Leonard Reid House, Sarasota

The Leonard Reid House was built in 1926 and has a significant historical value. The property is associated with Leonard Reid, a prominent early African-American pioneer of Sarasota, who played a key role in establishing and settling the city's initial African-American community, Overtown, its religious organizations, and various fraternal groups.

Moreover, the Reid House's historical importance extends to Reid's daughters, Ethel Reid Hayes and Viola Reid, both of whom received their education in Sarasota and later pursued higher education. They dedicated their lives to educating and supervising children in Sarasota schools and pioneering the Helen Payne Nursery, a preschool program for African-American children.

Ethel and Viola were active members of their community and resided in the Reid House continuously from its construction in 1926 until Ethel's passing in 1991 and Viola's forced sale of the property in 1995 due to declining health. The Reid family was widely respected and recognized in the community of Sarasota.

The structure's architectural style also adds to its historical significance, as the Reid House remains minimally altered and serves as a remarkable example of the straightforward Frame Vernacular-style homes that once existed in large numbers in the historic Overtown neighborhood. Nowadays, it serves as the headquarters for the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition.