The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village has announced a major step toward recovery following Hurricane Ian in 2022: the roof replacement project for the Rutland House has officially begun. The project was initially scheduled to commence on October 14.
As the property owner and a key village partner, the City of Sanibel is providing the funding for this essential repair. The city has selected Quick Roofing to execute the work, which will be comprehensive. The scope includes the removal and replacement of the existing metal roofing system, alongside a necessary structure retrofit and the installation of new sheathing to ensure compliance with the current building and wind codes.
The Village shared that this roof replacement represents a critical milestone. “This is the first essential repair to be completed post-Hurricane Ian before reopening the house to the public,” a representative stated.
A Look at the Rutland House
The Rutland House is a significant piece of local history. It was originally built in 1913 and stood on Periwinkle Way, just west of the current Periwinkle Park.
The structure is made of slash pine and exemplifies Cracker architecture. This distinctive style is characterized by a wood-frame structure with a low-slung roof and a prominent, wide front porch. The term “Cracker” is used to refer to the early pioneers and their descendants in Florida.
Clarence Rutland purchased the home in 1928 and resided there until his death in 1982. He was the son of Irene Rutland, who later married Henry Shanahan, the Sanibel lighthouse keeper in the early 1900s. Although Clarence and his wife, Ruth (Wiles), had no children, he was affectionately known throughout the community as “Uncle Clarence” and was celebrated as a “jack of all trades.”
Following Clarence Rutland’s passing, the building was moved to the Village in 1982. It served a vital role for many years, housing the entirety of the museum when it first opened to the public in 1984.
For those interested in learning more about the museum and its ongoing work, please visit the official website at https://sanibelmuseum.org/.
