Sanibel Historical Museum & Village to open for season
The Sanibel Historical Museum & Village will open for another season this week for residents and visitors alike to learn more about the history of Sanibel.
The season will kick off on Thursday, Oct. 15 with hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through April. From May through July 10, the Village will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The village hired both a new Executive Director Vacharee Howard and Operations Manager Greg Gent ahead of this season.
Howard stepped into her position in July. She has lived in Fort Myers since 2006.
“I ran a nonprofit organization for the past 22 years,” she said of being the chief executive officer of National Alliance for Mental Illness of Southwest Florida.
In her new role at the Village, she was directed not to run the organization, but to fundraise and market the Sanibel Historical Museum & Village to get their name out into the community, so people know who they are.
The season will kick off with an invitation only opening celebration for the Friends of the Village from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. The night will include nonalcoholic drinks, light hors d’oeuvres, as well as an opportunity to get to know the board and vision for the opening season.
Those interested in attending, are asked to email Howard at V.Howard@SanibelMuseum.org.
A great deal of work has gone into getting the Village ready for this season.
“The majority of the energy has been put into the Rutland House, so it is ready to go,” Howard said. “It has been closed since Hurricane Ian.”
The roof had to be replaced and the floor, as it was damaged by 2 feet of water that rose in the 1913 home. She said the house is on stilts with about a 4-foot crawl space.
Howard said they are super excited about the Rutland House being fixed.
“We added picnic tables and benches,” she said to the property to provide an opportunity for people to make a day of their visit exploring the grounds. “Have a picnic, and make it a day.”
Some other enhancements this season include the opportunity of renting out a 30-by-75-foot grassy area for events on the property.
She said they are treating the Village like a business, and renting out the grassy area is part of their fundraising arm.
Those interested in renting that space can email Howard.
Another fundraiser to come this season is Holidays at the Village, which is anticipated to become an annual event. She said they will introduce Christmas ornaments, with this year being the Rutland House.
The event, which has a theme of “If the Walls Could Talk,” will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 and include entertainment and auction items. The event will focus on what it looked like on Sanibel during the holidays and how residents celebrated.
Twilight Talks will return in 2027 at Shore Haven for three programs exploring the people, cultures and maritime traditions that shaped Sanibel. Those will be held in January, February and March.
A big gala is also scheduled to take place in February.
The Village, which embraces the history of Sanibel, has nine buildings on the property — The Caretaker’s Cottage (1925); Shore Haven (1924); Sanibel School House for White Children (1896); Rutland House (1913); Sanibel Packing House (1900); Post Office (1926); Burnap Cottage (1898); Miss Charlotta’s Tea Room (1926); Old Bailey’s General Store (1927); and Morning Glories Cottage (1925).
Admission is $20 for adults 19 and older, $10 for youth 6-18 years old and free for children 5 and younger.
Scheduled group tours are available by calling (239) 472-4648 or by emailing info@sanibelmuseum.org.
The Village is located at 950 Dunlop Rd. For more information, visit https://sanibelmuseum.org.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY / mbradbury@breezenewspapers.com, please email