With coming renovations of St. Pete’s historic Palladium, one thing remained uncertain: What would become of the theater’s resident instrument, the massive Skinner Organ Opus 552?

The organ, which had been at the theater since it opened in 1925, is admittedly seldom used these days. But when Donna Guillaume, Dean of the St. Petersburg Chapter of American Guild of Organists, found out it was going to be removed, she had one response: “What?”

“Over the years, members of our local organists guild played the Skinner Organ,” says Guillaume. “Barry Stevens was the resident organist [when the building was still the] Church of Christ, Scientist, from 1970 through 1987.… Read More

As was the case for so many others in our community, Hurricane Helene showed no mercy to the St. Petersburg Woman’s Club. This 112-year-old historic landmark in Snell Isle suffered damage that had devastating effects on the club. Flood waters rose over two feet throughout the lower level of the building destroying floors, carpets, cabinetry, and furniture. FEMA required the club to throw out almost everything; they had to rebuild their kitchen, bathroom, and main meeting and event spaces, as well as upgrade the electrical system. 

While the storm destroyed many documents and records, Club President Barbara Sundholm said, “Fortunately, we moved all of our archives upstairs, and so those important historic items were not damaged.” … Read More

Since 1922, the St. Petersburg Museum of History has been collecting both rare and common materials relating to life in Florida, specifically St. Pete and the Pinellas peninsula. Today, the collections contain over 40,000 objects and over 25,000 photographs, books, maps, and other ephemera in the archives. Executive Director Rui Farias recently talked to us about what’s new and upcoming at the museum and what it’s like to have his “dream job.”

How do you feel about being the keeper of over 100 years of history for St. Petersburg?

I love it! It was a job I was meant to have.… Read More

The Cressy House was built in 1922 and designed by St. Pete’s first professional architect, Edgar Ferdon

When Sandra and Michael Taradash moved to St. Petersburg from Palos Verdes Estates, California they knew they wanted to live in the Old Northeast. They began touring homes, and after viewing the “Cressy House,” they made an offer within 24 hours. They had found their new home.  

The Cressy House, situated at 625 20th Avenue NE, was built in 1922 by Hennessy and Taylor and designed by architect Edgar Ferdon. Ferdon was the city’s first professional architect and is credited with designing the Crislip Arcade as well as the First Congregational Church downtown.… Read More

Daddy Warbleson on Beach Boulevard.

Ten years ago, the Warbleson family – Daddy, Mama, and six youngsters – arrived in St. Petersburg. At the time of their arrival, they were quite the celebrities. Mayor Rick Kriseman celebrated them and the Tampa Bay Times featured them in an article on Christmas Day, 2014. The story goes that the youngest Warbleson, Buddy, got lost somewhere along Beach Drive and the family fanned out to find him. Mama Warbleson looked at the Vinoy, and Daddy at the Birchwood. Betty, Bethany, Brian, Beatrice, and Benny took up positions at North Straub Park, South Straub Park, the Museum of Fine Arts, the 200 block of Beach Drive, and the Museum of History, respectively.… Read More

The Palladium Theater may soon go through a multi-million-dollar interior transformation. The Northeast neighborhood icon already received $850,000 from the Florida senate this summer, and much of those funds will go into the design and consulting teams who will redesign the Palladium interior. 

Executive director Paul Wilborn says the organization is applying for another $850,000 grant from the senate to aid with construction costs. In addition, the Palladium is launching a fundraising campaign with a $10 million final goal and an end date of 2025. 

“It’s a lot of money, but we’re confident we can [raise it],” Wilborn said. “The majority of the money will come from private donors.” … Read More

Slugger Babe Ruth, the Iron Horse Lou Gehrig, Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio and… best-selling author Dennis Lehane. Three are Yankees and the fourth is “a Yankee.” All are part of the Old Northeast lore of colorful characters and notable people who’ve passed through the neighborhood. However, separating fact from fiction is tricky. 

The Great Bambino is referenced so often HONNA could sell signs saying “Babe Ruth Slept Here.” It might be a real moneymaker, given the number of places he’s said to have hung his cap over the course of fifteen springs in St. Pete. From the Flori de Leon Apartments (where he and Gehrig rented dualling penthouses) to the Jungle Country Club Hotel to the Snell Isle Apartments, the Babe got around.… Read More

Many residents noticed that last year’s Hurricane Ian brought down several of the medjool date palms along Coffee Pot Bayou. The popular winding promenade was already patchy as storms and other factors have felled at least 16 of the majestic palms since they were planted more than 20 years ago. But there’s good news for fans of the exotic trees: The city of St. Pete has plans to restore them to their frond-ish glory. 

Brian Eichler, assistant director of St. Pete’s Parks and Rec department, says that the city will replant. “The city is in the process of receiving quotes for replacement of the palms and reviewing the current conditions of the areas that the trees were planted in to make sure they are suitable for replanting,” he said.… Read More

If a person playing the game when St. Pete’s shuffleboard club first opened 99 years ago encountered glow-in-the-dark courts, they wouldn’t believe their eyes. But don’t worry, purists – the look is only temporary. 

In March, St. Pete Shuffle, at 559 Mirror Lake Drive North, lit up downtown after volunteers and staff painted eight of the courts with glow-in-the-dark paint and blasted the area with UV lights. “It looked really cool, I have to admit,” said club member and volunteer Doug Dozark. “Like cosmic bowling, but outside, for shuffleboard.” 

Dozark’s such a fan of the club, he and his wife had their wedding there.… Read More

In St. Pete, our beloved Vinoy Resort was sold, renovated, and just named a member of the Marriott’s prestigious luxury Autograph Collection. An icon for nearly 100 years, the Vinoy has survived a lengthy renovation, while locals played the waiting game with faith that her refreshed look would still reflect the resort’s rich history.

The hotel has always endured the highs and lows of life with a certain charm, managing to entertain guests from movie stars and dignitaries to presidential candidates and demanding brides. Celeb sightings are legendary: the Princess of Spain, Jimmy Stewart, Babe Ruth, the du Ponts, the Guggenheims, and more have walked her halls.… Read More