Living History - The Mound House

Explore History and Nature at the Mound House on Fort Myers Beach

The Mound House, Estero Island’s oldest standing structure, has recently been restored to its 1921 grandeur and is now open as a cultural and environmental learning center. Mound House is a unique archaeological and historical site on Fort Myers Beach located directly on Estero Bay and offers a variety of programs for visitors. Experience this one of a kind museum that sits atop a 2,000 year old Calusa Indian Shell Mound.

When you tour the 1921 Arts and Crafts style house built by the William H. Case family, you can now view a 1909 period room from the original pioneer dwelling. An orientation gallery describes the home’s history, how it changed through time and its preservation process. On the property grounds, you can explore almost three acres that reflect the native plants used by the Calusa as well as pioneer crops. The Mound House Gardens educate visitors about many of the over 100 plants and trees from Florida and around the globe that have influenced human history. The underground archaeological exhibit, Stories Beneath Our Feet, provides for a full immersion into the ancient mound.

Check out the three new exhibit galleries:

•  “Ancient People”: Explores the prehistory of Florida and the period when the Calusa came into power in Southwest Florida. It describes their culture and showcases artifacts recovered from the site
• “Settlers on the Shells”: Highlights the people who came after the Calusa, including Cuban ranchos, fisherfolk, homesteaders, and other inhabitants
• “Digging Deeper Exploration Gallery”: An interactive gallery that allows visitors to explore historical documents and photographs

Additional fun, educational programs for visitors of all ages are being offered on the Mound House website.

ABOUT MOUND HOUSE

Location: The Mound House — A Cultural and Environmental Learning Center, 451 Connecticut Street, Town of Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Museum hours January through April: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm Grounds: Pet-friendly. Open daily from sunrise to sunset. Available for special event rental.
Admission: $10 adults; $8 students with ID: $5, ages 12 to 6, free for 5 and under
Parking: Free

For more information, kayak or tour reservations call 239-765-0865 or visit moundhouse.org.