L-R: Nehrling Society President Theresa Schretzmann-Myers, Vernon Swartsel,Esq., Barry Miller, Esq., Barbara Bochiardy and Realtor Suzi Karr at Monday's closing for the acquisition of the Dr. Nehrling's historic Palm Cottage Gardens.

On November 30th, the Henry Nehrling Society realized its goal of acquiring the National Historic Register listed Henry Nehrling Estate/Palm Cottage Gardens in Gotha, Florida. The Society had worked for several years to obtain funding from public sources, only to be stymied by a combination of budget deficits and bureaucratic complications. But the Society was able to raise sufficient funds from individuals and private foundations to put down a substantial payment on the property while maintaining operating funds for the first year; and a private investor has stepped up to the plate to loan the remaining funds needed to close on the property.

L-R: Nehrling Society President Theresa Schretzmann-Myers applies the corporate seal while Vernon Swartsel,Esq., Barry Miller, Esq., Barbara Bochiardy, Realtor Suzi Karr and associate Chris Sapp look on at Monday's closing for the acquisition of Dr. Nehrling's historic Palm Cottage Gardens.

Immediately after the Monday morning closing the Nehrling Society presented an original oil painting to former owner Barbara Bochiardy. The painting, "Palm Cottage, Historic Home of Dr. Henry Nehrling" by Don Thomas, was presented in recognition of the contribution made by Barbara and her late husband Howard Bochiardy, AIA for the preservation of the site during their ownership of the property from 1981-2009.

L-R: Barbara Bochiardy receives a painting of historic Palm Cottage Gardens presented by Angela Withers of the Henry Nehrling Society, Inc. and its President Theresa Schretzmann-Myers to thank Mrs. Bochiardy and her late husband Howard for their historic preservation efforts and the recent acquisition of the property by the Society.

The Henry Nehrling Society is very excited to be part of saving one of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation's 11 Most Endangered Historic Sites, a critical part of our Florida and local history. The Society now is looking forward to kicking off a major capital campaign and conducting a basic cleanup of the house and gardens. An initial condition assessment must be made of the property followed by the development of detailed plans for its rehabilitation. Ultimately the Nehrling Gardens will become an education center focusing on historic preservation, horticultural education and environmental conservation, but there is much work ahead. The Society encourages anyone with an interest in these fields to get in touch through its website, www.nehrlinggardens.org.

The Henry Nehrling Society is very grateful to Jim and Barbara Gissy for making the acquisition possible by providing a private loan to the Society, and to realtors Suzi Karr and Sandy Roman for waiving their fees. Attorney Vernon Swartsel of Carlton Fields donated his legal representation, Allen & Company Professional Surveyors and Mappers donated the recertification of the boundary survey.

The Society received a $50,000 acquisition grant from the Winifred Johnson Clive Fund II of the Community Foundation of Central Florida, $25,000 donations from the family of John W. and Anita E. Ritchie and the Ella B. Sadler Estate, and $5,000 - $10,000 contributions from the Chesley G. Magruder Foundation, Jim Karr & Family, the Gotha Community Foundation, Jerry and Mary Howard, Jim and Margaret Thomas, Kathleen Klare, and Stephen and Angela Withers. Over 500 individuals and organizations have given financial support over the years, including generous donations from the Bloom 'N Grow Garden Club of Winter Garden, the Windermere Garden Club, and the Rotary Club of Windermere. Many others have volunteered hours of their time and countless in-kind contributions. To all of these the Society expresses its deepest gratitude.