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 T ake a break from all the sun, sea and sand that Naples has to offer, and take in a litte culture at the Collier County Museum. The museum is set on five acres that serve as the backdrop for such diverse exhibits as historic cottages and gardens, a Seminole village, a tropical orchid house and a Sherman tank! Inside the museum's main building, is a series of well written displays and well set out exhibits. The exhibits spaned a timeframe spanning from prehistoric saber cat skeletons (at one time this region was so populated with animals that it rivaled the African Serengeti); to Calusa Indians (hundreds of years before America was "discovered" the Calusa ruled here); to the Spanish explorers (Juan Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain 1513); to Seminole warriors (Creek Indians, escaped black slaves and various refugees joined together to form the Seminole), through to the settlers of today. The museum phrases all this a little more concisely - "Where the past meets the present".
We combined our visit to the museum with the weekend of the "Old Florida Festival" (an annual living history festival with re-enactors, craft workers, period vendors and demonstrations). Following the festival signs on the East Trail to just past the Courthouse Shadows and found ourselves at the Collier County Museum. The museum hosts the festival every year (and it is their main fund-raising event). It felt like we had stepped back in time as we wandered around the festival grounds, meeting Calusa Indians, British Infantry, Continental Soldiers, and many more. Young and old alike all dressed in period dress - using "antique" toys and tools. There was music and food and a good time was had by all.
We enjoyed our day so much we now plan to check out the three other Collier County Museums - the Naples Depot Museum (set in a restored railway passenger station), Immokalee Pioneer Museum (Set on a ranch - museum hours by appointment) and Museum of the Everglades (set in a laundry building from the 1920's).
Collier County Museum
3301 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34112
239-774-8476
Hours: Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free but donations gladly accepted.
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