In 1936 the Piper family established a roadside attraction called Reptile Gardens to attract people traveling on the newly opened Tamiami Trail. As the animals and botanical exhibits grew, they changed the name of it to The Wonder Games to appeal to visitors. In 2017 it was named a historical preservation by the Bonita Springs […]
The impact hurricanes like Irma and Ian have had are immeasurable, with the livelihood and infrastructure damage taking center stage in the aftermath. There is another kind of loss that occurs after a hurricane though, and that is the loss of beloved family treasures. Visit the Collier County Museums at the locations, dates and times […]
As we cruise into the heart of Florida’s “storm season”, Museum Manager Thomas Lockyear will explore the history of hurricanes that have impacted our area and how they have shaped the communities and culture of the region. Mr. Lockyear will also include a detailed account of his experiences with the restoration of the museum in […]
Frank Watt Hall was the schoolteacher at the Little Marco community on Haldeman Creek in 1898. He kept a diary of his time there that in 2013 was transcribed and annotated by Cindy and Ray Carroll. Cindy and Ray are the great grandchildren of James Madison Carroll, one of the first settlers at Henderson Creek. […]
September 19th is known around the world as International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and Museum of the Everglades will be celebrating this unlikely holiday with a fun-filled and fact-packed history talk. Museum Manager Thomas Lockyear, who started his career at Pat Croce’s Pirate Soul Museum in Key West, will share stories of cutthroats and […]
Did you know there are more than a dozen cemeteries in Collier County? From the beautiful and expansive Palm Royale to small family plots hidden away in rural corners of the county, we have been remembering our loved ones who've passed through traditional burial practices since 1869. Join Museum Director Amanda Townsend for a photographic […]
To coincide with the current Python Hunters exhibit, Museum Manager Thomas Lockyear will explore the history of human interactions with snakes in the Everglades region. From the clearing of rattlesnakes by pioneer settlers and the milking of venomous reptiles at roadside attractions to the present-day invasive python problem, snakes have been an integral element of […]
Over fifty million people are living with dementia globally. In the United States, one in three seniors suffers with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia at the time of their death. In conjunction with our temporary exhibit, "Portraits of Dementia," our partners at the Alzheimer's Support Network will provide insight into how we diagnose, treat, and care […]
While the massive cache of Calusa artifacts found on Marco Island in the 1890s is well-documented, evidence of these early inhabitants of the 10,000 Islands can also be found just about everywhere around Everglades City. Did you know that the entire island of nearby Chokoloskee is a Calusa shell mound? Ancient artifacts were commonplace for […]
Before the turn of the mid-century, Christmas was a celebration steeped in ancient feeling traditions. Subtle decorations of ribbon and citrus abounded, a child’s Christmas toy would have been simply made, and the feasts enjoyed were definitely lacking in vibrant food coloring. After the heartache of World War II, Americans in the mid-century began to […]
