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History

Sandoway was built for retired produce broker J.B. Evans from Deerfield Beach in 1936.  It is believed that Mr. Evans commissioned local architect Samuel Ogren to design the house as a retirement home.  Mr. Evans was appointed as Lieutenant-Colonel and Personal Aide to Florida Governor Fred P. Cone in 1937.  The position was honorary and consisted of accompanying the Governor on state and ceremonial occasions.  Sandoway is listed in the master site file Inventory of Historic Structures by the Florida Department of State and is also listed in the City of Delray Beach’s Local Register of Historic Places as well as National Register of Historic Places.

All of the restoration work done by the Friends of Sandoway House in 1997-98 met the standards prescribed for the rehabilitation of an historic structure as called for by the United States Secretary of the Interior.

Sandoway provides cultural significance as it exemplifies the historical, political, economic, and social trends reflected in Delray Beach during the Great Depression.  Designed in a unique style adapted to both the local climate and socio-economic conditions of the nation, the house provides significant clues about the values, lifestyle and social consciousness of the upper-class citizens moving to Delray Beach during the 1930s.

In 1995, The Friends of Sandoway House Nature Center, Inc. was formed with the express purpose of restoring the beachfront property for use as a nature museum highlighting marine and coastal life and natural local vegetation. The County of Palm Beach owns the property and leases it to the City of Delray Beach, who, in turn, sublets it to the Friends of Sandoway House. The building and property were opened to the public in May 1998. They started conducting programs for school children during the summer, as well as guiding many families of children and adults through the exhibits and other nature programs offered by the museum.

** Reference **
Sandoway Designation Report,
City of Delray Beach Historic
Preservation Board, 1996

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    Rental Procedure:

    • A group representative must complete and submit a Facility Rental Reservation Form at least 15 days prior to the event. Rentals will be approved on a first come-first served basis, depending on availability.
    • Facility staff will review the request, and if the requested space is available, a site meeting will be held between the facility manager and the group representative no later than 5 days after the booking.
    • At the time of the site meeting, a $100 non-refundable deposit is due. Payment can be made by check, credit card or cash. The Facility Rental Policies and Procedures will be reviewed and the Facility User Agreement/Permit will be signed by both parties and issued to the group representative.
    • The day of the event after the clean-up is completed, a walk-through with a facility staff member and the representative will be conducted to ensure the facility is left in the condition it was found. The permitee will be required to pay additional fees for any damage or additional cleaning, or if the rental room is not vacated by the end of the permitted rental time.
    Cost / payment

    A $50 non-refundable deposit is due the day of the site meeting. Payment must be in the form of cash, check or credit card. Checks must be payable to: Sandoway Discovery Center. The cost of the room is $50 per hour. WE have no minimum requirement but our maximum capacity is 30 people.

    Parking

    Parking is located off of Ingraham Ave. on the south-side of the Center. Please make sure to get a parking pass from the attendant inside the Center to leave on the dashboard of your car. Free parking is provided for a limited number of cars. We only have 10 spaces in our parking lot. Carpooling is highly recommended.

    Additional policies
    • It is the group’s responsibility to set-up before and clean-up after the facility rental, during the permitted rental time.
    • Due to limited space, groups will not be allowed to store items for the event at the facility prior to or after the event.
    • Food/Drink is allowed ONLY in the permitted room.
    • Groups may not nail, staple, or alter any walls, doors or any area of the facility. Please report any damaged equipment prior to start of birthday party.
    • The facility only provides the permitted space, (8) 6”x2.5” tables and (30) chairs. All other items, such as food, decorations, and supplies, must be provided by the user. Sorry, the facility does not have a kitchenette or items such as tape, utensils, copy machine, cooler, etc. available for use.
    Cancellation policy

    Cancellation of a facility rental more than 10 days in advance shall be refunded the $50 deposit in full (please allow 3 weeks for reimbursement). Cancellation of a facility rental less than 10 days in advance will not be given a refund, but will be allowed to reschedule within 90 days.

    Directions from the north:

    I-95 to Atlantic Ave.

    East on Atlantic to A1A (S. Ocean Blvd.)

    South (right) on A1A, 2 blocks past Sandoway Park sign.

    Then right onto Ingraham Ave and turn right into lot.

    Direction from the south:

    I-95 to Linton Blvd.

    East on Linton to A1A (S. Ocean Blvd.)

    North (left) on A1A to Ingraham Ave.

    Make a left onto Ingraham Ave. and immediately turn right into our lot.

