On August 11, in recognition of Marie Selby’s 130th birthday and in celebration of Selby Gardens’ 40th Anniversary, the Selby House Café has received a makeover and a new permanent exhibit dedicated to Marie.
William and Marie moved permanently to Sarasota in 1921 and built a modest home on 7 acres of land between Sarasota Bay and Hudson Bayou. Today the first floor of their home houses the Selby House Café. The cafe now features furniture and decor with a vintage flair, a nod to the Selbys’ era. Visitors to the Gardens often express great curiosity about Marie Selby and the perimeter of the main dining space features historical photographs of William and Marie and some of their favorite places and activities.
Selby Gardens was founded with a unique focus on epiphytes and a dedication to botanical research. To honor that history, the café tables have been covered with vintage botanical prints dating back to the 1700s and sourced from Selby Gardens’ own library. The exhibit is complete with a display featuring Marie Selby’s “Living Legacy,” images of iconic tropical plants from our living collections.
Please stop by the Café and enjoy this amazing transformation.
