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Heritage Village rehab lauded
Its makeover wins praise from a state preservation trust.
By JON WILSON
Published June 19, 2007
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Visitors navigate the sometimes hard to follow trails in Heritage Village. Pinellas County Commissioners are scheduled to consider an estimated $13-million, 15-year plan for Heritage Village which would address the physical layout of the property and its structures while maximizing the educational potential of the park.
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[Times photo: Scott Keeler]
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[Times photo: Ted McLaren]
McMullen-Coachman Log Cabin, built circa 1852.
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[Times photo: Ted McLaren]
The House of Seven Gables, built in 1907, is one of the restored buildings at Heritage Village in Largo.
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Pinellas County's Heritage Village, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary later this year, has been recognized as offering one of Florida's top historic attractions. The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation last month cited the 21-acre living history park for outstanding achievement in the restoration/rehabilitation category. "We knew the value of the work, and it's terrific to have it validated at the state level, " said Ellen Babb, Heritage Village historian. The recognition was a result of a monthslong project that restored most of the park's more than 30 historic structures. Crews made repairs and returned many buildings to their original colors. "It really changes people's ideas of what the past looked like, " Babb said. Research typically offers black-and-white glimpses of the past through old photos. The vibrant, original coloring provides visitors a fresh look, Babb said. The village includes a school, church, railroad depot, sponge warehouse and general store as well as a variety of historic homes. The homes range from the McMullen-Coachman Log Cabin, the oldest existing structure in the county, to the fully restored Queen Anne-style House of Seven Gables. Heritage Village is at 11909 125th St. N. Its anniversary celebration is Sept. 29, although visitors can see the new work 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. The village is closed Mondays.
[Last modified June 18, 2007, 22:35:50]
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