Groups to share AM pier marker cost

The names of both the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and the Anna Maria Island Preservation Trust will appear at the bottom of a Florida Division of Historical Resources historical marker being presented to the city May 13 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Anna Maria City Pier.

The organizations, once split on which group would sponsor the marker, agreed to divide its cost and share recognition.

When the Anna Maria City Pier Centennial Committee first met in 2009, the historical society said it would cover the cost of the marker. The society also provided the committee with $2,000 in “seed” money to order memorabilia to sell before and during the centennial events.

But trust president Sissy Quinn, who chairs the centennial committee, last month at the committee meeting announced the trust would pay for the marker.

Representatives of both organizations agreed it’s a good decision to split the cost, listed for $2,100 on the FDHR website.

AMIHS director Betty Yanger said she was “pleased that both organizations would be listed on the marker,” bringing “peace” to the community about the history of the pier.

Quinn agreed that the idea to divide the marker price tag evenly would “foster the spirit of cooperation and goodwill” in the city.

Both groups contributed significantly to the organization of the two-day centennial celebration May 13-14, and members of both will participate in the festivities.

Engravers are working on the historical narrative that will accompany the marker and tell the history of the pier, Quinn said.

“Once we’ve agreed on the wording, it will be released to the public,” she said.

Representatives of the Florida Historical Markers program of the state division of historical resources will present the marker to Anna Maria Mayor Mike Selby and members of the centennial committee, the AMIHS and the AMIPT at a ceremony at the pier May 13.

The presentation will mark the start of the Anna Maria City Pier Centennial Celebration May 13-14.

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