Some of our Work in 2018

We appreciate having you as part of an engaged, committed and diverse historic preservation community in Florida. With your support 2018 has been a busy and successful year. Here is a quick look at some of the things you made possible in 2018.

This year we celebrated 40 years of protecting Florida’s historic places and the extraordinary people who made it possible. We also hosted our 40th Florida Preservation Conference in Jacksonville, which included the announcement of our 2018 Florida's 11 to Save and our 2018 Florida Preservation Award winners.

We built upon our commitment to serve as conscientious historic property stewards. We applied, and ranked well, for a Division of Historical Resources Special Category grant to address the need for a new roof, repairs to wood siding and new paint for the Florida Trust House in Tallahassee. We also launched a successful capital campaign to support that effort. We added an additional historic preservation easement to our easement program, and dedicated significant time and resources to advocate and protect the properties in our care.

In 2018 we focused on nurturing an inclusive, engaged preservation community. Some of our efforts in support of that goal include the launch of an updated Florida Preservationist, a full-color magazine filled with interesting and educational content, an Annual Report for our membership and sponsoring and hosting the first Slave Dwelling Project and community event in Florida. We hosted our 40th anniversary Florida Preservation Conference in Jacksonville, and celebrated Florida Preservation Award winners throughout the state as part of our programming.

We also amped up our advocacy work, with multiple visits with Florida legislators and two visits with national lawmakers in Washington, D.C. during the year. We used these office visits to hear what is happening in each law maker’s district, and to share how historic preservation and its economic benefit enhance communities. We partnered with organizations like the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Preservation Partners Network and Preservation Advocacy, the national grassroots lobby for historic preservation, as we collaborated with preservationists around the country to support preservation-friendly legislation.

This October we relaunched our Insider’s Tours with a special Insider’s Tour: Key West. Festivities kicked off with a sunset cruise aboard the Schooner Spirit of Independence followed by a reception at Conch Republic Seafood Company. Guests enjoyed a guided tour from the Key West Art & Historical Society through the Custom House, an educational tour from the Director of Archaeology at Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, Corey Malcom, A VIP tour and tasting at Papa's Pilar Rum Distillery, Hemingway Rum Company and two private historic home tours. Keep an eye out for additional Insider’s Tours in 2019.

Thank you for a wonderful year. We couldn't do this without your support. And, if you would like, help us kick of 2019 with a tax-deductible year-end gift.