- October 13, 2024
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The Newtown Historic District has been officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The district is now the largest Black historic district in Florida, based on the number of contributing resources, the city of Sarasota said in a news release.
“This is exciting news for the Newtown community,” District 1 City Commissioner Kyle Battie, who grew up in Newtown, said in the release. “Being listed in the National Register of Historic Places means the important history and special character of Newtown will be preserved for future generations."
The building permit process for structural modifications in the historic district will not change. Demolition applications now must be reviewed and approved by the Historic Preservation Board.
The Newtown Historic District includes 731 contributing resources, meaning the integrity, location and design have been retained for at least 50 years, including Galilee Cemetery, churches and other structures.
The district boundaries roughly are Myrtle Street to the north, 19th Street to the south, the Seminole Gulf Railway tracks to the west and U.S. 301 to the east.
A strategic, multiprong plan was set forth to document Newtown’s history to meet federal requirements to be placed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The process included:
The creation of the district was supported through a grant from the Underrepresented Communities program as administered by the National Park Service.
For more information, visit NewtownAlive.org or SarasotaFL.gov.