• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

PHOTO GALLERY: Historical Buildings Tour and Back Porch Buffet


  • By Rachel S. OHara
  • | 4:00 a.m. October 25, 2011
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share
PHOTO GALLERY: Historical Buildings Tour and Back Porch Buffet
Linda Garcia and Jane Kirschner pose with a cutout of John Hamilton Gillespie.
Linda Garcia and Jane Kirschner pose with a cutout of John Hamilton Gillespie.
The Bidwell-Wood House and the Crocker Memorial Church in Pioneer Park.
The Bidwell-Wood House and the Crocker Memorial Church in Pioneer Park.
Docent Ed Orr, center, talks to Sandy Walker and Terry Greenwood about the Bidwell-Wood House.
Docent Ed Orr, center, talks to Sandy Walker and Terry Greenwood about the Bidwell-Wood House.
Dave, Kate, Lorraine and Maegan Durinzi listen to Kathryn Chesley, one of the docents inside the Bidwell-Wood House.
Dave, Kate, Lorraine and Maegan Durinzi listen to Kathryn Chesley, one of the docents inside the Bidwell-Wood House.
Carolyn Heath of the Broadway Bar serves up some pasta on the back porch of the Bidwell-Wood House, Tuesday, Oct. 25, as part of the Owen Burns Celebration Honoring John Hamilton Gillespie Week.
Carolyn Heath of the Broadway Bar serves up some pasta on the back porch of the Bidwell-Wood House, Tuesday, Oct. 25, as part of the Owen Burns Celebration Honoring John Hamilton Gillespie Week.
The Bidwell-Wood House was built in 1882, making it the oldest house in Sarasota.
The Bidwell-Wood House was built in 1882, making it the oldest house in Sarasota.
The Crocker Memorial Church was built in 1901.
The Crocker Memorial Church was built in 1901.
An inside view of the Crocker Memorial Church.
An inside view of the Crocker Memorial Church.
People enjoy eating their Broadway Bar dinner on the back porch of the Bidwell-Wood House.
People enjoy eating their Broadway Bar dinner on the back porch of the Bidwell-Wood House.
Hans Johnsson and Ken Goodman
Hans Johnsson and Ken Goodman
Howard Rosenthal, one of the docents for the Crocker Memorial Church, talks about the history of the church, Tuesday, Oct. 25, as part of the Owen Burns Celebration Honoring John Hamilton Gillespie Week.
Howard Rosenthal, one of the docents for the Crocker Memorial Church, talks about the history of the church, Tuesday, Oct. 25, as part of the Owen Burns Celebration Honoring John Hamilton Gillespie Week.
Angelika Wanless reads up on some of the history of Sarasota inside the Crocker Memorial Church.
Angelika Wanless reads up on some of the history of Sarasota inside the Crocker Memorial Church.
Howard Rosenthal, one of the docents for the Crocker Memorial Church, talks with Leaf Wanless and Debbie Milor.
Howard Rosenthal, one of the docents for the Crocker Memorial Church, talks with Leaf Wanless and Debbie Milor.
Diane and Pete Esthus enjoy their dinner on the back porch of the Bidwell-Wood House.
Diane and Pete Esthus enjoy their dinner on the back porch of the Bidwell-Wood House.
People enjoy eating their Broadway Bar dinner on the back porch of the Bidwell-Wood House.
People enjoy eating their Broadway Bar dinner on the back porch of the Bidwell-Wood House.
Joel Davies
Joel Davies
Clarissa Thomasson
Clarissa Thomasson
Jean M. Catsakis and Clarissa Thomasson pose in their tartans Tuesday, Oct. 25, inside the Saras DeSota DAR Chapter House, as part of the Owen Burns Celebration Honoring John Hamilton Gillespie Week.
Jean M. Catsakis and Clarissa Thomasson pose in their tartans Tuesday, Oct. 25, inside the Saras DeSota DAR Chapter House, as part of the Owen Burns Celebration Honoring John Hamilton Gillespie Week.
Carol and Frank VonAllmen pose together in one of the pews inside Crocker Memorial Church.
Carol and Frank VonAllmen pose together in one of the pews inside Crocker Memorial Church.

 

Latest News

Under Southwest Florida Water Management District's Phase III restrictions, water fountains can only run four hours per day.
  • April 5, 2026
Manatee County among 14 Southwest Florida counties under water restrictions
St. Regis at Longboat Key is a gulf-facing resort and condo development on the barrier island of Longboat Key. The Unicorp-developed property opened in 2024 at the former site of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.
  • April 4, 2026
St. Regis on track to receive permanent certificate of occupancy, eyes tennis courts
The Fruitville Townhomes site plan to replace the vacant former Sarasota Lanes bowling center.
  • April 4, 2026
Fruitville bowling alley submits plans to redevelop into 4-story townhomes
Deputies shoot and wound armed man
  • April 3, 2026
Deputies shoot and wound armed man

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Rev. Mason Waldhauser, associate rector for adult formation at Church of the Redeemer, leads the walk.
  • April 3, 2026
Stations of the Cross draws 1,000 in worship down Main Street
Steve Ross, his mother Irene Ross and sister Kimberly Ross
  • April 2, 2026
Passover holds powerful reminder for congregants at Temple Emanu-El
These dishes have delighted Sarasota-area barrier islands for decades.
  • April 2, 2026
These one-of-a-kind dishes are signatures of the keys
Hall of fame coach Urban Meyer gets back to work in his new community
  • April 2, 2026
Hall of fame coach Urban Meyer gets back to work in his new community
Nate Gold stands with his horse Alonzo.
  • April 2, 2026
The key to happiness? Rock climber-turned-horse trainer says it's all about flow
The spacious living area features 16-foot-high ceilings and views out to a forest of palm trees.
  • April 2, 2026
Lido Shores home pairs a modern aesthetic with splashes of personality

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now