Archives Corner
Mission
The Mission of the Venice Archives and Area Historical Collection is to collect and preserve historical and archeological material relating to Venice and the communities of Nokomis, Laurel, and Osprey whose histories have been interwoven from 1867 to the present.
Collections
The manuscript collections comprise the bulk of the historical collection and are cataloged by the individual or organization that donated the papers, records, letters, photo albums, and artifacts. They occupy over 500 linear feet of space in the Archives storage room.
In addition to the manuscript collections there are several large photographic collections including:
- an indexed general collection of 1,300+ images from the
pioneer era to present day,
- a 32 linear foot collection of negatives and contact prints of
images that appeared in the Venice Gondolier newspaper from
1962-1986, and
- over 3,500 images taken by local photographer Woody Thayer
from 1946-1976.
Many more photographs and slides are included in the manuscript collections.
Other Resources
- oral histories on audio cassette tape
- VCR tapes of local events
- old/new books indigenous to the area
- city directories and telephone books
- Venice News newspapers (1926 - May 1928)
- Venice Gondolier newspapers (1946-1986)
- City of Venice tax ledgers
- school year books
- postcards
- maps
Another important resource is the Vertical File, a carefully indexed collection of newspaper clippings and other material on subjects such as:
- early settlers
- city government
- recreational and leisure activities
- schools and churches
- economic development
Also available are current history, preservation, and archaeological journals and magazines.
Hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
351 South Nassau Street, Venice, FL 34285
Contact Director James Hagler at:
941-486-2487
Click on the title "Website" to access the Archives searchable on-line data base. At present there are limited collections on-line, but as resources are available additional collections will be added to the on-line database.
Exhibits
NEW
Dr. Fred Albee Permanent Exhibit
Needlework Exhibit
February 18 to
May 30
Public Access
