Saying Goodbye to Historic 937 Victoria Drive

Gary and Amy Connors are auctioning away their historic, coastal home on Victoria Drive Saturday, April 27, as part of a gentle demolition that will allow them to rebuild there.

Gary Connors auctions away pieces of his beloved, historic, coastal home April 27 in hopes of preserving its memory. The auction sets in motion the first phase of a gentle demolition that will allow property owner Connors and his wife, Amy, to rebuild at 937 Victoria Dr. Dismantling the home is unavoidable. "Structurally, it's pretty well shot," he said as he prepared with the auctioneer Friday afternoon, the eve of the event. Connors pointed to the uneven hearth at the fireplace and other signs of the structural damage from standing more than 100 years.  He had four architects evaluate the 19th century home. Each time, he hoped the expert would be able to tell him how it could be restored.  County property records say the home was built …

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Victoria Drive Auction is April 27

Windows, doors, some furniture and more will be auctioned Saturday at 937 Victoria Drive. Sale proceeds benefit the Dunedin Historical Museum.

Sister City Dignitary from Scotland Visits Dunedin

Colin O'Brien, a former provost of Stirling, Scotland, shares historical significance of the sister city's upcoming anniversaries Thursday, while he is in town for the Dunedin Highland Games.

Visiting Scottish dignitary Colin O'Brien marks an upcoming anniversary with a different type of cultural exchange on Thursday. O'Brien, a former provost of sister city, Stirling, Scotland, is visiting Dunedin, not just for the Highland Games on April 13, but also to commemorate an upcoming 50 years of sisterhood. The 50-year anniversary of Stirling and Dunedin's sisterhood next year (2014), also marks another historically significant anniversary: the 700 years since the Battle of Bannockburn, a turning point in the Wars of Scottish Independence against England. It was fought in June 1314 near Stirling. O'Brien will share the cultural and historical significance of both anniversaries from Stirling's perspective on Thursday, April 11 at …

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Dunedin Historic Home Tour is Saturday

The Dunedin Historical Museum is hosting a tour of historic Dunedin homes Saturday. Tickets for the fundraiser are $20.

Confusion Follows $800K Vote for Dunedin Fine Art Center, Historical Museum, Blatchley House

A motion to fund only two of the three proposed projects in an $800,000 package benefitting the Dunedin Fine Art Center, Historical Museum and the Blatchley House at Weaver Park, left some officials confused and surprised at Thursday's city meeting.

Dunedin Commissioner Julie Scales made a last-minute clarification Thursday that left some officials seeking a legal opinion. Scales wanted to make clear, just before city leaders were to cast their vote, that her motion was not actually supporting all of what was proposed on Feb. 21. The motion to fund only two of the three proposed projects in an $800,000 package benefiting the Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin Historical Museum and the Blatchley House at Weaver Park, caught some officials off guard. "We all talked about all three items tonight," Mayor Dave Eggers said, trying to gain clarity. The original package proposal, called a "Quality of Life Initiative," included $500,000 to support a state grant application for a planned …

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-Ed Harris-

3:00 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013

This did not seem all that confusing to me. There is a lot going on in a commission meeting but this was no different than any other vote. Nobody's perfect but they do seem to have the procedural stuff down pretty good.   more ›

5 Ideas for the Weekend in Dunedin: Sexy Red Dresses, Bargains Galore

Looking for something different to do on your weekend in Dunedin? We found five things to do that you may not have originally considered.

1. Friday Fish Dinners in Dunedin. Get your weekend going with a laidback feast of fried fish from one of the many offerings about town. Your Friday will never be the same. 2. Sidewalk Sale. This two-day event close to downtown, not far from the Green Market, promises great treasures for deal-hunters, inlcuding household items, antiques, jewelry, pottery and electronics.  3. Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit: "Journey Stories". Time is running out to check out this amazing exhibit on loan from the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. Take advantage of some weekend downtime and see it. 4. Skinny Girl Red Dress Party. Ladies and gents, that red dress hanging in your closet (or your girlfriend's closet) could win you big prizes. Eddie's is awarding the…

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Leaders Vote on $800K Package for Dunedin Fine Art Center, Historical Museum, Blatchley House

City officials are considering the spending package for a possible wing at Dunedin Fine Art Center, entrance improvements at the Dunedin Historical Museum and a renovation project to turn the Blatchley House into an education center Thursday.

Dunedin leaders will consider an $800,000 package of expansion and restoration projects for three major art and cultural buildings at Thursday's commission meeting. The package, deemed a "Quality of Life Initiative," would spread the money among the Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin Historical Museum and the Blatchley House at Weaver Park for building expansions and restorations. Rob DiSpirito, city manager, is proposing the city allot $500,000 to support a state grant application for a planned expansion at Dunedin Fine Art Center. The Fine Art Center must have a $500,000 commitment from donors as part of a $1 million "local match" before the state will consider the facility for the grant. The June 1 eligibility deadline is looming, city …

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bill coleman

6:29 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013

This is a piece of what makes Dunedin a "want to live here city" Keep the "arts and culture" alive and growing. We are unique and our city leaders have the forsight to invest in our future. Growth is, not only in mortar and bricks; but growth and fuel for the mind and body.   more ›

Dunedin History Photo Gallery

View and submit photographs of Dunedin history right here. Look for new photos from the Dunedin Historical Museum each week.

This is a new feature showing off Dunedin's history and artifacts at the Dunedin Historical Museum. Each week the Dunedin Historical Museum will highlight a piece of our local history with new photos. But don't let the museum do all the work! We're sure you have some great photos of Dunedin's past in your family album. Upload them here! You can post historical photos on Twitter for us to share with #dunedinhistory.

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Charles Schelle

9:09 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013

Thanks BAW! Remember if you have any Dunedin photos of yesteryear, please post them here! And they don't have to be as old as 1924. Even the 1950s-1990s seem like classics today helping folks remember when certain businesses were on Main Street or taking a look at the cars parked along the road.   more ›

Free Folk Concert Celebrates Smithsonian 'Journey Stories'

A free folk concert guides listeners on a historic voyage in American songs from the 1500s to 1900s at Andrews Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, Jan. 30. It celebrates the Smithsonian's traveling "Journey Stories" exhibit at Dunedin Historical Museum.

Dunedin Museum's 'Journey' Competition Captures Family History from Kids

Children ages 6 to 18 are invited to enter Dunedin Historical Museum's "Journey Stories" competition, which captures the family histories of local residents. Deadline is Feb. 15.