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2010-2011 Annual Fund: A “Honey-Do List” and a “New Front Door”

Summer is fast approaching, yet spring cleaning continues at my house.  I’ve still got a long “Honey-Do List” -- my husband and I share the cleaning and repair duties -- plus some future home improvement projects in mind, too.  Perhaps I watch too many TV home and garden shows, but if one’s home is indeed one’s castle, then I think it’s important to not only maintain one’s property, but to periodically update it, too.  Finances permitting, of course!

At Historic Spanish Point, we also balance a lengthy need-to-do maintenance list with a want-to-do wish list.  Our 30 acres, seven historic buildings, and beautiful gardens are valuable tools for connecting visitors with this region’s rich environment and fascinating history -- but only if we keep them in good working order!  That’s why Historic Spanish Point has a “Honey-Do List.”  When lights burn out, we change them, and if a faucet leaks, it’s fixed.  The Butterfly Garden is mulched and lawns are mowed.  Mrs. Palmer’s Pergola is cleaned and porches are swept.  Plus we gas up the trams and keep paths clear for docent-led tours.  Our staff and volunteers tackle these tasks every day so Historic Spanish Point is ready for you and your guests, plus thousands of other visitors, to enjoy daily.

The museum’s unrestricted operating income, comprised of admission, program, and event proceeds, rental and store receipts, grants, and your and fellow supporters’ generous membership and Annual Fund contributions, supports these and many other daily maintenance and preservation tasks. 

While we are close to meeting our Annual Fund goal for the current fiscal year (ending June 30, 2011), we still need to raise $10,000 to operate the museum successfully this summer.

Will you please join me today in making an extra, unrestricted Annual Fund donation?

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At the same time, we have a “Want-to-Do List” of projects designed to fulfill our mission to connect people of today with 5,000 years of human history in southwest coastal Florida.  High on the list is our desire to better showcase the museum’s entrance in order to attract more visitors, properly welcome you and your guests, and enhance our community.  Accordingly, the Board of Directors has determined that improvements to Historic Spanish Point’s U.S. 41 frontage -- including beautiful landscaping, better lighting, and new signage -- must be an organizational priority. 

In 2008, Board member Ann “Stevie” Wilberding and her husband Stephen Van C. Wilberding pledged an extraordinary $100,000 to this Entrance Project.  Per the Wilberdings, the Association is allowed to cite their exceptional pledge to encourage and match additional project contributions and grants. Unfortunately, Stevie passed away before we could launch the entrance campaign.  I am pleased to report, however, that we now have received many generous donations towards it, including a $50,000 leadership gift from the late Roland Abraham, Jr. and the contributions that we gratefully acknowledge later in this VISION.  This fantastic support allows us to finalize plans for Historic Spanish Point’s entrance!  Please stay tuned for more breaking news about the Entrance Project and a “New Front Door” for your museum.

These are exciting times at Historic Spanish Point, as you continue to help us preserve and interpret this unique National Historic Register Site for our families to enjoy today and future generations to enjoy tomorrow.  With an essential “Honey-Do List” to fund plus a great “New Front Door” in the making, we’ve got lots to accomplish . . . and together, we will!

Thank you in advance for demonstrating through your unrestricted Annual Fund gift your belief in this special place’s value.  I look forward to hearing from you soon and to seeing you here this summer.

Linda Mansperger, Executive Director