OUR MISSION

To promote the preservation and the inclusive sharing of the diverse architectural, historical and archaeological heritage of Florida.

WHO WE ARE

The Statewide Champion for Florida's Historic Places

The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation is the statewide nonprofit dedicated to protecting Florida’s extraordinary heritage and history. Founded in 1978, the Florida Trust has collaborated to save irreplaceable Florida treasures like the Historic Florida Capitol and is a statewide partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

 

We Focus on Four Key Areas to Accomplish Our Mission:

Connect

Speaking up for Florida’s heritage

Advocate

Advocate for historic preservation at the local, state, and national level.

Educate

Provide preservationists across the state with the educational tools they need.

Steward

Act as responsible stewards for the Florida Trust House and our easement properties.

A Legacy of Preservation

For more than four decades, Florida Trust has been at the forefront of protecting the places and stories that define Florida. Here are a few milestones in our journey.

1978

Florida Trust was Founded

1985

Easement Program was established

2008

11 to Save launched

OUR HISTORY

Milestones in Our Journey

1976
Initial preservation meetings held across Florida
1977
First statewide preservation conference
1978
Florida Trust for Historic Preservation is established
1979
First Florida Preservation Awards presented
1985
Easement Program is established
2005
Florida Trust House purchased
2007
Restoration of the Florida Trust House completed
2008
11 to Save Most Endangered Places launched
2019
Preservation on Main Street (POMS) launched
2022
Mortgage paid off & 11 to Save Grant Fund created
1976
Initial preservation meetings held across Florida
1977
First statewide preservation conference
1978
Florida Trust for Historic Preservation is established
1979
First Florida Preservation Awards presented
1985
Easement Program is established
2005
Florida Trust House purchased
2007
Restoration of the Florida Trust House completed
2008
11 to Save Most Endangered Places launched
2019
Preservation on Main Street (POMS) launched
2022
Mortgage paid off & 11 to Save Grant Fund created

BOARD OF TRUSTEES (2025 – 2026)

Ennis Davis

Board President, Jacksonville

Mark Zubaly

Board Vice President, Tallahassee

Laura Bessinger

Board Secretary, West Palm Beach

Kelly Perkins

Board Treasurer, St. Petersburg

Dr. Linda Stevenson

At-Large Trustee, Bradenton

Mercedes Harrold

At-Large Trustee, Jacksonville

Jenny Wolfe

Immediate Past President, Pensacola

Julie Byrd

St. Petersburg

Patricia Davenport-Jacobs

Jacksonville

Melissa Dunklin

St. Cloud

Crista Hosmer

Tallahassee

Melissa Schick

Pensacola

Scott Sidler

Orlando

Mike Thomin

Pensacola

Barry Underwood

Rockledge

Joseph Yates, III

Rockledge

Our Team

Melissa Wyllie

CEO & President

Laura Glenn

Development Director

Larry Crumbie

Program Manager

Danielle Humphrey

Relationship Coordinator

EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS

  • Tribal Historic Preservation Officer – Dr. Paul Backhouse, RPA | Clewiston
  • Acting Director of Historic Preservation Program, University of Florida – Dr. Cleary Larkin | Gainesville
  • State Historic Preservation Officer – Alissa Slade Lotane | Tallahassee
  • Florida Trust CEO & President – Melissa Wyllie, CNP | Tallahassee

FOUNDERS

Above: Alissa Slade Lotane and Melissa Wyllie

  • William Adams
  • Hibbard Casselberry*
  • Nancy Dobson*
  • Carl Feiss*
  • Martha P. Grafton*
  • E. L. “Roy” Hunt
  • Joan Jennewein*
  • Sallye Jude*
  • Connie Loucks
  • Frances MacIntyre*
  • Ross Morrell*
  • F. Blair Reeves*
  • Herschel Shepard, Jr.
  • William Turnbull

* Deceased

TRUSTEE EMERITUS

Those who have served on the Florida Trust Board of Trustees as an officer, and whose extraordinary contributions strengthened the organization.

  • Bill Adams
  • Peggy Dodson*
  • Barbara Hoffstot*
  • Harry Piper
  • F. Blair Reeves*
  • Herschel Shepard, Jr.
  • Nancy Dobson*
  • Carl Feiss*
  • William Turnbull
  • Myrice Craig*
  • Joan Jennewein*
  • Jean Bunch
  • Frank Perkins*
  • Sallye Jude*
  • Raymond Rose
  • E. L. “Roy” Hunt
  • Mary Barrow*
  • Martha P. Grafton*

* Deceased

  • Tim Blake
  • Jim Hartley
  • Frances Bourque
  • Kathleen Monahan
  • Don Slesnick, II
  • Ralph Johnson
  • Nancy Liebman
  • Mimi Reid Hardman*
  • Ellen Uguccioni
  • Roy Eugene Graham*
  • Dr. Leslee Keys
  • Bert Bender
  • Clay Henderson
  • Rick Gonzalez, AIA
  • Friederike Mittner
  • Carter Quina, AIA
  • Mark Tarmey, AIA
* Deceased

Above: (L – R) Emeritus members Clay Henderson, Leslee Keys and Don Slesnick II at the 2022  Florida Preservation Award ceremony in DeLand

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