Florida’s Preservation Toolkit: How You Can Be A Part of Preservation Advocacy

Florida’s Preservation Toolkit: How You Can Be A Part of Preservation Advocacy

Melissa Wyllie

CEO and President of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation

Saturday, May 16 | 10:15 – 11 a.m.

Preserve the ’Burg Restoration & Design Expo

St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club

Historic preservation happens through people — and you can be a part of it. Melissa will share how to connect with your community through meaningful conversation and action to raise awareness, build relationships, and make a compelling case for preserving our historic places.

Melissa Wyllie is President and CEO of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, leading statewide efforts to protect Florida’s heritage. A national preservation advocate and Certified Nonprofit Professional, she holds advanced degrees in nonprofit management and is pursuing a PhD in History at Florida State University.

Join Preserve the ’Burg for a day dedicated to historic homes, thoughtful design and St. Pete’s architectural heritage at the annual Restoration & Design Expo. Held at the iconic St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, this free community event brings together local vendors, preservation tradespeople and experts in historic restoration, home décor and period-appropriate design.

Connect with professionals who specialize in restoring older homes, explore vintage-inspired home décor and design ideas, and attend presentations on topics including accessory dwelling units (ADUs), best practices for rehabilitation and how to research your home's history. Learn about the architectural styles that define St. Petersburg’s neighborhoods and discover resources available to property owners and community advocates.

The Expo will also feature guided tours of the historic Mirror Lake area, offering an up-close look at one of the city’s treasured neighborhoods and its distinctive architecture.

Whether you’re restoring a historic bungalow, researching your home’s past, decorating with vintage flair, or simply curious about St. Pete’s history and design, the Restoration & Design Expo offers tools, tips, resources, and a little St. Pete-inspiration.

The Expo is presented in partnership with the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation and their Preserve Florida Conference, taking place May 14 and 15 in St. Petersburg. Visit the Florida Trust website here to register.