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Florida’s rich history and cultural diversity is captured with the Museum of Florida History Traveling Exhibit, Florida Before Statehood. From First Floridians and early colonies to European explorations and journeys seeking freedom, Florida’s story is distinctive. This exhibit explores the development of Florida into the great state we know today, marking over 500 years of Florida’s history since the landing of Juan Ponce de Leon and the naming of our state La Florida.
All Collier County Museum locations offer free admission.
We’re celebrating Collier County’s 100th Anniversary by exploring 1923, the county’s founding year. Learn about the people, events, places, and politics that made 1923 special in Collier County, the state, the nation, and the world! Florida and the communities in the new Collier County saw tremendous growth in the 1920s, with Florida’s population growing over 30% between 1920 and 1925. Prohibition was the law in the United States, while overseas, the opening of King Tut’s tomb attracted world-wide attention. Here in Southwest Florida, workers took on the difficult task of building the Tamiami Trail through the Everglades. Explore these stories and more in our centennial exhibit.
All Collier County Museum locations offer free admission.
Every year Museum of the Everglades collaborates with our local school – the last K-12 public school on a single campus in the state of Florida – to create an exhibit that celebrates an aspect of this unique community. Students submit artwork, photos, videos, stories, interviews and more to help us share a part of the character and history of the area with visitors from around the world. This year we have challenged the students to tell us about a Hometown Hero: a teacher, a first responder, a family member, local businessperson, etc. who goes above and beyond to keep Everglades safe and moving toward a better future. The subject can be drawn from local history or present day – the field is wide open and we expect an amazing collection of heroic personalities to be presented.
All Collier County Museum locations offer free admission.
The Queen of Marco, Tommie Barfield, earned her name with her tenacious pursuit of forwarding Marco Island’s interests. Her intelligent but fiery persistence at Lee County Commission meetings led to a partnership with business tycoon Barron G. Collier. Barron put her lobbying skills to effective use in Tallahassee, where she was credited with persuading Florida legislators to create Collier County.
All Collier County Museum locations offer free admission.