Marco Island Historical Society

Marco Island Historical Society Open Tuesday - Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Marco Island Historical Society is a non-profit 501c3 organization founded in 1994. to 4:00 p.m.
(1)

We are dedicated to discovery, research, acquisition and preservation of the multi-faceted history of the Marco Island- Goodland region and to educating and informing the community and visitors of our dynamic heritage. Partnering with Collier County Museums, the Marco Island Historical Museum and complex was created in 2010. Collier County Museum's newest addition explores Southwest Florida's Calu

sa Indians and brings this vanished civilization to life with informative displays and an exciting recreated village. Temporary and traveling exhibits trace the settlement of this subtropical island paradise from its early pioneer roots as a fishing village, pineapple plantation and clam cannery, through its explosive growth and development in the 1960s by the Miami-based Deltona Corporation. Admission to the museum is FREE and open Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. The Museum Gift Shop is fully equipped with local and regional historical books, artwork, jewelry, clothing and more! The Gift Shop's is open Tuesday- Saturday 10-4. The museum complex is also home to The Rose History Auditorium.

We're headed to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary!The gateway to the Western Everglades is located just 30 minutes northeast of ...
08/31/2026

We're headed to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary!

The gateway to the Western Everglades is located just 30 minutes northeast of Naples. The National Audubon Society was granted stewardship of 13,000 acres in 1954, making it one of the largest wetland systems in the world. The Sanctuary also protects the largest remaining cypress forest in the world. Due to its environmental significance, it is one of 41 sites in the U.S. designated as a Ramsar Convention Wetland of International Importance.

Visitors can explore the Sanctuary's 2.25-mile-long boardwalk, the Blair Visitor Center which features immersive exhibits, and participate in a wide selection of events and programs for all ages. Learn more by visiting the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary website: https://www.audubon.org/corkscrew.

📸: postcard of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, 1980. Photo by Harmon. Courtesy of Collier County Museums.

🏖️ Happy National Beach Day! 🐚☀️In 1975, noted outdoor writer Jack Spark captured the simple magic of Marco Island’s sho...
08/30/2026

🏖️ Happy National Beach Day! 🐚☀️

In 1975, noted outdoor writer Jack Spark captured the simple magic of Marco Island’s shoreline beautifully:

“’Tis said there’s a little bit of beachcomber in all of us.” "The rewards of sights and sounds are virtually limitless, and nature's spectrum here is as broad as the eye and the ear of the beholder."

From the sound of gentle waves to bare feet in the sand and the thrill of finding the perfect shell, some Marco Island traditions never change.

As Spark so perfectly concluded: “It’s all yours just for the walking.”

📸: Gene and Mary Sarazen doing exactly that—strolling Marco’s beach and collecting shells. "The Marco Islander," Fall 1975 issue.

in 1972, the new Tommie Barfield Elementary School Opened! 375 students arrived at the new 12-classroom building, repl...
08/28/2026

in 1972, the new Tommie Barfield Elementary School Opened!

375 students arrived at the new 12-classroom building, replacing the old 3-classroom building known as the Tommie Barfield annex. The school opened with 17 teachers led by principal Ken Faulkner and served kindergarten through 6th grade.

First through sixth grade attended classes from 8:15 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. Kindergarteners living on the island attended class from 8:15 to 11:00 A.M., while children living off the island attended Kindergarten from 12:00 to 2:30 P.M.

📸Black-and-white photographs of a Tommie Barfield Elementary school event, November 10, 1972. Photographed by Bryan Donaldson. MIHS 2016-01-2015.

Nets were probably the most important fishing technology used by the Muspa and Calusa. Cordage for netting and lines co...
08/27/2026



Nets were probably the most important fishing technology used by the Muspa and Calusa. Cordage for netting and lines could be made by twisting together the fiber of certain plants, including the cabbage palm. Netting allowed for large amounts of food to be collected at once, and there were several different styles. An individual in a canoe or near shore may have used a dip net, while lengthy seine nets could have been handled by large groups of people working together.⠀

that the best-known examples of Muspa or Calusa cordage were uncovered at the Key Marco site in 1896, on what is now Marco Island? Visit the Marco Island Historical Museum to see some of the net-making tools uncovered by Cushing and his team, which are on loan from the Florida Museum of Natural History.⠀
⠀
📷: Calusa people fishing with nets and a catamaran. Artwork by Merald Clark © 2018.

✈️ NEW IN THE MIHS GIFT STORE! 🧳Take a little piece of Marco Island history with you wherever your travels lead! Our new...
08/26/2026

✈️ NEW IN THE MIHS GIFT STORE! 🧳

Take a little piece of Marco Island history with you wherever your travels lead! Our new MIHS-branded silicone luggage tags have arrived in the Marco Island Historical Museum Gift Store.

They’re a fun and practical way to make your luggage stand out while showing your support for local history. Perfect for travelers, history lovers, Marco Island visitors and locals—and a great little gift for the traveler in your life!

Shop Our Store and Support History
Every purchase made in our Gift Store directly supports the Marco Island Historical Society and Museum and our mission to preserve and share Marco Island’s history.

