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Lee
County Page 3 of 6 |
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Bailey-Matthews
Shell Museum |
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Sanibel; This museum has collections of shells from
all over the world, but also has a good display about Calusa lifeways,
identifying the tribe as the “Shell People”. shellmuseum.org |
Alva
Museum |
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Alva,
on Pearl Street east of Broadway and north of SR 80, open Saturdays
at noon; site of the first public library in southwest Florida and
now operated by the Alva Garden Club volunteers. |
Edison
and Ford Winter Estates |
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Fort Myers; at 2350 McGregor Blvd.; this house and
garden museum is a popular area attraction, showcasing much of the
history and artifacts of the Edisons at their winter estate; many
events and programs take place here year-round; this website is being
updated and may not have current information. The public is always
welcome to visit this beautiful site, which annually proves to be
the most visited historic site in all of Lee County. The site is privately
managed, and many plans are underway to increase our knowledge of
the original historic landscapes here. Also, site managers are considering
conducting some testing here to determine the location of the original
historic gardens. FPAN may be coordinating with the site to ensure
a high degree of public involvement. Stay tuned! efwefla.org/ |
Calusa
Nature Center and Planetarium |
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Fort
Myers; at 3450 Ortiz Avenue; exhibits here are mostly about
nature, and trails and many local animals and plants are on display;
some interpretive signs about the history of the museum, and about
local native history, also are present. calusanature.com/ |
Manatee
Park |
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Fort
Myers- Home to the annual Discovery Day Festival, with numerous
demonstrators and speakers about native crafts, as well as about archaeology
and ethnobotany; also home to a large population of manatees during
the “winter” months, thanks to the nearby plant, as well
as a recently completed ethnobotany trail and chickee hut; now there
are ethnobotany tours each Saturday at 10 am
South of SR 80, off Exit 141 from I75. leeparks.org/ |
Estero
Bay Buddies |
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(This
group cares for the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve. They schedule activities
and programs, and work to raise money to support efforts in the preserve.
The EBB is concerned with both natural and cultural resources in Estero
Bay) (www.esterobaybuddies.org) |
Southwest
Florida Historic Society |
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Contact
information. 5111 Macgregor Blvd. PO 1362
Fort Myers 33902 |
Bonita
Trail |
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A planned
walking, biking or driving trail along the Imperial River, while this
proposed trail is still in the planning stages, and not directly related
to archaeology, this is a project of note since it may help to preserve
lands within Bonita Springs, a area of fairly dense development. The
Bonita Springs City commissioners are considering proposed ideas at
this time. |
Southwest
Florida Museum of History |
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This
museum celebrates 25 years of relating local history to residents
and tourists. The museum is housed in a former train depot (restored
from its 1924 condition, when it was part of the Atlantic Coastline
Railroad), and exhibits describe everything from the first occupants
of the area (Native Americans) all the way up through pioneers, soldiers
and Seminoles involved in the Seminole Wars, boating and fishing industries,
and even a bit of World War II history (parts of the area were sued
for training exercises). The only replica of the original Fort Myers
fort is also on display here. Also, a replica of a Florida “cracker”
house is located outside on the museum grounds (since Florida ranchers
used whips to heard their cattle, making a cracking sound, they were
known as “crackers”) 2300 Peck Street (239) 332-5955
www.cityftmyers.com/museum |
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Go to Page 4 |
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Thanks
to M. C. Bob Leonard, Professor of History, Hillsborough Community
College for information from unofficial websites. |
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