Social Seens... Photography by Gram
A Night at the Kellogg Mansion
“The Last Hurrah,” a well-orchestrated, special evening benefit for the Dunedin History Museum, was held at the iconic Kellogg Mansion
on Buena Vista Drive, which overlooks St. Joseph Sound in Dunedin. Guests, many in 1920s era-inspired attire, meandered throughout
the property, admiring the exotic architecture, hand-painted murals, mosaic tile work, stained glass windows, view at sunset and more.
The quasi-Mediterranean Revival mansion, built in 1925, was purchased by the cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg in 1934. Although
the Kellogg family owned the property for 10 years, they only came there for three years. The remainder of the time they rented
it to the U.S. Marine Corps for four years as a rest and recuperation retreat, and then to a family from Clearwater for 2 ½ years.
The mansion’s new owners, Dr. David and Chrissy Wenk of Palm Harbor, who generously allowed the Dunedin History Museum to not
only hold the fundraiser there, but also to disassemble and auction off a variety of furnishings from light fixtures to doors, will be building
a new home on the site, where they and their four children will enjoy the spectacular view and sunsets, just as the Kelloggs once did.
Vinnie Luisi, executive director of the
Dunedin History Museum, and Blair Kooi,
president of its board of trustees, worked
diligently for months to make the mansion
safe, clean, plus party and auction-ready.
Dr. Cynthia Huffman and her husband Dr.
Michael Evans, who both recently limited
their practices, have enjoyed making new
friends while attending more social, charity
and other activities in the community.
Sharon Painter, a Dunedin History Museum
board member and committee chair of
“The Last Hurrah,” and Leslie Viens, the
fundraiser’s co-chair, were excited that the
party was such a tremendous success.
Charlie Littlejohn and his wife Susan
Littlejohn, a real estate agent and a
multi-term past board president of the
museum, continually support the museum’s
endeavors and events.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 149
Dr. David Wenk and his wife Crissy Wenk, the
new owners of the Kellogg property, graciously
benefited the Dunedin History Museum
by hosting the party there and allowing the
museum to auction off some of its treasures.
Tom Bujalski and his wife, the Honorable
Julie Ward Bujalski, mayor of Dunedin,
enjoyed seeing so many of the city’s and
the museum’s leaders and supporters who
attended this fun, fascinating last look at a
piece of local history.