The house on Stewart Avenue in Coconut Grove where our founder Marjory Stoneman Douglas lived most of her life is now in the hands of the state, which retrieved it from the lease holder The unique little cottage has undergone about $50,000 worth of taxpayer paid repairs and is occupied by one of the rangers from the nearby Barnacle, a state historical site So far so good after winning the battle against moving it, as proposed by the former lease holder.. 

Marjory’s Circle, the Friends’ support group for the house, has now decided that the next step will be to retrieve the contents of the house, which are scattered in several places, so they eventually can be returned to the house. To this end  a puzzling roadblock has appeared. The state believes that it has no right to the contents of the house. We are so informed by Katrina Boler, manager of the Barnacle, who has supervision over the house. The former lease holder, the Land Trust of Dade County, is claiming ownership. Most of the contents were removed by the Land Trust after the roof was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. 

Marjory’s Circle is engaged in discussions with all parties involved in the contents dispute. We will attempt to untangle the legal questions, which have not yet been answered. We consider that the use of the house by a state employee is a temporary measure and that in time the place will be restored to its former condition and the public allowed to visit.