Marco Island Historical Museum Reviews

fantastic museum. super interesting and well done. helpful staff. tons of info. great way to spend a few hours. highly recommend

It has been awhile since I visited this little museum. The additions are wonderful. I loved the new exhibits. Make sure you visit the the gift shop. Not only will you see a nice variety of items but I thought the prices were reasonable.

Was recommended to go by a family member who'd went a few days prior. Museum is successfully laid out to make the displays engaging and easy to digest. Best part was the Key Marco Cat. Definitely recommend anyone in the area to pop by.

The museum was very interesting, especially for a free attraction. And we felt safe as everything was clean and measures were in place for social distancing. Our daughters especially liked the gift shop.

Exceeded my families expectation for a free museum. We learned a lot about the history of Marco. Staff was very friendly and we overall enjoyed our time at this beautifully designed museum. 🤗

Wonderful history lesson for young and old alike of the early years of Marco Island to present day. I love visiting the museum.

Tremendous amount of local history. Great displays and artwork. Very much worth the visit, I will return.

This museum is so interesting. It tells you the story of the island from start to current. I love all the pictures and displays.

I’ve gone to the museum for a few years during prior visits and always enjoyed the experience. This time, I went with my anthropologist fiancé and he shed a different light on the museum. A lot of the museum is white washed, including several references to Christianity as a historical timeline. One of the first exhibits had a diorama of a Mac book made out of paper. It was weird and cheapened the methodology of collecting artifacts.

Great historical info about the island. Loved this year’s focus on transportation and how it developed over the years.

Small but well laid out with a surprising nice little gift shop. Entrance is free but they appreciate donations. Great coverage of the last 150 Years or so. Plenty of parking.

The MIHM was a complete surprise. Our party spent over three hours there and enjoyed it tremendously. Considering it is a small facility, it seemed unlikely we would be there more than an hour. We ended up reading every word about the history of the island and studying the exhibits. The paintings of the early Muspa and Calusa peoples are vivid and informative. Of course we saw the Key Marco cat on loan from the Smithsonian. Although dimly lit (by requirement), it and the other ancient treasures are fascinating. We sat for the half-hour movie which doubled down on the information given throughout the museum. The room covering the development of the island in the mid-20th century is very well done and really helps one to understand how the current residential canal-filled island was developed. Even the gift shop is interesting. Before leaving, we went around the outside of the building and viewed the painted "windows" which explore various important people and events of Marco history. None of us expected the MIHM to be as wonderful and first-class as it is. Note: Amazingly, the museum is free but a $5 donation gets you a set of Key Marco cat note cards.

We stopped in for a little education about the history of Marco Island. Very good displays and photos from more recent history. Very nice welcome and overview from the volunteer at the entrance. Everyone went at their own pace and focused on the things that interested them most. Not crowded, safe for kids to explore around. Very clean. Friendly people. Definitely worth the time. It kept the kids' interest for an hour; I could have spent more time going through.

When my husband read an article on Smithsonian.com about the Key Marco Cat, oldest example of pre-Colombian art in North America, being exhibited on Marco Island, we just had to make a special trip there from our rental in Naples. After admiring this beautifully carved example of pre-Columbian art, we also learned about the Calusa and Musa Indians in a wonderfully recreated village with life-size statues of native people engaged in daily activities. An equal part of the museum dedicated to the history and development of the island up to modern day is also very educational. An added extra for me was the really lovely gift shop. This museum is well worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Stop by for an hour or two if you're interested in local history.
DO NOT miss the half hour film about the history and founding of Marco.

This museum is so well done!! Learn ancient and recent history about Marco Island. Just the perfect size indoor activity when the beach is near. They also have an art gallery that had a wonderful juried art show on display. Admission is free, we made a small donation and received some lovely cards.

There are other museums in the area: CollierMuseums.com

It is hard to believe that an island that was really only developed a few short years ago has so much history to offer. As an early Indian settlement, the Marco Historical Society has done an incredible job of depicting by paintings, statues and artifacts, the chronological history and development of the island. This attraction is well worth a visit by every resident and visitor alike.

