Historic Spanish Point joins Marie Selby Botanical Gardens as a companion campus
Video announcement from:
John McCarthy, Executive Director - Historic Spanish Point
Jennifer Rominiecki, President & CEO - Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Jon Thaxton, SVP for Community Investment - Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Dear Friends,

I hope you and your loved ones are staying healthy and safe. Although we are in the midst of unprecedented and challenging times, I do have some exciting news to share with you.

On behalf of the Gulf Coast Heritage Association’s Board of Directors, I am excited to announce that Historic Spanish Point will be joining Marie Selby Botanical Gardens as a companion campus as of May 1.

Despite our organization’s concerted efforts, we have been unable to grow sustainable revenues at a level that covers our operating budget. Fortunately, because of our compatible missions and geography, Selby Gardens is uniquely positioned to help us not only preserve Historic Spanish Point, but really reach its full potential.

I am excited to serve as Vice President of Selby Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point
campus going forward. With that I would like to introduce you to our President & CEO, Jennifer Rominiecki.

Regards,
John McCarthy

Executive Director, Historic Spanish Point
Greetings to all of you!

I am sorry we are unable to be together for this special announcement.
For those of you who may not be familiar with it, Selby Gardens’ Downtown campus is a 15-acre botanical garden less than 10 miles from Historic Spanish Point.

Combining two nonprofits with similar missions, we will now showcase air plants of the world, native nature, and our regional history at both our Historic Spanish Point and Downtown campuses.

Members from both campuses will benefit tremendously from this move, because you will now be able to enjoy both locations as part of your membership! Here are just a few other aspects that we are excited about:
  • The opportunity to preserve, protect, and sustain 30 bayfront acres in Sarasota County
  • Telling the story of Florida’s native plants and southwest Florida’s earliest inhabitants
  • Creating joint educational programs for children and adults
  • The ability to enhance Historic Spanish Point’s butterfly garden with the addition of an immersive butterfly house
  • Creating connectivity between both campuses by boat

Click HERE to read the news release with more information.
Click HERE to find our “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQs) about this announcement.

I look forward to seeing you at Selby Gardens as soon as it is safe to reopen -- at either our Historic Spanish Point campus or our Downtown campus! In the meantime, I send you and your families best wishes for wellness and safety.

All my best,
Jennifer O. Rominiecki

President & CEO, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens