Pictured above: Dr. Wetzel and Dr. Sugg with Patty Bishop
The value of charitable contributions given during their lifetimes by both the Bishops and Mary Parker are inestimable and have had profound impact in both Manatee and Sarasota counties and to a lesser extent in Annapolis (Anne Arundel county) Maryland. Their philanthropic gifts have usually been made privately, often anonymously, and where possible, as was the case with John Huntington before them, accomplished on a person to person basis rather than through organizations. Their giving reflected their personal interests in a variety of organizations and non-profits working to build better communities. In fact, it would be hard to name worthy projects in the Manatee area that did not receive generous contributions from the Bishops and Mary, including the Conquistadores, the Pram Fleet, Boys Ranch and so many others.
In addition to financial contributions, the Bishops also worked directly in the community. Mrs. Bishop developed an interest in nursing and for several years worked both day and night shifts as a volunteer operating room nurse in the Bradenton General and Manatee County hospitals. When these hospitals became overcrowded, the Bishops matched community donations and grants, creating a new wing of what was, at that time, Manatee Veteran’s Memorial Hospital (now Manatee Memorial Hospital). This new two-story wing contained operating rooms, an orthopedic operating room, tumor clinic and a recovery room suite. The Bishops also provided surgeries for numerous patients at no cost as well as other medical care for people who were indigent. They were interested in theatre and were among those who founded the Sarasota Players Theatre. Lillian especially took an active interest in Bradenton’s Manatee Players Theatre, participating financially in the operation and construction of the original theatre building situated on 12th Street in downtown Bradenton. She served for many years as chair of the theatre’s Properties Committee.
Another of their interests was the South Florida Museum which originally began operation in a warehouse located on Memorial Pier in downtown Bradenton. The Museum was able to remain solvent largely as a result of anonymous gifts from the Bishops and Miss Parker. Mrs. Bishop played a major role in the 1966 construction of the new Museum and the subsequent construction of the planetarium. Only after the planetarium was completed did Lillian most reluctantly allow the naming of the planetarium after her departed husband. Miss Parker donated funds for Snooty, the resident manatee, to have a larger aquarium in which to live, as well as substantial funding to increase the Museum’s permanent endowment.
The Bishops had an abiding love for and understanding of animals and filled their home and properties with their four-footed friends. Lillian even had squirrels that she carried back and forth with her to their summer home in Maryland! Their genuine interest in animal welfare resulted in the establishment of foundations for the benefit and care of animals. The principal beneficiary of these foundations is the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Manatee County. This foundation was created in 1957 and was deeded two tracts of Manatee County land, both of approximately 40 acres. The SPCA established an animal shelter on the tract which is across from what is now Blake Memorial Hospital at the northeast corner of the intersection of 59th Street and 21st Street West in Bradenton. The hospital was not there when the land was donated. After the death of both Mr. and Mrs. Bishop, the SPCA directors determined it was in the best interest of all that the animal shelter be known as the Bishop Animal Shelter. These trusts established by the Bishops are for the sole benefit of the Manatee County SPCA.