Small but well laid out with a surprising nice little gift shop. Entrance is free but they appreciate donations. Great coverage of the last 150 Years or so as well as antiquity. Plenty of parking.

What a treat to spend an hour or two at this charming and informative museum. Currently being rehabbed in the inside, the refurbished part will only enhance its offerings. Attendant at check-in desk was a jewel and the gift store lady was very helpful. Because a valuable and rare Smithsonian artifact was on display, a guard was positioned to limit photos of the famous Marco Island cat, only six inches high and dug up during an 1896 excavation that provided insight into the Calusa Indian culture who were the original inhabitants. Beautifully carved masks, that are also between 500 and 1500 years old, were also excavated from the oxygen-free layers of muck. Visitors will also see a pioneer village with a Cracker house that existed in the late 1800’s juxtaposed to modern Marco Island and its explosive growth that has occurred during the last 50 years. In the ‘60’s, a brand new house there cost $14,900! The museum is in a delightful building with a center courtyard and murals painted on the outside. Following our tour of this museum, we continued to Everglades City and its museum—both so different and both treats!

The Marco Island Historical Museum is definitely a must visit for visitors to or residents of Marco Island. The museum is beautifully maintained and has so much incredible detail from the archaeological and anthropological studies of the island and its people (past and present). I recommend a visit to this interesting place!

You need to carve out an hour or so to go through the museum. It is jam packed with Florida history surrounding the Marco Island area. What an in-depth display to behold. Be sure to include the museum whenever you visit this area. You certainly won't be disappointed!

It’s and excellent museum and I recommend that everyone go to it! Lots of interesting exhibits and history of Marco Island.

Good way to spend a couple of hours on a hot Florida afternoon! Glad to see the Key Marco Cat while it is still on loan. Learned a lot about the history of the area and indigenous people that I did not know before. The exhibits are a little overwhelming with the amount of text and detail that they have, however. Some of the text is also difficult to read due to relatively small print and black text on green background.

This is a kid friendly museum with outdoor exhibits as well as indoor. A true history of Marco Island from the Callusa Indians through the development of the island. Lots of artifacts and memorabilia. You exit through a nice gift shop with something for everyone!

Their Native American display was really cool! Lots of good info, too. The displays are very well done and look brand new. There is a section on the archaeology of the area and items that were found. It was very informative. They are also awaiting the arrival of some Native American archaeological pieces that were taken from the area and will be returned soon! There was a temporary exhibit on display about what Marco used to be. I am not a native, but I enjoyed the display and felt the love they feel for their town. The gift shop was really nice and had a lot of good options at different price points. Not much for the little ones.

It was very informative and shared a lot of information and history about how Marco Island came to be. Definitely a hidden gem of Florida

Really a great place to visit to learn about the island. So much information. Very well done. So glad I went.

Often you dont think about the past and how it shapes the world today ..This is a great opportunity to connect with the history of the area . Enjoyed the visit .

Since my last visit a couple of years ago, I recently returned with a guest and was pleased to see that almost all or the already lovely displays have been completely re-done. There are a lot more items on display, higher quality informational plaques and just overall an even better experience. So if you haven't been here in awhile, go back! If you are looking for something to do around Marco - escaping rain or sun or just need a change of pace you need to check out the museum- I always recommend this to locals who have not visited as well as there is SO MUCH information about Marco from it's original inhabitants to the more modern "boom" era.
Nice little gift shop attached with a lot of cute reasonably priced items as well as many from local artists.
The front entry area offers a rotating display of featured artists. The fee is a donation to the museum. Wonderful, welcoming docents have been at the front desk for both of my visits.

There are lots of very informative exhibits and beautiful displays. I particularly loved the Calusa and Muspa section of the museum.

An interesting insight into how Marco Island reached its present day situation. Interactive things for children. Very knowledgable staff.

This is a wonderful way to spend an hour or so learning about the history of the island. For a small town museum, the quality of the exhibits is top notch. I specifically went to view the exhibit of the original houses of Marco Island on this visit. I often stop just to visit the gift shop for birthday or Christmas gifts. They have unique and handcrafted items from local artists. Just a fun way to learn and explore. There is no cost for admission, just a requested donation.

