Spectral Musings, History, Ghost and Art Tour of the Don Vista building/Suntan Art Center
When: Oct. 21, 2017; doors open at 6:30, tours at 7 and 8 PM. Event ends at 9 PM.
Cost: Suntan Art Center members are free; love offerings and donations suggested for the public and guests
Where: Suntan Arts Center (Don Vista building), 3300 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach, FL 33706
CONTACT: SPIRITS of St. Petersburg, Brandy Stark, PhD Email: tbspirits@netscape.net, (727) 821-5759; Suntan Art Center, Pat Chase (727) 367-3818, Email: suntanartcenter@verizon.net
When asked about haunted places on St. Pete Beach, most people think of the Don Cesar hotel. We have something even older, and possibly also haunted by Thomas Rowe: The Don Vista building! The Don Vista, which currently houses the Suntan Art Center, was built in 1924. Thomas Rowe lived there while he oversaw the construction of the Don Cesar. It was sold with the hotel to the United States military and housed offices for its personnel. Part of the center also held the first fire engine at St. Pete Beach, a bank, and even a library! With all of these different transformations, the Don Vista building came in contact with many people – some of whom haven’t left!
St. Petersburg Paranormal Investigation and the Suntan Art Center invite the public to attend Spectral Musings, A History, Ghost and Art Tour. The event will offer an opportunity to learn more about the historic Don Vista building. Come and learn the stories of the three mysterious presences who occupy the space and share it with local Florida artists. Participants are invited to see if they can catch a glimpse of the Running Man, the Hostess, or the Old Man, each with their own spot in the Don Vista. Could one of the presences be Thomas Rowe checking on his former home? Is he responsible for the reports of mysterious footsteps heard from time to time?
Tour times are at 7 and 8 PM. This is a tour that is designed to highlight history, theories on paranormal investigation, and show off some of the splendor of our local artists. It is family friendly. Tours should take approximately 30 – 40 minutes and will be housed entirely inside the building. In between, we invite attendees to view our special “Autumn Harvest” art show depicting autumn themed works. Seasoned paranormalist and professor, Dr. Brandy Stark, will be present and will do brief discussions on ghost investigations, talk about her 20 year investigation experience, and answer questions.
The event is free, though love offerings and donations for the Suntan Art Center, a not-for-profit organization, are encouraged. Participants may also purchase a booklet about the haunting. For more information, please check with the SPIRITS of St. Petersburg website (www.spiritsofstpetersburg.com) and the accompanying Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stpetersburgparanormalinvestigation/.