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In the 1960s, the Polish American Society of St. Petersburg, anchored in their clubhouse at 1343 Beach Dr. SE, welcomed Polish-American baseball players in town for Spring Training. Over on 13th Avenue South, the Melrose Clubhouse was home to the “Colored YMCA,” a meeting place for the first Black Boy Scout troop and the local NAACP.
For as long as I can remember, I've ventured from Tampa to explore the magical city just across the bay. It was just a short drive, but felt like a different world. Whether it was concerts at the historic State Theater (1924) or the iconic Detroit Hotel (1888) playing shuffleboard at the oldest courts in the nation (1927), or strolling historic Central Avenue in search of local shops and locally brewed beer, St. Petersburg has always possessed a certain powerful draw.
An active preservationist for as long as she can remember, our President, Robin Reed, was drawn to the unique historical past St. Pete has to offer. Since moving to our city twenty years ago, Robin has served two terms on the St. Petersburg Preservation Commission, currently serves on the board of her neighborhood association, and was named as Preservationist of the Year in 2019. In addition to community-based preservation projects, Robin and her husband landmarked their own Mediterranean Revival Style home in 2010.
