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Visit The Southwest Florida Museum of History

• January 11, 2016

In 1982, the re-converted old Atlantic Coast Line passenger depot opened its doors to the public as the Southwest Florida Museum of History. Visitors could wander through old corridors and waiting rooms as they explored a variety of exhibits that showcased the story of Fort Myers from early days of the Calusa Indians to the airfields of World War II.
 
The museum houses a wide selection of permanent exhibitions. Some of these exhibitions include those about Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon, who became the first European to see the Florida peninsula in the spring of 1513;  a model and diorama of the Fort built in 1850; the 3 Cs of Florida agriculture — Cattle, Citrus and Cane; and an authentic replica of a pioneer "cracker" house, a 1926 La France fire pumper, and a 1929 private Pullman rail car. 

The museum boasts extensive artifacts collections that detail early civilizations, the first settlers, the cattlemen, the turn of the century cattle-town of Fort Myers, the military training airfields, and Fort Myers’ boating and fishing industries. A 90 minute guided tour of historic downtown Fort Myers is also available, where visitors can learn the area history through buildings and local legends. 

There are also traveling exhibits held at the museum throughout the year. Civil Rights in the Sunshine State, which runs from January 16 until June 11, explores Florida’s role in the civil rights movement at the local, state, and national level by using artifacts, archival images, film footage and oral histories. 

The Southwest Florida Museum of History is located in historic downtown Fort Myers and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM to 5PM. Be sure to book your stay with us here at BEST WESTERN PLUS Beach Resort Hotel for beautiful accommodations, a convenient location, and unbeatable rates during your visit to Fort Myers.

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