While you’re here, explore our curated collection of books, photography, jewelry, giftware, children's items, and replicas of ancient Calusa artifacts by local and world-renowned artists and authors.

🛍️ Gift Store Hours
Tuesday–Saturday | 10:00 AM–3:30 PM
Closed on National Holidays

✨ Member Benefit: Members of the Marco Island Historical Society and the North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM) receive 10% off store purchases (some exclusions apply).

Travel with history. Carry our story.💙

🎶 MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS! 🎟️✨Want first access to tickets for the Marco Island Historical Society’s 2027 World Clas...
08/24/2026

🎶 MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS! 🎟️✨

Want first access to tickets for the Marco Island Historical Society’s 2027 World Class Entertainment Concert Series? Become an MIHS member and get early access to concert tickets before they go on sale to the general public!

And that’s just one of the benefits.

MIHS membership also connects you more deeply with the history and culture of Marco Island through free entry to special programs and lectures, reciprocal access to 1,000+ museums, gardens, and cultural centers, and more — all while helping us preserve and share Marco Island’s remarkable history for generations to come.

Memberships start at just $75.

🎵 Support local history.
🎟️ Get early access.
❤️ Be part of something extraordinary.

Become a member today! Visit: https://apps.themihs.info/new-members

🎶 SAVE THE DATE — A Hard Day’s Night for History! 🎶Get ready for a fab and far-out evening as the Marco Island Historica...
08/21/2026

🎶 SAVE THE DATE — A Hard Day’s Night for History! 🎶

Get ready for a fab and far-out evening as the Marco Island Historical Society takes you back to the music and style of the Swinging Sixties! 🇬🇧✨

Join us on Saturday, February 27, 2027, at Island Country Club for the MIHS Gala: A Hard Day’s Night for History — an unforgettable evening celebrating the music that changed the world.

🎸 Fab & Far Out! Featuring Beatles tribute band The Nowhere Band
🕺 Threads! Think resort casual with a touch of London’s Mod culture — sharp, hip, and effortlessly cool!
✨ A fabulous evening benefiting the Marco Island Historical Society

We are delighted to recognize Bill & Rosemary Albanese as our Presenting Sponsors and thank them for their generous support.

📅 February 27, 2027 | 5:00 PM
📍 Island Country Club

For now, save the date, start planning those fab threads, and stay tuned — more details are coming soon!

Gene Sarazen once said, "I consider the Marco Island golf course one of the most challenging I have ever played." The ...
08/20/2026



Gene Sarazen once said, "I consider the Marco Island golf course one of the most challenging I have ever played." The golf legend became a Marco Island resident in 1965, making the Emerald Beach Condominiums his home.

Two years later, Sarazen was appointed permanent Chairman of the Marco Island Country Club's Golf Committee. While living on the island, he participated in numerous charity golf events at his own cost to support those in need.

In a gesture of appreciation for Gene Sarazen's remarkable impact on the community and its people, Collier County commissioners declared his birthday, February 27th, as Gene Sarazen Day in 1986.

📸 Gene Sarazen golfing at the Marco Island Country Club. Gift of Mrs. William Tamplin, in memory of her husband. MIHS 2007.03.025.

In 1972, the Ville de Marco West opened its model apartments to the public. Located near Marco Pass, the building includ...
08/19/2026

In 1972, the Ville de Marco West opened its model apartments to the public. Located near Marco Pass, the building included 72 apartments, a large swimming pool, and docks for boating. Prices ranged from $38,000 to $43,000 for 2-bedroom, 2-bath plans and $60,750 to $66, 750 for 3-bedroom, 3-bath plans.

📸: Ville de Marco West, June 1994. MIHS 2017-1-413.

We’re excited to once again join our community partners in hosting Lunch with Friends tomorrow at Marco Lutheran Church!...
08/18/2026

We’re excited to once again join our community partners in hosting Lunch with Friends tomorrow at Marco Lutheran Church! 💙

This monthly complimentary meal and fellowship program provides local seniors with more than a delicious lunch—it’s an opportunity to gather, connect, enjoy conversation, and strengthen the friendships that make Marco Island such a special community.

A heartfelt thank you to this year’s sponsors, Rene and Tish Champagne, whose generous support helps make this meaningful program possible. We are grateful for their commitment to our community and to the neighbors we are privileged to serve.

At the Marco Island Historical Society, our mission is rooted in history, culture, and community. We’re proud to put that last word into action through programs like Lunch with Friends, and we look forward to serving, connecting with, and supporting our community throughout the year.

📷: 2025 Lunch with Friends - MIHS Special Projects Ron Rutledge, MIHS Chief Executive Officer Patricia Rutledge, MIHS Operations Manager April Bowden, MIHS Curator of Collections Heather Otis, and MIHS Board President Tish Champagne

Address

180 S Heathwood Drive
Marco Island, FL
34145

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

(239) 389-6447

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Marco Island Historical Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Marco Island Historical Society:

Shortcuts

Share