Venice Area Historical Society

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Recent Events

Here are some recent events in which VAHS members and guests have participated.

We hope you would consider joining in the fun too!

Circus Mural Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony - November 8, 2025

Coffee and pastries were generously provided by VABI.

Mayor Pachota addressing the crowd.

The crowd attending the ceremony.

Cutting the ribbon dedicating the Circus Mural.

Mayor Pachota, aritsts Mark Styles and Sami Makela, aerialists Chela and Tito Gaona, and Lynn Field of VABI.

The Circus Mural is officially dedicated.

VAHS "Centennial Celebration Exhibit" at the Venice Art Center - November 7, 2025

VAHS Centennial Celebration Exhibit at the Venice Art Center.

Mary Moscatelli, Executive Director of the Venice Art Center, addressing the crowd.

The crowd for the Opening Night Reception.

Dorian Hardy, Renata Gaona, Frank Wright, Tito Gaona, Bill Haberthur

Renata and Tito Gaona with Lynn Field of VABI.

Circus Mural artist Sami Makela with Tito Gaona.

Guests enjoying the reception.

ChuckO the Clown with his wife, Noriko.

Sue Chapman as Bertha Honoré Palmer and Tom Bowers as Dr. Fred Albee.

The many faces of Bertha Honoré Palmer.

Circus Mural artist Sami Makela with Bill Haberthur.

Beth Gehring greeting guests.

The Ringling Museum - October 1, 2025

Entrance to the Ringling Museum

Entrance to the Circus Museum

Circus Mural

Peggy Williams, a graduate of Clown College, is at the top

World renowned aerialist Tito Gaona

Informational Panel for the Circus Mural

The Ringling Brothers

Miniature Circus Train

Miniature Circus Display

Vintage Circus Wagons

Vintage Circus Wagon

Vintage Circus Wagons

Zacchini Cannon

VAHS Board Member Bill Haberthur Entering the Ring

VAHS Board Member Bill Haberthur Driving a Clown Car

Elephant Harnesses

Gunther Gebel-Williams Elephant Blanket

Front Row: Renata & Tito Gaona, Brenda Holland, Frank Wright, Sheila & Tom Bowers. Back Row: Bill Haberthur, Norman Holland, Rick Coxson

Ringling's Private Railcar and Roll-Royce

Ringling's Private Railcar - The Wisconsin

The Wisconsin

1922 Silver Ghost Paddington Rolls-Royce

Tito Gaona admiring the Rolls-Royce

Informational Panel

Overview

The Ringling Museum of Art

Pop-Up Meet-Up at the Venice Yacht Club - August 27, 2025

The Venice Yacht Club

VAHS Members and Guests

VAHS President Frank Wright Addressing the Crowd

Listening to the Presentations

Past Commodore Donna Boldt

History of the Club

First Annual Summer Picnic at the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot Freight Room - July 9, 2025

The crowd in the freight room of the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot.

The luncheon selection with Bertha Palmer brownies!

Listening to Frank Wright's opening remarks.

Jeana Hilligoss portraying Ann Worthington.

Listening to Jeana's presentation.

Mary Huba, Frank Wright, Jeana Hilligoss, Fran Valencic

Field Trip to Tito Gaona's Trapeze Academy - July 2, 2025

Bill Haberthur Wearing Tito Gaona's Sequined Cape

The Back of the Cape

Tito Gaona Instructing Bill Haberthur

Bill Haberthur andFrank Wright

Frank Wright, Tito Gaona, Bill Haberthur, Brenda Holland, Tom Doherty

Tito Gaona and Bill Haberthur

The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze

The New Aerialist

Up, Up, and Away!

Pop-Up Meet-Up at the Zebra Lounge - May 7, 2025

Pop-Up Meet-Up at the Venice Theatre - March 26, 2025

Annual Meeting at the Pelican Pointe Gulf and Country Club - March 12, 2025

An Evening of Nostalgia in the arcade of the former San Marco Hotel - March 2, 2025

Phillippi Estate Park History Day - February 8, 2025

Venice Area Historical Society

PO Box 995

Venice, FL 34284-0995

information@veniceareahistoricalsociety.org

VAHS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and has registered with the State of Florida to solicit contributions. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN (800-435-7352) OR OUTSIDE (850-410-3800) FLORIDA. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.” Ch 32089

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