In 1907, Swedish immigrant Carl Johansen purchased a parcel of land from Giles Chapman and set about building a homestead for himself, wife Anna, and his three youngest children.  (Ten other children were already grown and living on their own.) Chapman, from whom Johansen bought the land was a known hermit and so the small house he built was called "The Hermitage."  It's been called the Hermitage ever since.

The house was vacant from about 1916 to 1930 and among its many incarnations in the 30s was its operation as a nudist colony. 

In 1937, Louise Plummer bought the property and added a guest house in 1942.  In 1947, Otto Thurston Alexander bought the Hermitage and the adjoining Whitney property and combined the two parcels.

From 1975 to 1986 writer Ruth Swayze and artist daugher Caroll leased the Hermitage and spearheaded a community effort to save the Hermitage buildings from beach erosion.  Without the efforts of these two ladies, we would not have the beautiful buildings we have today.  Please thank them when you see them.

In 1986, Ryder Home & Groves purchased the property and sold it to Sarasota County Parks and Recreation in 1988.

In 1997, an earnest campaign by a dedicated community of people went to work to find a useful purpose for the buildings and to restore them to their "old Florida" rustic elegance. In 1999, the Sarasota County Arts Council contracted with the County to use the buildings as an artist retreat.

Simultaneously, Syd Adler, community activist, art collector, philanthropist, and beloved citizen seized the leadership role and set about raising friends and funds to make the artist retreat a reality.  Generous grants were secured from the State of Florida and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice as well as many generous gifts from Englewood residents.  Sadly, our beloved Syd passed away in November, 2004, but we continue to be led by his vision.

Other significant donors in the restoration effort included the Caitlin Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation.  The Dignam Family led by Tom and Annette continue a deep involvement as well as their daughter Leslie Edwards who serves as our board president.  

The Restored Hermitage House

Founder Syd Adler