Marco Island History

Visiting the Marco Island Historical Museum is both an education and fun experience. It’s a great way to spend a couple of hours away from the beach. A major reason for both residents and visitors to the island to visit this museum is to see the Key Marco Cat exhibit.  However, there is also a lot to learn about the history of the Marco Island area.

The Key Marco Cat

Carved from native hardwood, the Key Marco Cat was created some 500 to 1,500 years ago by Southwest Florida’s early Calusa people or their Muspa ancestors. Because they were buried in an oxygen-free layer of much, the rare wooden objects were astonishingly well preserved. Since their discovery, the Key Marco Cat and other artifacts have been preserved by the Smithsonian and University of Pennsylvania.

The half cat/half human figure is considered one of the finest pieces of pre-Columbian Native American art ever discovered in North America. It is just six inches tall, but the feline has captured the public’s attention for over a century. It continues to intrigue visitors to the Marco Island Historical Museum.

Temporary and traveling exhibits trace the settlement of this island called “paradise” from its early pioneer roots. Marco Island started out as a fishing village, pineapple plantation and clam cannery. Explosive growth and development in the 1960s by the Miami-based Deltona Corporation brought the island to the attention of people seeking beachfront homes from across the nation.

Current Exhibits at Marco Island Historical Museum

The Calusa – Marco Island’s earliest settlers

An exhibit providing extraordinary insight into the daily lives of the Calusa Indians and their ancestors. The Calusas dominated Florida’s Southwest Coast and controlled South Florida by the time the Spanish arrived in the 16th Century. The Calusas developed from the archaic peoples of the Everglades region. They were a powerful, complex society that lived on the shores of Southwest Florida. The had a reputation of being a fierce, war-like people, especially among European explorers and smaller groups.

Pioneer Era – (A Tale of Two Villages) Marco Island from the 1800’s to the 1960’s

This exhibit offers visitors an look at the people, industries and lifestyles on Marco Island during the late 1800s and early 1900s.  It explores the pioneer villages at Marco and Caxambas.

Modern Marco – From the Mackle Brothers to Today

Explores Marco’s explosive growth over the last 50 years. It begins with the vision of Deltona Corporation’s Marco brothers. Their massive development project forever changed the face of Marco Island.

Windows and Doors To History – (a permanent outdoor gallery)

Windows & Doors to History extends Marco Island Historical Museum exhibitions to the outside with 20 faux windows, three faux doors, and a 3 panel column that depict scenes from Marco’s history.  Portraits of individuals who had great influence on the area are presented.

It’s the #1 Thing to Do

The museum is also the perfect place to pick up a souvenir coffee table book or take home gift from their on site gift shop.

TripAdvisor always gives the Marco island Historical Museum a very high rating on the list of things to do in Marco Island.  “USA Today” has rated MIHM the #1 thing to do while on Marco.

180 S. Heathwood Dr.
Marco Island, Fl. 34145
(239) 642-1440
https://colliermuseums.com/locations

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed on National and County Holidays