Historic Preservation Month highlights 80th anniversary of Flagler Center
During WWII millions of American men and women from all over the country answered the call of duty, selflessly putting their lives on the line to keep America safe and free. To distract their minds from the news overseas, lift their morale, and nourish support on the home front, the United Service Organizations or USOs popped up across the country, including one at the Flagler Center in Historic Downtown Stuart.
On Friday, May 19, 2023, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Stuart Main Street will be celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Flagler Center and the patriotic tradition of the USO with a Stars & Stripes-themed dance and silent auction. Complete with a 16-piece big band, swing dancing, 40’s themed libations and hospitality, WWII displays of memorabilia, militaria, vehicles, and re-enactors portraying service men and women of the period, the evening promises to be a festive soiree celebrating not only the rich history of the Flagler Center but also the County’s important role on our nation's history and all those who served during WWII.
“The grace and origin of this beautiful building have been an inspiration to me and the Stuart Main Street Board of Directors, and we wanted to share that with the community in a way that was fun and fitting to its history, during Historic Preservation Month,” says Candace Callahan, Executive Director, Stuart Main Street.
“Not just a military function or the traditional fundraiser, we want to celebrate that unforgettable era of our shared history. This dance is to honor that time when our community and country worked together for a common goal, for the greater good,” says Joe Flanagan, President of Stuart Main Street. “We hope to bring back that wonderful sense of camaraderie and support on May 19, this time for Stuart Main Street and to recognize Historic Preservation Month.”
Guests are encouraged to get into the spirit of the theme, by dressing up in 40’s era fashion. Whether they raid their attic for grandmother’s favorite swing dress, or grandfather’s WWII uniform, or shop for the perfect pair of dance shoes in downtown Stuart the event will be awash in the period.
Tickets are $150.00 and include live entertainment by The Dreamers and the 16th Armored Division Reenactment group, generous and delicious hors d’oeuvres, a signature cocktail, a silent auction, and once-in-a-era photo opportunities. Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are available. (Silent auction will be live and online one week prior to the event, and is open to everyone, no ticket is required to bid on any auction item.)
To purchase tickets, sponsor, or participate in our auction, visit www.stuartmainstreet.org/uso or by calling 772-286-2848.
Photos provided by Stuart Main Street and Stuart Heritage from archives.
Stuart Main Street is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to building a vital downtown through community self-reliance and a focus on traditional assets: personal service, local ownership, unique architecture, and sense of community. Stuart Main Street aims to improve our downtown and commercial district through preservation-based economic development and community revitalization. Formed in 1987, the organization follows the Main Street Four-Point Approach® as established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Main Street Center and practiced in over 1,200 communities across the country.
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