Restored and refreshed History Gallery open at library
The Captiva Island Historical Society’s (CIHS) History Gallery is again open to the public.
Located within the Captiva Memorial Library, it had been closed since September when it and the library were damaged in Hurricane Helene and then took a second hit in October during Milton.
“The library and gallery sustained storm surge,” CIHS Board President Tom Libonate said.
Established in 2014, the gallery is a visual replica of the Captiva mailboat, which was called the Santiva. The exhibit features historical artifacts and interactive multimedia, including videos.
“It tells the story of life on Captiva,” he said of the information and pieces on display. “From the Calusa Indians and early homesteaders, to current day.”
The CIHS previously reported in December, that after meeting with construction professionals, it was advised that the entire exhibit had to be taken apart, salvaging what could be thoroughly dried and stored in air-conditioned containers, then reassembled after the library was repaired from the damage.
“We had to dissemble the gallery,” Libonate said.
“We had to put in new flooring,” he added. “Everything is new.”
In mid-January, the CIHS had reported that the gallery was reassembled and freshened up, but some final work still needed to be completed. When the library reopened on April 2, it was ready to go.
The exhibit has been restored to its pre-storms condition.
“The only difference is that it’s fresher,” Libonate said. “It gave us a chance to tune it up a bit.”
However, a new feature is in the works. The CIHS will be adding an isolated audio projection — a plastic cone suspended from the ceiling — that visitors can stand under to listen to one monitor.
To help pay for the restoration effort, gift donations were invited.
“Incredibly generous,” he said of those who donated, also extending his thanks and appreciation. “With all the issues that individuals had on their own, we were astounded with the response we received.”
“Basically, all our expenses were covered from donations,” Libonate added, noting that the gifts received will also fund the purchase and installation of the planned isolated audio projection.
The CIHS also praised the dedicated efforts of Board Vice President Mike Boris and Bob Johnson.
“Mike was coordinator and Bob assisted him,” he said of the restoration project.
“There was a lot of coordination,” Libonate added. “They really really stepped up and helped us.”
In addition, thanks were extended to contractor Trim City and local artist and author Ilie Ruby.
“They painstakingly had to take the gallery apart, much like a puzzle, to make sure we could put it back together,” he said of Trim City, noting that it also safely stored what elements of the exhibit could be salvaged and then reassembled the gallery, plus did all the painting and updated the antiquated lighting.
Ruby restored the damaged parts of the painted murals on the walls.
“A very talented artist,” Libonate said. “She volunteered her time to finish those murals.”
The public is invited to stop by and check it out.
“It’s a fresher representation of what life was like,” he said.
The library is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.
For more information, visit http://www.captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org/.
The Captiva Memorial Library is at 11560 Chapin Lane, Captiva.