We were recommended this by a local resident. It was excellent. A lot of work has gone into this place. It's a great insight into the Calusa native Americans, the subsequent European colonisation of the area and the real estate and development boom of the sixties. They've really thought hard about the displays and have put in some excellent visual effects. It's really impressive and worth a visit. Plus it's free but it was so good we donated money because it was well deserved. Great place to spend an hour either on a rainy day or to escape the midday sun.

Since going to the museum, I've told everyone I know what a perfect little gem it is sitting peacefully on Marco Island. The exhibits are professionally creative and include the history of the area from the Calusa Indians to more recent times. It really is fascinating to see the beautiful artwork on the outside of the building that also details the local history while enjoying the lush landscaping. I can't say enough ++++ about this museum!

We went to learn more about the island and the history of the area- learn we did. The video is extremely informative and then the exhibits build off that information and provide an amazing overview of the reason and way Marco Island was developed. Guaranteed to teach you more than you can imagine. The staff is knowledgeable and welcoming.

There's so much to do in Marco Island that sometime you might be looking for something a little quieter. Some museums can be dark and musty. Not this one! It's very clean and bright. We learned a lot just from the signage at the displays. We were surprised that it was so enjoyable. Life in the early years on Marco was pretty hard. I'm not sure the museum could hold a young child's interest though. But there are additional things to do outside on the grounds.

Visited in mid-July 2019 and had an awesome time! The exhibits were very interesting and very family friendly! Definitely a hidden gem on the island, but would highly recommend stopping on a rainy day!

Although this museum is small, the layout is done very well, It is concise and logically planned as to give the most information about the island in the most interesting way. They use every bit of space even 2 outside exhibits, the pictures on the outside of the museum depicting the lifetime of the island, and the plant tour with all native Florida plants. You can go here multiple times, and learn something new each time. This is a must do if you are here on the island.

Very comprehensive exhibit showing how Island was developed. Lots of interesting artifacts from Indians that lived here long ago! We got there too late 3:53 ( closes at 4 pm) but a woman who worked there spent time explaining some of what was on display there so we were happy to come back the next morning.
Smal enough museum so you don’t get overwhelmed

This is a small, but very well done museum that gives the history of Marco Island from the Cayuga days through the development in the 1960’s. The history of this place is actually quite fascinating.

Museum is free but they do take donations. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. We enjoyed the interesting Marco Island history. Worth your time.

I appreciate the dedication of people to restore (artifacts and boat), return (cat statue), and preserve history; especially when the truth is difficult to take in. Staff was friendly and helpful. It was easy to spend 2 hours reading most of the materials and appreciating the local art.

Marco Island was developed in the mid '60s however there was 1000 yrs locals before Deltona Co. Learn about the Calusa Indians, the Spanish settlements, the courageous pioneer families and the recent Hermits, like Joe Dickman. Fascinating!!

This is a great place to learn of the History of Marco. Great for all ages. We go frequently as they are always adding.

An amazing museum with a ton of cool information managed by a super sweet and an awesome staff the cat statue really ties the place together.

We planned a visit here during our recent holiday and allowed an hour as directed by other reviews and some locals. A small but very interesting museum with lots of local history and exhibits. An hour flew and I only wish we d allowed twice as long as didn’t get to read all the info. It is free admission however a $5 donation is requested. In return you receive a lovely pack of gift cards so well worth the cost . Very interesting 😃

This museum's focus is on Marco Island history dating back centuries. Exhibits show visitors how the native Calusa tribes lived and later times as European settlers arrived. More modern history is covered too from the late 19th thru 20th centuries. Many artifacts with detailed descriptions bring the history to life along with realistic dioramas. For a "local museum", visitors will find the displays very professional and they compare very favorably with those of much larger museums.

Loved learning about the island. The artifacts are wonderful. The museum itself is clean, spacious and beautiful. Staff is accommodating and welcoming. Make sure to visit the gift shop for unique items.

