15 markers will note Newtown’s development, schools and legacy of activism. NEWTOWN — Vickie Oldham feels like something is missing when she walks the streets where she grew up. She felt it when she strolled communities like St. Petersburg or Fort Pierce that honored the history of their black communities through legacy trails and monuments. […]

Historic markers celebrate the men and women who championed community’s residents, schools and businesses SARASOTA — One by one, Vickie Oldham called up members of the Newtown community from the crowd in the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex on Saturday morning, urging them to stand by the historical marker commemorating their impact. Here were members […]

“A local project to compile and commemorate the history of Newtown, Sarasota’s historically black community, won a statewide historic preservation award over the weekend.” Read more about the award in this article from the Sarasota Herald Tribune: https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20170522/newtown-alive-project-wins-statewide-historic-preservation-award

“Vickie Oldham and the rest of the team behind Newtown Alive began researching and consolidating the history of Newtown in 2015 with a simple directive.They created a 365-page research report using 22 oral history interviews from Newtown residents, collected primary and secondary source historical documents and created an inventory of Newtown’s historic structures. Since then, […]

“A dedication ceremony of Newtown’s 15 historic markers, a trolley tour and “Taste of Newtown” was held on April 8 to celebrate the people, traditions, and historic places of Sarasota’s African American community.” Read more from Tempo News: http://temponews.suncoastpress.com/default.aspx?iid=152463&startpage=page000#folio=1

“The living history of a community once segregated from Sarasota. That’s what Newtown Alive has preserved – in all its success and struggle – and that’s what the project’s director Vickie Oldham shared with guests from New College and wider Sarasota last week as part of the New Topics series held in the Mildred Sainer […]

By Linda Carson Posted by abc7 MySuncoast A project called “Newtown Alive” is now being put in place throughout Newtown. It guides you through Newtown’s history and introduces you to the trail blazers, the men and women who make Newtown a great place to call home. Fifteen large colorful signs with pictures are being installed in […]

By Linda Carson Posted by abc7 MySuncoast A project called “Newtown Alive” is now being put in place It guides you thru Newtown’s history and introduces you to the trail blazers, the men and women who make Newtown “a great place to call home”. 15 large colorful signs with pictures are being installed in Newtown, marking […]

By Elizabeth Djinis Posted by the Heraldtribune SARASOTA — One by one, Vickie Oldham called up members of the Newtown community from the crowd in the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex on Saturday morning, urging them to stand by the historical marker commemorating their impact. Here were members of the community who had provided some of […]

Picture above: John Rivers in his 20s. He was assistant to Neil Humphrey Sr., the first Sarasota NAACP president, then succeeded Humphrey as leader of the organization. Posted Jun 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Vickie Oldham, Guest Columnist The recently completed “Newtown Alive” history report is filled with examples of the courage, dignity and determination of African-American residents and […]

Pictured above: Fannie McDugle after her oral history interview with Vickie Oldham. Newtown Conservation Historic District Project strives to preserve and celebrate legendary African-American community in Sarasota. By Amanda Smith   Black History Month is, above all, a celebration of the massive achievements by African Americans – and a recognition of the central role they played […]

“Manasota ASALH in partnership with historian Ms. Vickie Oldham – ASALH member –was awarded a grant to map and document the 100-year history of the Newtown Community located within Sarasota, Florida. As Newtown commemorates its 100th anniversary, attention is focused on its past, present, and future. It is important because the hard work, sacrifice, and […]