Sarasota County History Center
The Sarasota County History Center is your one-stop shop for information and resources relating to Sarasota County’s remarkable past. The History Center is home to an extensive public archive focusing on local history and culture, as well as the Sarasota County Division of Historical Resources, which operates a number of historic preservation programs throughout the County. Those programs include:
• The Sarasota County Historical Marker Program – Publicly identifies historically significant sites around the County, including places whose original buildings or other structures are long gone.
• The Sarasota County Register of Historic Places – Including historic sites, buildings, and other structures that have been deemed historic according to criteria set forth in the County Code. Properties listed on the SCRHP are subject to certain protections and eligible for certain kinds of tax incentives.
• Resource Protection Program – Division staff review many types of building and development permits to determine whether the proposed activities will have an impact on archaeological sites or other historic sites in the vicinity. In cases where significant impact is expected, staff work with the permit applicants to avoid or mitigate that impact.
History Center Location and Hours
The Sarasota County History Center is located in the Osprey Library at 337 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229. The History Center is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
No appointment is required to visit, but you should know that some research materials are stored offsite and will need to be brought to Osprey before your arrival. Please visit: scgov.net/history there you can determine which collections are stored onsite versus offsite and learn how to request any offsite materials you wish to use. Staff pull offsite materials on Monday and Wednesday mornings.
Why did the History Center move to Osprey?
In February 2022, Sarasota County approved a plan to temporarily move the Sarasota County History Center to the Osprey Library while a new History Center building is planned and built. The History Center completed this planned move to Osprey in Spring 2023.
The new permanent History Center, which will be located adjacent to the Fruitville Library on Apex Road, is expected to open in 2027.
Additional Questions
Contact our History Center staff today, by dialing (941) 861-1110