On Friday, January 12, 2024, Melissa Wyllie, CEO & President of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, and Mike Cosden, Board President of the Florida Trust, presented their lecture “Advocating for Florida’s Historic Places” at the Art Deco Museum. They discussed the organization’s advocacy priorities and strategies for the 2024 legislative session, which kicked off just days before Art Deco Weekend began (January 9).
The Florida Trust is Florida’s statewide nonprofit committed to protecting our state’s history and heritage. This educational presentation discusses how communities and organizations can help have their voices heard at both the state and federal levels, as well as outreach strategies for collaborating with other organizations to have your voices heard by lawmakers. The speakers introduce the Florida Historic Tax Credit legislation working to be passed during the legislative session this year, and how it can help protect Florida’s historic places.
About the Speakers:
Melissa Wyllie is CEO and President of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. Melissa works to advance the vision, mission and programs of the Florida Trust by collaborating with its Board of Trustees and leading staff, volunteers, members and partners. Under her leadership, the Florida Trust seeks to connect with a broader community to protect places of architectural, historical and archeological importance throughout the state.
Mike Cosden serves as the Board President for the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, the statewide nonprofit dedicated to preserving Florida’s extraordinary history and heritage. As Vice President of the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, Florida, Mike has led staff in the preservation of over a dozen historic structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mike has also worked to revitalize the Edison Ford Museum, introducing new exhibits and embracing technology and interactive elements to engage with new audiences.
As co-author of the book Edison & Ford in Florida, he has conducted original research and lectured on wide-ranging related subjects. Prior to his work at Edison Ford, Mike earned a Master’s in Library & Information Science from the University of South Florida and worked in the field of education.
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Art Deco Weekend is produced and owned by the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL) with major funding and support from the City of Miami Beach and the Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council and the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs.
