Sarasota Homeowners Share Historic Restoration Journeys

Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation hosts roundtable with four local homeowners who have restored historic properties.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 11:15pm

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The Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation (SAHP) is hosting a roundtable event on February 21 at the Crocker Church, where four local homeowners will share their experiences restoring historic homes in the Sarasota area. The panelists include the Davis family, who restored two 1926 Owen Burns-designed bungalows, the van Deventers, who modernized the interiors of two Laurel Park bungalows while preserving the historic exteriors, the owners of a rare 1948 Lustron Home, and an Ohio couple now tackling the restoration of a Venice architectural gem.

Why it matters

The event aims to highlight the real challenges and rewards of historic home restoration, in hopes of inspiring more Sarasota residents to preserve the city's architectural heritage rather than let historic properties be demolished. As Sarasota continues to evolve, maintaining a connection to the past through the restoration of historic homes is seen as an important way to retain the city's unique character.

The details

The SAHP roundtable will feature four Sarasota-area homeowners who have taken on the task of restoring historic properties. Susan and Jim Davis restored two 1926 Owen Burns-designed bungalows in the Burns Court neighborhood that had previously been used as a restaurant. Michelle and Paul van Deventer recently finished modernizing the interiors of two Laurel Park bungalows, including the 1939 Fredrickson House, while keeping the historic exteriors intact. Christopher Wilson and Selma Goker own one of the last remaining Lustron Homes in Sarasota County, a metal-clad prefab house built in 1948. And Michael and Alice Jeromin, experienced preservationists from Ohio, are now tackling the restoration of a historic property in Venice.

  • The SAHP roundtable event will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
  • The event will run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The players

Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation (SAHP)

A local organization dedicated to preserving Sarasota's historic buildings and architectural heritage.

Susan and Jim Davis

Sarasota homeowners who have restored two 1926 Owen Burns-designed bungalows in the Burns Court neighborhood.

Michelle and Paul van Deventer

Sarasota homeowners who have recently finished restoring two Laurel Park bungalows, including the 1939 Fredrickson House, while modernizing the interiors and preserving the historic exteriors.

Christopher Wilson and Selma Goker

Owners of one of the last remaining Lustron Homes, a prefab metal-clad house built in 1948, in Sarasota County.

Michael and Alice Jeromin

Experienced historic preservationists from Ohio who are now tackling the restoration of a historic property in Venice, Florida.

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What they’re saying

“This is the first time we've hosted an event like this. We want people to hear the real stories—what's rewarding, what's tough. Maybe it'll inspire more folks to save these homes instead of letting them get torn down.”

— Erin DiFazio, Managing Director, Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation

The takeaway

By highlighting the personal experiences of Sarasota homeowners who have taken on the challenge of restoring historic properties, the SAHP roundtable aims to inspire more residents to preserve the city's architectural heritage and prevent the demolition of historic homes in favor of new development. The event underscores the rewards and difficulties of historic preservation, with the goal of fostering a greater appreciation for Sarasota's unique history and character.