Newsletter | November 2019
Library Mural FUNDRAISER
$500 Donation

Original Mural Rendering Art Sale & Gala
To see pictures of the renderings that will be for sale CLICK HERE.

To Purchase Tickets CLICK HERE
The Library in Punta Gorda
– The History Continues…
The City of Punta Gorda donated the land at 260 Retta Esplanade beside the Memorial Auditorium, in what was then Cross Park, for the new library. The County Commissioners provided some funds and private donations starting coming in. Local contractors donated labor and materials. The new library project became a community-wide effort.
A 1-room library was built in 1957 and named the Charlotte County Public Library and was the first library building constructed in the county. The building was dedicated in early 1958 and a full-time librarian, Mrs. Muriel Goddard, was hired in the fall. Louis Calder, the owner of the Allapatchee Hunting Lodge, financed an addition of a reading and reference room and later two offices in 1959. A side addition was added in 1962 and air conditioning was added in the summer of 1965.
In 1973 the library was renamed the Punta Gorda Public Library. After 16 years at this location, the library had outgrown the space. A larger library was needed to house the growing collection.
(Reference: Various newspaper clippings and information provided by The Friends of the Punta Gorda Library)
Punta Gorda Herald, November 15, 1956.
November Update on Library Mural Fundraising
Online: visit www.puntagordamurals.org/donate
PGHMS, PO BOX 510506, Punta Gorda, FL 33951
Interested in Our Local History?
“Punta Gorda’s Founder Isaac Trabue: The Untold Story”
Wednesday, December 5th
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Free
Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association
2001 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda
Get the Full Story
Sign Up for These 2 Popular History Classes
January, February & March Dates Listed Below
Part 1 – “The Early Years” – from pre-Spanish Exploration to pre-WWI
Part 2 – “Post World War I” – continuing the story from WWI to modern-day
2001 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda
Cost: $18/Class or $30 for both Classes
Class Size is limited ~ Register at PGICA Office or call 941-637-1655
Check the schedule at CLASSES
Part 1 – The Early Years | Part 2 – Post World War I | ||
Tuesday, Jan 28 | 1 – 3pm | Thursday, Jan 30 | 1 – 3pm |
Monday, Feb 17 | 1 – 3pm | Wednesday, Feb 19 | 1 – 3pm |
Tuesday, Mar 17 | 1 – 3pm | Thursday, Mar 19 | 1 – 3pm |
In Our Community
Help the Punta Gorda Fire & Police Departments Spread a Little…
“CHRISTMAS CHEER”
Once again we’re sharing the story of an amazing volunteer program that the PG Fire Department (PGFD) and PG Police Department (PGPD) participate in each season called “Christmas Cheer.” It serves the students of Baker Center School who are 5 months to 5 years of age, many of which are in great need this holiday season.
This program grew out of a teacher’s request many years ago to PGFD seeking a “sponsor” to provide her students with a small Christmas toy. It was learned they may not be getting any gifts for Christmas and were lacking food and warm clothes during the winter. The teacher told stories of a boy in her class taking a girl’s coat to wear because he didn’t have one of his own and another student putting their school lunch in their pockets to feed a younger sibling at home.
PGFD adopted her class that year, raising enough money to provide a winter jacket and a Christmas toy for each child. The story was shared and Walmart donated a send-home holiday meal for each student. It was discovered that this was not an isolated case in this school and over the years, PGFD and PGPD joined forces to sponsor more classes, reaching 200 children last December.
This season their goal is again to support the entire school (200 students). They need help to make this happen. If you’d like to support them, please donate a Walmart Gift Card to PGFD or PGPD to purchase the items for each child. All amounts are welcomed. Donations are needed by 11/22 and can be dropped off to Jen Molnar, Fire Marshall, at the Public Safety Building, 1410 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda.
The ‘Society’ isn’t really a society in the true sense of the word, but actually a small Board of Directors who oversees the organization and its activities. We currently have a few openings on our board and are looking to find a ‘few good volunteers‘ as potential board members. As supporters, we know you are interested in the Society and the work we do. If you are interested in getting more involved, please contact us to better understand what being a Director on our Board is all about. I would love to meet with you to discuss what’s involved and see if its a fit for your time and talents. Please contact me at this email (kgaylord320@gmail.com).
Kelly Gaylord, President
Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society