Visited the museum on one of the rare rainy days in Marco this month. Definitely worth the time, so much information on the early history of Marco Island. Learned a lot about the Indians that once inhabited the area. There is also a 30 minute movie about the development of the island by the Mackle brothers. If you enjoy history, make sure you plan a visit!

This is a small museum about the history of Marco Island but it is very interesting. There is some artwork in one room, displays about the ecology in another and pictures showing how the island was developed in the 60's and 70's. If you are in the area, it is worth stopping by.

Although we've vacationed in Marco Island for nearly 10 years, we never checked out this museum. What a delightfful find. This captures the history, culture and atmosphere of the area. We're looking forward to returning!

My husband and I enjoyed the museum and highly recommend it. They've done an excellent job of explaining the history and how the island came to be such a popular spot. During our visit we were fortunate to see the Marco cat which was found during an archaeologist visit years ago (and is normally housed at the Smithsonian).

Excellent source of interesting aspects of this island...free and great for all ages. The Marco island car is here right now......awesome example of archeological finds! Hidden gem for tourists and residents!!

Had a nice tour and the staff was great. Interesting story of the development of the island. The Mackle family was instrumental here.

Visited the museum to learn the history of Marco Island and was greatly pleased with the amount and quality of information. They had great exhibits and very interesting facts to go along with the exhibits. Interesting to see and hear the vision of what founders had in mind when creating this beautiful island. Staff was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.

This is a must stop when you visit Marco Island. Has everything to tell you the story of the island. Staff are great will answer any of your question about the island and the area. Loved it!

Loved learning about the Marco Cat and the Calusa and Muspa Indians. Amazing to see the transformation of Marco Island over the years.

We were on vacay and happened to see an advertisement for the museum and a special display of relics on loan from the Smithsonian museum specific to Marco Island. The overall museum was laid out well, easy to follow the history with some interactive displays. I loved that it was not only the long ago history, but also the development of the island from the 1960's on as that held particular nostalgic interest for me. Well done. Took only about two hours. General museum accessibility and common areas were roomy and easy to access.

I grew up in Washington DC and visit the Smithsonian museums there at least once a year when I return to visit my family. I am also a social/cultural anthropologist all this to say that I did not expected to be wowed but I was by the Marco Island Historical Museum! We were fortunate to be there when the “cat” was on site. The natural and native history displays were Smithsonian national Museum caliber. We found ourselves reading every display in the
Pre-European encounter section and spending more time than we expected in this gem.

Been wanting to see the Marco cat for years. Great display for kids and adults of Native American life.

Interesting history of Marco up to the present, and no admission. Gelogical review, native Indian culture, early settlers and development as a waterfront resort area.

A very well organized historical review of Marco Island. Lots of very interesting artifacts and dioramas. Very much worth the small donation they ask.

Very informative. Well displayed. Friendly atmosphere , great insight to the history of Marco Island. We are in real estate industry and enjoyed seeing the progression of homes on the Island

very interesting place to get a feeling who lived here a long time ago in this very special environment. Worth a visit.
Also provide interesting lectures

This is a donation museum and was highly worth the donation. The curator gives people who donate a set of cards which was nice. There are several different types of exhibits and ALL of them are great. IT is also a great thing to do on a rainy day which is was when we went for a visit. The exhibits are so well done that you will not believe it!

Since it rains for a bit every day here, this museum is the perfect way to spend that short, rainy period. It is very interesting, and the entire circuit through the museum only takes a very short time.

I am a local and love the Museum. They have done a great job telling the story of Marco. The Wax Village of the Kalusa Indians is great. I would take all visitors there. My Grandchildren love to go every time they visit. Don't forget to leave a donation or buy something in the gift shop so they can continue the good work.

We visited this week (Saturday) with our five year old and twin 3 1/2-year-olds. :/ The kids liked rocking in the rocking chairs and checking out the Native American exhibit but other than that it was a lot of reading and slow moving which didn't fit their excitement level. I'm not sure the other patrons enjoyed that we were visiting the museum either. The Next time I'll leave the toddlers at home and we will go just us so we can actually enjoy the history of their island. Lots of informative displays. Gorgeous rooms by theme. Very small (like four rooms) but information packed. Some lovely artwork by local artists in the front room. And FREE, with free parking though donations are accepted.

