Events Calendar 2012
Special exhibitions, lecture programs and family-centered, living history events are offered throughout the year at each Museum facility and provide unique opportunities to learn more about the history and heritage of one of America's last great frontiers.Upcoming Events and Programs
January
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Program: The Calusa Indians- Marco’s Earliest People
Bert Gillespie will lecture about Marco Island’s earliest ancestors, the Calusa Indians. The program will be held at the Marco Island Historical Museum, in the Rose History Auditorium, at 7:00 p.m. Program is free of charge, and open to the public. Sponsored by the Marco Island Historical Society. For more information, please call (239) 389-6447.
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Program: Pirates of the Gulf Coast
Collier County Museum’s resident pirate, the Silver Phantom, will be on hand to demonstrate and explain typical pirate weapons and tactics. He will also talk about the significance of the various symbols displayed on pirate flags, with several to show as examples. Do you know the differences between a pirate, a buccaneer, and a corsair? Our pirate will also be able to explain that and other pirate myths. Feel free to bring your gold, silver, jewels and other treasures for a free assessment. But beware, pirates have been known to lie, cheat, and steal!
January 19
Program: Paul Arsenault’s experiences with A.E. “Beanie” Backus
Paul Arsenault will present a PowerPoint lecture on famous Florida landscape artist A.E. “Beanie” Backus and his influence on the Florida Highwaymen. The program will be held at the Marco Island Historical Museum, in the Rose History Auditorium, at 6:00 p.m. Program is free of charge, and open to the public. Sponsored by the Marco Island Historical Society. For more information, please call (239) 389-6447.
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Event: Meet and Greet the Highwaymen
Meet and chat with Florida Highwaymen artists Mary Ann Carroll (the only female Highwaymen) & James Gibson as they discuss their paintings and sign books. The event is free and will be held at the Marco Island Historical Museum from 10am-4pm in conjunction with the Highwaymen: Against All Odds exhibit now on display. Call (239) 642-1440 for details.
February
February 7
Program: History of Florida in 40 Minutes
Michael Gannon, from the University of Florida will lecture on Florida’s expansive history in just 40 minutes. A book singing will follow the presentation. The program will be held at the Marco Island Historical Museum, in the Rose History Auditorium, at 7:00 p.m. Program is free of charge, and open to the public. Sponsored by the Marco Island Historical Society. For more information, please call (239) 389-6447.
February 8
Program: Florida and the Civil War: The Battle of Olustee
Collection Development and Events Coordinator at the Sanibel Library and author ofMen of Granite: New Hampshire's Soldiers in the Civil War, Duane Shaffer will discuss Florida’s role in the Civil War and the Battle of Olustee. The Battle of Olustee was the largest battle fought in Florida during the war. The program will be held at the Collier County Museum at 2pm. Please call (239) 252-8476 for more information.
February 9
Event: “Scarlett”
Actress Janet Myer will lead a book discussion on, Scarlett: The Sequel to Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone With the Wind” by Alexandra Ripley at 3pm on the Collier County Museum grounds while portraying Ms. O’Hara. Afternoon Tea and cookies will be served in Southern fashion. Free. Reservations required. Call (239) 252-8476 for more information.
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Event: “The Tragic Mrs. Lincoln”
Actress Janet Myer will perform a one woman play about the two sides of the infamous and controversial Mary Todd Lincoln at the Naples Depot Museum. Show begins at 4pm. Admission $10 per person. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door. Seating is limited. Call (239) 252-8476 for information.
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Marjory Stoneman Douglas Festival
The life and times of legendary author, journalist and environmental activist Marjory Stoneman Douglas are celebrated each February at the Museum of the Everglades in Everglades City. Best known for her book, Everglades: River of Grass, Douglas was one of the first to draw attention to South Florida's fragile ecosystem and at the advanced age of 78, became an outspoken, sometimes feisty crusader to preserve and protect the Everglades.
This unique annual festival pays tribute to Douglas' groundbreaking work with four days of boat tours, guided walks and canoe trips through the Big Cypress Swamp and Everglades National Park, environmental films, and museum talks by noted authors and scientists. The activities fill up fast, so reservations are required.
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Festival is held every February, at the Museum of the Everglades, Everglades City. For a schedule of festival events, click here.For more information, please call (239) 695-0008.
March
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Antique Auto Show
Trains and automobiles arrived on the Southwest Florida scene at about the same time and symbolized Collier County's new economic optimism and transportation habits. That makes the Naples Depot Museum the ideal spot for this annual gathering of vintage car collectors.
Sponsored each March by the Naples-Marco Island Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America, this impressive car show has been going on locally for over twenty years and features more than 100 rare and antique autos.
The Naples-Marco Island Antique Car Show will be held March 3, 2012 at the Naples Depot Museum. This is an annual event; for more information, please call Gary Doner at 239-860-2726.
March 6
Program: Paul Arsenault Lecture & Exhibit Opening
Paul Arsenault will present a PowerPoint lecture on his work and new exhibit that will be featured in the museum. Arsenault’s exhibit opening will follow the lecture in the museum. The program will be held at the Marco Island Historical Museum, in the Rose History Auditorium, at 7:00 p.m. Program is free of charge, and open to the public. Sponsored by the Marco Island Historical Society. For more information, please call (239) 389-6447.
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Old Florida Festival
Try a little of our history on for size.
Time-travel back over a hundred lifetimes at the Old Florida Festival, our signature event held annually at the Collier County Museum's main five-acre site in Naples.
This two-day living history festival gathers together some of the state's finest craftworkers, folklorists, musicians and historical re-enactors to recapture the sights and sounds of everyday life on the Florida frontier. One of Naples' best-known cultural events, this ultimate reality show offers an entertaining and educational trip through South Florida's surprisingly colorful past for families, schoolchildren and visitors of all ages and interests.
For more information, click here.
Admission is $5 for adults; $2 for children 8 to 18; children under 8 are free.
March 14
Program: The Quotable Edison
Michele Albion, award-winning author of The Quotable Edison and The Florida Life of Thomas Edison will speak about the work and words of the world’s most famous inventor. After the discussion, books will be available for sale and signing. The Quotable Edison offers a wealth of his insightful, enlightening, and sometimes humorous comments and witticisms on a wide range of subjects, from business to politics, from religion to nutrition, from advice to boys, to opinions on women’s clothing.
April
April 3
Program: Birds of Florida
Len Messineo will present a PowerPoint lecture of his photographs documenting Florida’s birds. The program will be held at the Marco Island Historical Museum, in the Rose History Auditorium, at 7:00 p.m. Program is free of charge, and open to the public. Sponsored by the Marco Island Historical Society. For more information, please call (239) 389-6447.
November
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USO Show at the Naples Depot
Naples' role as an Army Air Corps training base during World War II is remembered each November 11th at the Naples Depot Museum, following the city's Veterans Day ceremony. Although closed to train traffic for the duration, the old station came alive every Saturday night with USO shows and dances designed to boost the morale of soldiers stationed at the nearby army airfield (now Naples Airport).
The Depot's annual USO show faithfully recreates the sights and big band sounds of the 1940s with an afternoon of music and memories that brought the "greatest generation" onto the dance floor. A special ceremony and opening address honors veterans from all of America's armed conflicts.
The USO Show at the Naples Depot will be held immediately following the Veterans Memorial Service in Cambier Park which will begin at 10 a.m. The USO show will be from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. A limited number of chairs will be provided, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own. For more information, please call (239) 262-6525.
Other Special Attractions To Be Announced.
