The Sarasota Classic Car Museum has been located on Tamiami Trail in Sarastoa, Florida since 1953. The 55,000 square foot building is the second oldest continuously operating antique car museum in the Nation.
But now, museum director Martin Godbey and museum Curator Blake Godbey were given a written notice on May 16, 2023, which terminates the museum’s lease.
The property is owned by New College of Florida wh has leased the property to the museum for the last 20 years. Sarasota Classic Car Museum actually predates the college. The New College leadership is looking to replace the museum with a new athletic facility.
As of June 1, 2023 the New Collegeoard of trustees approved the plan to demolish the Palmer, Reichert and Knight buildings. This includes turning the car museum into a temporary space to accommodate student housing and other services displaced by the demolition.
Martin Godbey is still trying to get an extension from New College to give more time in an attempt to figure out what can be done with all of the museum’s artifacts. As of 1/9/23, Godbey has not been responded to and has until the end of June to vacate.
*UPDATE*
The Sarasota Classic Car Museum was able to negotiate more time with the New College and will remain open until October 2023 while they figure out a more reasonable exit plan.
Image via Sean Mathis
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