When we arrived we were greeted by 2 very friendly ladies. They gave us all the information we needed to enjoy the museum. I expected a small museum but it is much more. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip through from the Calusa Indians to the 1920’s and 30’s. The Calusa Cat is on loan from the Smithsonian at this time. So happy that we were able to see it and all the artifacts. The timeline on the wall was really great to put the timeframe into perspective. Truly a great find. We will be visiting all of the Collier museums.

A fabulous historical view of Marco Island - many interesting displays to enjoy and peruse. A great way to spend a cloudy/rainy day on the Island for all ages.

We learned a lot of things about the history of Marco Island, The Mackle brothers, and the Calusa Indians. It's free of charge and special thanks to Nancy at the gift shop.She dısplayed honor and valor

We have been vacationing here for over 10 years and this is the first time we have taken time to visit. What a wonderful museum. There is no charge but a box for donations. Lots of displays, paintings, etc and a movie that tells the history of the island. Great way to spend an hour or so.

This was a great little museum great for couples and families. This was very well done and provides a quick overview of the island. Worth stopping in a seeing the artifacts. Staff are very friendly. Happy we found this place.

Entrance was free, but they do take donations at the door. Happy to donate after seeing how nice this place was.

I live on Marco Island and have many visitors. I take them all to the museum. This year I’ve taken folks from 5-75 and they all enjoyed it and learned something new.

A great place to visit. Marco has a very interesting history and the museum tells it and displays it well. Very informative.

It was a rainy day on Marco we we thought what better day to go to the museum. I was quite surprised by just how interesting this was! Like I said I am not really the museum type but I really did enjoy myself. I learned lots about Marco by watching the short film, go to see the Marco cat and purchased a couple really nice mugs in the gift shop. I would go again should I find myself back on Marco!

Worthwhile to visit. Very nice to learn about the history of Marco Island. There can never be another Island like Marco due to our current EPA laws. I found this part of the museum the most interesting. It is free and definitely worth a stop. Nice and cool inside too. All the staff were most helpful and pleasant.

We were on Marco Island on during the cold spell in January. Going to the beach was out of the question so we decided to visit the museum. I'm so glad we did. There was a lot of history we didn't know about.

The Marco Museum is wonderful and very informative. It explains the history of Marco from its earliest development up to the present ! it depicts the information with pictures, maps, and displays! The best part is that it is FREE !

We spent a delightful visit at this museum. It features the indigenous people of Southwestern Florida and has many interactive displays to further your knowledge and understanding of the culture of these people. Then the development and history of modern Marco Island comes to life through displays, video, and interactive exhibits to follow individual interests. A truly great day in comfortable environment.

Highly informative history of the people and area of Marco Island from the Native American people to present day. It was fun to watch some early films/documentaries of the island.

This place is a GEM, great place to leasr about the history of the Marco Island from the orginal people on the Island to the developments in the 1960's. this is a must visit for all visitors.

This small museum houses a wealth of information which is very well presented and gives excellent insight to a multitude of cultures that have impacted Marco Island. I have forgotten the name of the woman who assited us on Wednesday, 9.25.2024 (beautiful wavy blonde hair) but her recommendations and explainations of how the museum was set up prior to entry was very helpful. My boyfriend had wanted to see all the artwork on the outside of the museum prior to entry and I was glad that he suggested it as it gave us a previewed timeline of what we were to see inside. We spent about 2 hours and enjoyed all of it. Exceeded our expectations. Thank you to all the sponsors, voluteers and paid employees at this location - job well done! Highly recommend. (sj- Fort Lauderdale, FL)

Make time for this little museum. It packs a lot of punch! It exceeded our expectations and we learned a lot about the island.

the exhibit was well done. the staff did an excellent job in research and presentation. A must see while visiting in this charming Marco Island, Florida.

Lovely museum. Lots of engaging actitives to do when you 1st walk in. Great displays. Very informative. We went on the last day to get out of the heat. You only need 45 mins to an hour. I liked learning about Marcos History.

