ideas, big and small, that make the world a better place, refresh communities, and benefit others.  Known as The Pepsi Refresh Project, this initiative provides $1.3 million in grant funds each month in support of ideas submitted and voted on by the public.  In recognition of the significant challenges caused by the Gulf oil spill, Pepsi is giving away an extra $1.3 million towards ideas that benefit communities affected by the oil spill during the month of August.

Public voting begins on August 2 and runs through August 31, so visit http://gulf.refresheverything.com/saveourshipwrecks and cast your vote today!

The Florida Division of Historical Resources’ Save Our Shipwrecks project will preserve shipwrecks threatened and at risk because of the oil spill, enhance environmental restoration efforts in the Gulf, stimulate economic development in Florida’s impacted coastal communities, and inspire and empower education and conservation through interactive learning opportunities.

Florida boasts thousands of distinctive and historically significant shipwrecks ranging from the 1559 Emanuel Point Wrecks off Pensacola, representing the site of two known Spanish vessels sunk during a storm, to the USS Narcissus, a Civil War era Union Tug Boat that sunk following an onboard explosion in 1865.  In the region immediately impacted by the oil spill, there are scores of shipwrecks, including more than 40 along the Florida Panhandle.  Some of the wrecks are archaeological preserves, like the USS Massachusetts, the oldest existing American Battleship.  Others, like the USS Oriskany, a retired aircraft carrier, have become a “Great Carrier Reef” providing vitally important aquatic ecosystems and habitats for marine life.  These sites are also popular destinations for fishermen, divers, historians and students, and as such are an important economic engine for coastal communities.

Accordingly, the Save Our Shipwreck project will preserve Florida’s signature shipwrecks for future generations, produce a strategic plan for shipwreck-based environmental restoration efforts, generate school-based programs and exhibits, provide digital learning experiences for the general public, develop heritage and eco-tourism travel itineraries around the wrecks, and establish additional underwater archaeological preserves in Florida’s Gulf Coast waters.

So, if you want to help preserve historic shipwrecks, enhance environmental restoration efforts, stimulate economic development in coastal communities, and inspire and empower educational and conservation initiatives, please go to http://gulf.refresheverything.com/saveourshipwrecks and vote today!

The Florida Division of Historical Resources, a division of the Florida Department of State, provides leadership, technical assistance, and public grant support in the fields of historic preservation, archaeology and folklife.  For more information on the Florida Division of Historical Resources, please visit http://flheritage.com. To learn more about Florida’s shipwreck preserves, please also visit http://www.museumsinthesea.com/.

To Save Our Shipwrecks and help our coastal communities recover from the oil spill, we need your help and we need your vote, so please visit http://gulf.refresheverything.com/saveourshipwrecks today.