Our Staff

Mark Shuttleworth – Owner/Proprietor

Mark Shuttleworth’s journey into historic preservation began with a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, age, and what he calls the “spirit” of handmade objects.

  • Academic Background: Shuttleworth attended Stetson University in DeLand, earning his Bachelor’s degree in 1971 and a Master’s degree in 1979.
  • Early Career Transition: Before becoming a full-time salvage expert, he worked as an administrator for a job training program and served as an adjunct professor at what is now Daytona State College.
  • Civic and Personal Life: Beyond his business, Shuttleworth is a prominent community figure. He served multiple terms as the mayor of Lake Helen, Florida, where he lives with his wife, Anna Tomczak—a highly respected photographic artist. Their personal home, an 1896 farmhouse, reflects their shared passion for rescue and preservation. It is styled in a colorful “Caribbean-Victorian” aesthetic and furnished entirely with salvaged history, from 1920s mansion couches to kitchen island slate pulled from an old school chemistry desk.
  • Preservation Leadership: He was named Preservationist of the Year in 2021 by the West Volusia Historical Society. He earned this for his extensive volunteer work, including managing the restoration of the historic James W. Wright Building and donating countless hours to restoring the DeLand House.

Civic Legacy and Recognition

Shuttleworth’s business success directly funded his civic efforts to save local history.

  • The James W. Wright Building Restoration: Built in 1920, this brick building was the historical anchor of DeLand’s African American business and cultural district. Shuttleworth stepped in as the volunteer restoration project manager. Working alongside the Greater Union Life Center, he successfully saved the structural shell and led the building’s rebirth.
  • The DeLand House Museum: Shuttleworth donated extensive time, technical expertise, and matching period-accurate salvage materials to ensure the West Volusia Historical Society could properly preserve the iconic DeLand House.
  • Preservationist of the Year: His lifetime of service culminated in 2021 when the West Volusia Historical Society officially named him Preservationist of the Year.