Historic waterfront Gem of Tampa Bay hosting public open house this week

SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — Powel Crosley Estate, a historic waterfront mansion located in Sarasota, will be opening its doors up to the public on Wednesday for free tours.

The Powel Crosley Estate Open House will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 8374 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.

Every year the venue hosts an open house to encourage visitors to learn why the home was built.

Although the mansion serves as an event space for weddings and parties nowadays, it was built back in 1929 by Powel Crosley Jr. for his wife, Gwendolyn.

“To get his wife out of the cold winters of Cincinnati, she had tuberculosis,” Crosley Foundation Chairman David Wick explained.

Also known as Seagate, the two-and-a-half-story home was utilized seasonally by the couple until Gwendolyn died in 1939.

Crosley Jr. was known as an innovator, having owned several companies that made automobiles and radios.

He was also the owner of the Cincinnati Reds.

After his wife’s death in 1939, he did not use the Sarasota mansion much, instead allowing the US Army Air Corp to utilize it for housing.

“He did a lot of things for the war effort. People are amazed when they see the things he built,” Wick said.

Currently, the Powel Crosley Estate is owned by Manatee County.

Check out their website for venue booking and rate information.

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