Subject:
Title
Case No. DES-26-01
Designation of the House of Seven Gables at Heritage Village as a Landmark on a Landmark Site.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Based upon the evidence and findings contained in the staff report and associated exhibits, Case No. DES-26-01 is recommended for approval.
• Adopt the resolution approving the designation of the House of Seven Gables located at Heritage Village, 11909 125th Street in unincorporated Largo, as a Landmark on a Landmark Site as per Section 146-6, Pinellas County Code.
• Pinellas County Parks & Conservation Resources is seeking historical designation for the House of Seven Gables as part of the commemoration of Heritage Village’s 50-year anniversary.
• The staff report prepared for the case includes findings whereby 19 of the 26 significance criteria outlined in Section 146-6, Pinellas County Code applies to this historic building.
• The staff recommendation is for approval of the proposed designation.
• The Pinellas County Historic Preservation Board recommended approval of the proposed designation (vote 9-0) at the public hearing held on January 21, 2026. No one appeared or provided correspondence in opposition.
• Letters of support for the designation have been received from the Pinellas County Historical Commission and the Pinellas County Historical Society.
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Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.4 Improve environmental quality
1.5 Strengthen resilience and adaptation
Summary:
Summary
The following Exhibits are included as attachments to the staff report:
• Exhibit A - Current Photos
• Exhibit B - Historic Images
• Exhibit C - Location Maps
• Exhibit D - Completed Application for Landmark on a Landmark Site
• Exhibit E - Florida Master Site File Form
• Exhibit F - As-built Elevation Drawings & Floor Plans
• Exhibit G - Historical Overview
Date of construction: 1907
Architectural style: Queen Anne
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
Character defining features include the following components of the building: the form, height, and plan of the main block of the building; materials, pitch, and configuration of the main roof; materials and type of the foundation; position, placement, and opening size of fenestration on all sides; materials, type and dimensions of the exterior cladding and trim; materials, access points, roof type, roof pitch, roof configuration, ceiling, rafters, decking, posts, trim, materials, roof type, access point, and decking on all porches; materials, type, configuration, means of operation, and trim of the windows; and the materials, style, type, and trim of the exterior doors on the building.
Existing conditions: An existing condition assessment was performed by Paul Palmer, AIA, LEED AP, Renker Eich Parks Architects, St. Petersburg with detailed findings summarized in the attached staff report.
Threats: The only immediate threat to the building is the deterioration of some exterior elements, as noted in the condition assessment above. Some of the bigger concerns
include the failing of porch sill beams, weathering of porch decks, decay of wood siding, and cracking/loosening of window glazing. Over the long term it is important that hurricane straps be installed on the building at roof-wall and wall-foundation connections to better fortify the structure against high winds.
Rehabilitative & adaptive use proposals: The House of Seven Gables shall remain as an exhibit at Heritage Village for the foreseeable future.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE SUMMARY
Historical Overview: See Exhibit G in the staff report for a detailed historical narrative.
Periods of significance for resource: 1907-1917 & 1976-1977
First Period of Significance: 1907-1917 (when located on the harbor bluff in Clearwater)
The House of Seven Gables meets criteria for important association with cultural, social, and architectural history of late 19th century Clearwater and western Hillsborough County and early 20th century Clearwater and northern Pinellas County. David and Mary (Robertson) Starr, first owners of the House of Seven Gables, were from prominent families of status and wealth in the established social class of Rockford, Illinois. In the 1880s they joined friends and family in the emerging trend of the Northeast and Midwest elite on the annual migration to Florida selecting Clearwater and Tarpon Springs as their preferred destination. The collective investment in local real estate and business endeavors made by winter visitors like the Starrs fueled the transition of this locale and much of Florida from wild frontier to winter resort within a couple of decades. The Starrs also had a connection with John Cheyney, an early settler and “sponge hooker” in Tarpon Springs who played an important role in establishing the sponge industry in that community. David Starr’s niece, Mabel, married John Cheyney and the two families spent a considerable amount of social time together during the winter season.
Second Period of Significance: 1976-1977
The House of Seven Gables is significant for its association with the cultural, social, and architectural history of Pinellas County and the national celebration of the American Bicentennial. The Bicentennial movement inspired the creation of numerous historical organizations and societies, along with the establishment of open-air museums like Heritage Village throughout Florida and the nation. In 2026, Heritage Village will commemorate its 50th anniversary, coinciding with America’s 250th celebration.
This important milestone allows the earliest buildings that were moved to Heritage Village to be considered eligible for historical designation. The vision, charity, and technical ability of local architect, Don Williams, contributed substantially to the founding and creation of Heritage Village. Partnering with members of the Clearwater Junior League and Pinellas County Historical Society in an all-out effort to support the cause, he drafted the initial site plan for the historical museum and, with his business partner, Dixie Walker, donated the House of Seven Gables as the second building moved to the park in 1976. Williams served four terms on the Clearwater City Commission and is the father of former Pinellas County Commissioner, Karen Seel.
In summary, the House of Seven Gables has met the significance criteria set forth in Sec. 146-6(e), Pinellas County Code, as follows:
• Historic Resource Integrity Criteria, First Period of Significance, 1907-1917 - Three of the six criteria have been met.
• Historic Resource Integrity Criteria, Second Period of Significance, 1976-1977 - All six criteria have been met.
• General Significance Criteria - Three of the five criteria have been met.
• Historic/Cultural Significance Criteria - Four of the five criteria have been met.
• Architectural/Aesthetic Significance Criteria - Three of the four criteria have been met.
It is the recommendation of staff and the Pinellas County Historic Preservation Board that the request submitted by Pinellas County Parks & Conservation Resources for designation of the House of Seven Gables located at Heritage Village, 11909 125th Street in unincorporated Largo be APPROVED by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners as a Landmark on a Landmark Site as provided for in Section 146-6, Pinellas County Code.
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Background Information:
The Pinellas County Historic Preservation Board (HPB) unanimously recommended approval of the request during its January 21, 2026, public hearing (vote 9-0).
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Staff Member Responsible:
Gregg Mims, Director, Housing & Community Development
Tom Scofield, Principal Planner--Historic Preservation Specialist; Housing & Community Development, Presenter
Paul Cozzie, Director, Parks & Conservation Resources
Monica Drake, Operations Manager, Heritage Village Park & Museum
Partners:
Pinellas County Historical Commission
Pinellas County Historical Society
Attachments:
Resolution
Staff Report & Exhibits
Presentation
Letters of Support (2)
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