    Building rules
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
    • No running
    • No yelling or disruptive behavior
    • No gum anywhere in the building
    • No climbing or standing on the exhibits or railings
    • No tapping on animal enclosure or tanks
    • Shirt and shoes required

    Sandoway Discovery Center Birthday Party Rental Policies and Procedures

    Birthday Party Procedure:

    • A group representative must complete and submit a Birthday Party Reservation Form at least 15 days prior to the event. Birthday parties will be approved on a first come-first served basis, depending on availability.
    • Facility staff will review the request, and if the requested space is available, a site meeting will be held between the facility manager and the group representative no later than 5 days after the booking.
    • At the time of the site meeting, a $100 non-refundable deposit is due. Payment can be made by check, credit card or cash. The Birthday Party Rental Policies and Procedures will be reviewed and the Facility User Agreement/Permit will be signed by both parties and issued to the group representative.
    • The day of the event after the clean-up is completed, a walk-through with a facility staff member and the representative will be conducted to ensure the facility is left in the condition it was found. The permitee will be required to pay additional fees for any damage or additional cleaning, or if the rental room is not vacated by the end of the permitted rental time.
    Cost / payment

    A $100 non-refundable deposit is due the day of the site meeting. Payment must be in the form of cash, check or credit card. Checks must be payable to: Sandoway Discovery Center. Individual fee payment is due on the day of the party and is $10 per person. We require a minimum of 10 individuals in a party group and our maximum is 30 people which includes children and adults!

    Parking

    Parking is located off of Ingraham Ave. on the south-side of the Center. Please make sure to get a parking pass from the attendant inside the Center to leave on the dashboard of your car. Free parking is provided for a limited number of cars. We only have 10 spaces in our parking lot. Carpooling is highly recommended.

    Direction from the south:

    I-95 to Linton Blvd.

    East on Linton to A1A (S. Ocean Blvd.)

    North (left) on A1A to Ingraham Ave.

    Make a left onto Ingraham Ave. and immediately turn right into our lot.

    Directions from the north:

    I-95 to Atlantic Ave.

    East on Atlantic to A1A (S. Ocean Blvd.)

    South (right) on A1A, 2 blocks past Sandoway Park sign.

    Then right onto Ingraham Ave and turn right into lot.

    Cancellation policy

    Cancellation of a party more than 10 days in advance shall be refunded the $100 deposit in full (please allow 3 weeks for reimbursement). Cancellation of a party less than 10 days in advance will not be given a refund, but the group will be allowed to reschedule within 90 days.

    Building rules
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
    • No running
    • No yelling or disruptive behavior
    • No gum anywhere in the building
    • No climbing or standing on the exhibits or railings
    • No tapping on animal enclosure or tanks
    • Shirt and shoes required
    Additional policies

    It is the group’s responsibility to set-up before and clean-up after the party, during the permitted rental time.

    • Due to limited space, groups will not be allowed to store items for the event at the facility prior to or after the event.
    • Food/Drink is allowed ONLY in the permitted room.
    • Groups may not nail, staple, or alter any walls, doors or any area of the facility. Please report any damaged equipment prior to start of birthday party.
    • The facility only provides the permitted space, (8) 6”x2.5” tables and (30) chairs. All other items, such as food, decorations, and party supplies, must be provided by the user. Sorry, the facility does not have a kitchenette or items such as tape, utensils, copy machine, cooler, etc. available for use.

    Membership Has Its Perks!

    Enjoy an Annual Membership to Sandoway Discovery Center!
    Members receive free admission, in addition to members only discounts.

    FREE ADMISSION

    Enjoy for one full year
    FREE admission to the nature center for one year plus discounts on special events and birthday party bookings.

    15% GIFT SHOP SAVINGS

    Find special gifts
    Your new membership package includes a variety of Sandoway swag in addition to a 15% discount in our gift shop all year long.

    SPECIAL INVITATIONS

    Be a VIP with Sandoway
    You'll receive invitations to
    special programs and member-only events throughout the year.

    DECK84 DISCOUNTS

    Delicious waterside dining
    Save 20% off your check at Deck84 located on the intracoastal in Delray.

    SURF SHACK - 15% OFF

    Delicious food and smoothies
    Take 15% off your entire check at Surf Shack Subs, Smoothies and Bowls throughout the year.

    DELIVERY DUDES

    Get instant food to your door
    Take $5 off on every order through Delray Delivery Dudes with your Membership Card.

    pizza

    $5 OFF ANTHONY'S COAL FIRED PIZZA, DELRAY

    Grab a slice
    $5 off your check at the Delray Beach location.

    10% OFF POPCORN

    Tasty treats for less
    Take 10% off your entire purchase at the Original Popcorn House of Delray Beach.

    $2 OFF SILVERBALL

    Enjoy arcade savings
    Receive $2 off your entry to the Silverball Pinball Museum in downtown Delray Beach.

    DELRAY BEACH TOURS

    Experience the history
    Save $2.00 off every ticket purchased for the Delray Beach Historical Tour.