News

Dec 05, 2019

Newsletter | December 2019

Get a Small Taste of our Local History Join Us for the Second Lecture in Our 1-Hour Local History Series “Punta Gorda’s Founder Isaac Trabue: The Untold Story” THIS THURSDAY, December 5th 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Free Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association 2001 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda THE BOOKS ARE HERE! Our First Mural Book has been published, celebrating our 25th Anniversary. It’s filled with pictures of all the murals over the years, a little history and lots…Read More

Nov 20, 2019

Newsletter | November 2019

Library Mural FUNDRAISER SPONSOR a MURAL BOOK & Have Your Favorite Book Featured in the Library Mural Your Book’s Title will be painted on the spine of a shelved book in the mural $500 Donation Limited to only 25 Books – First Come First Serve Accepted Genres: (must be family-friendly) – Children or Youth Literature – Classic Novels set in Florida or Local History Books – Classic Literature To Sponsor a Mural Book: Complete this form & mail it in with…Read More

Sep 18, 2019

Newsletter | September 2019

PAINTING THE TOWN for the past 25 Years The Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society was incorporated on January 23, 1995, and it’s hard to believe that in five short months we’ll be 25 years young. We’re planning some exciting events to celebrate including publishing a 25th Anniversary BOOK!  Stay tuned for more details in next month’s newsletter. Over the years folks have shared stories and thoughts on how the murals have contributed to the character of our little town, o…Read More

Aug 15, 2019

Newsletter | August 2019

Now for a little HISTORY… Do you know what happened in Punta Gorda 60 Years ago, August 14th, 1959? The Hotel Charlotte Harbor burned to the ground! Originally the Hotel Punta Gorda, the hotel was built by a subsidiary of the Florida Southern Railroad after it arrived in town in 1886. Opening in 1888, the hotel’s early years brought the rich and famous to Punta Gorda. After 1895, success was sporadic and after closing in 1914, it sat empty for 10 years until it was sold to Barro…Read More

Jul 10, 2019

Newsletter | June 2019

“TAILS FROM THE HARBOR” The Mural is DONE! (Or is it?) The past five and a half months have included cold weather, fire ants, backaches, wet weather, lovebugs, more aches & pains, hot weather, and hundreds of interesting chats with folks who stopped to talk with artist Skip Dryda, and now the mural is finally finished!      We couldn’t be happier with the end product.  Once again Skip has created an amazing mural.  He added his signature last Friday which usually…Read More

Apr 08, 2019

Newsletter | April 2019

April Newsletter Walking Tours & History Classes are done for the Season Our Tours & Classes received Rave Reviews! Hopefully, you were able to join us for a tour or class this season and learned a little about our local history.  Our new wireless audio equipment was a great addition to our tours, significantly increasing the quality and experience.  Thanks again to the Shively Charitable Foundation and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County for providing the funds for this…Read More

Nov 13, 2018

Newsletter | November 2018

Our Fall Newsletter (and a little history)   Update on Our HARBORWALK Mural Good news on the permit front – Our public art permit application with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) was approved by the Tallahassee office.  We hope to have the final signatures in the next few weeks.  Our artist is still on schedule to start painting in December. Mural Walking Tours Will Start in January We’re pleased to be partnering with the Punta Gorda Chamber of Comm…Read More

Sep 04, 2018

Newsletter | September 2018

This month… Good News (and a little history) First the Good News… Fundraising is Complete! Thanks to a very generous charitable fund grant from Bill & Zoe Hopkins and the awarding of a Charlotte Community Foundation Investment Grant, we have secured the remaining funds needed to create the Harborwalk mural! We are thankful for all the support we receive from the Community and are excited to bring this amazing mural to our town.  The start date is set for November (w…Read More

Aug 10, 2018

Newsletter | August 2018

A little area history The original Barron Collier Bridge (Postcard from the Charlotte County History Collection)   If you’ve attended one of our history classes or a walking tour, you’ve heard us speak about Barron Collier and his influence on our area.  We have a bridge named after him, he had a major stake in one of our early banks, and he bought, renovated and renamed the old Hotel Punta Gorda into the Hotel Charlotte Harbor (seen in the background of the postcard abo…Read More

Jul 16, 2018

Newsletter | July 2018

    Hope you’re having a FUN Summer.   Here’s the latest news from the Mural Society   HISTORY CLASSES We recently divided our History Class into two parts and did a trial run last month. Over a dozen folks joined us for the new set of classes at the FGCU Renaissance Academy on June 25th and 27th, and the feedback was good. This new format gives us a chance to present the material at a little slower pace, provide more time for questions and discussion, an…Read More