Lemon Bay Woman's Club Historic Tour of Englewood

You can take your own journey in time through Englewood at a self-guided historic tour hosted by The Lemon Bay Woman’s Club. The members of the Club know a little something about local history as the group’s Clubhouse is the first building in Englewood named to the National Register of Historic Places. 

The LBWC already sponsors the popular Diaper Derby, welcoming babies to crawl across a cushioned mat on its hardwood floors. But when Chris Phelps approached Barbara Trumble, membership chair of the LBWC, to put together the tour, Trumble agreed. Her assignment was to find the area’s most historic locations and then draw up a map that Pioneer Days visitors could follow on their own.

Even though Trumble has lived in Englewood on and off for nearly 50 years, she wasn’t sure what buildings qualified for the tour. Luckily, the Lemon Bay Woman’s Club has an extensive historical archive worthy of its 100-year-history. The Lampp Building, Green Street Church and Lemon Bay Garden Club popped up on its pages. “I did a lot of reading, scanning old papers and talking to people,” said Trumble. 

In the process, Trumble learned a few things about her town. “I Found out that Kelly’s Tavern and the little house next to it were built out of the wood of the old Royal Casino,” she said. Kelly’s is one of 17 stops on the tour, all in Sarasota County

Trumble says that most of the tour can be done by just driving by the buildings. Many will not be open, but the Open Studio, Old Florida Outdoor Center and Gallery, and of course, The Woman’s Club, will be open and offer special activities during the tour. The Lemon Bay Garden Clubhouse will be closed, but Trumble said that members will offer tours of the Club’s impressive garden and answer questions about the building and grounds.. 

The Open Studio at 380 Old Englewood Road will open its doors at 10 am for tours, an art sale, pottery display, plant sale and more. The Juice Bar will also be open. “This is a wonderful opportunity to tour the grounds, see what’s new and learn about and sign up for our classes and workshops,” said Bill Lundgren. 

“At the Woman’s Club we’ll have an open house, with refreshments, a display on the history of the Club including scrapbooks and minutes, and members will be quilting and working on crafts,” said Trumble. The Club will also be accepting membership applications. “It’s a great organization. They do a lot for the community,” said Trumble. “It’s like a family. Everybody cares for everybody else.” 

They also care for their clubhouse. Trumble says that members of the Club treat the historic building like their home. “You have to take care of it and keep it in A-1 condition,” she said. 

The Pioneer Days Historical Tour, hosted by the Lemon Bay Woman’s Club, takes place from noon to 4 pm, Sunday, August 26 with open houses from 10 am to 4 pm at the Open Studio and 1 to 4 pm at the Lemon Bay Garden Club, 480 Yale Street, Lemon Bay Woman’s Club at 51 Maple Street and the Old Florida Outdoor Center at 463 W. Dearborn St. Other stops include Indian Mound Park, The Green Street Church Museum, Veterans Memorial and more. The official guide will be available at those four locations and is also available online at the Pioneer Days website. All stops will be marked with a feather flag. If you miss the tour, download the brochure and create your own tour at your leisure. The flags might be gone, but the buildings will be here, we hope for a very long time.