So far this has been the best place to learn about the history of Florida - it is fully detailed from the very first indian inhatibants to our present days - the lay out of the exhibits is easy to walk through and the various sceneries so beautifully and well done that you feel in a complete immersion in the life of the Indians.And to top it all the few artifacts discovered several decades and on loan from the Smithonian Institute are a reminder on how talented and artistic those people were. This Museum is really a must for all visitors as well as all the permanent residents who want or need to learn about the history of their native land. If you want to show your appreciation and as the entrance is free don't hesitate to leave a large donation. This Museum deserves it.

The perfect rainy day activity, but it will be a bit crowded. To learn a lot of Marco Island history in a short amount of time, make your first stop here. Well designed, excellent use of space and packed with information.
The Marco Cat is the central attraction, but only a tiny part of where is there to see.

This is one stop not to be missed.

Great little museum with lots of history about Marco Island. It shows from the very first indians up to modern development. I recommend the video at the end as it gives a great summary of the island.

We visited specifically to see the Marco Cat and also thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit of the Calusa indians.

Quite large. building housing artefacts and displays, manned by helpful and enthusiastic volunteers. On our visit the island's most famous finds were on display, on loan from Smithsonian and Penn.
Allowed an hour, but took two happily. Really helps give a feel of the indigenous early inhabitants, and the nineteenth/twentieth century pioneers and developers.

Had no idea of the rich history of the island. The Museum features an excavated Key Marco cat and I learned how Elkcam Street got its name ( Mackle spelled backwards) from the Mackle Brothers who did major developing. Highly recommended. Free!

This museum has a wonderful exhibit of Marco Island from its ancient days to today. The exhibits are very well done, information is very well written, photos are terrific and the recreations of the Calusa indian culture and lifestyle are beautifully done. It's very clever, very well laid out and easy to walk through and absorb. It has art and games, related puzzles and crafts stations for children. The interactive exhibits are beautifully done with high tech displays.

The exhibit features The Key Marco Cat, one of the finest pieces of Pre-Columbian Native American art ever discovered in North America. At only six inches tall and carved from native hardwood, the Key Marco Cat is a charismatic anthropomorphic feline statuette that has captured the public's imagination for more than a century. It's on loan from the Smithsonian to the Marco museum for two years, along with the actual masks worn by the Calusa and other artifacts from their culture.

Donations of items and information and photographs of local residents add unique and personal elements to the display.

It is an ideal place to spend and hour....or two with friends, family or on your own. You'll look at Marco Island, its surrounding environment and SW Florida in a whole new and better informed way.

And the museum gift shop has great items and art and souvenirs.

Run, don't walk, to the Marco Island Historical Museum!

In addition to the incredible exhibition, the interesting movie about the beginning and development of Marco Island is worth sitting through twice. Clean and comfortable, their gift shop is really the best display of goods from local talent. Don't miss this!

Wow! This is a beautiful hidden museum that everyone will love. It's free and you can leave a donation. Many historical facts beautifully displayed. Everyone will enjoy!

The museum was super interesting! Pretty cool how the cat is loaned from the Smithsonian! I definitely would recommend if your looking for something to do!

Three periods of local history. Pre-historical native Americans, 1800’s farming and development, and 1960 to present. Nothing fancy but well presented and friendly knowledgeable docents.

Five Star Museum and the most welcoming place...
Amazing history, art exhibits, and gift store!
Great job Volunteers and Staff!

Nice little place with a lot more history than one would expect. Great story on Marco Island. In and out in 40 minutes.

After spending time on this island along the southwest coast of Florida and enjoying the beaches and restaurants, it is nice to see some of the history of the area and this museum provides the opportunity for just that. With paintings, dioramas and many interesting artifacts, this museum incapsulates a long history into a relatively small space. From the native Indians to the current developed resort and community, the Marco Island Historical Museum artfully tells a story that holds your attention. The admission was free and for our group importantly, handicapped accessible.

Very interesting history about Marco Island. A great way to spend an hour or two and the best part is it's all free. A word of caution be careful when you cross the bridge into Marco Island there's a speed trap there.

Excellent little Museum with archeological and historic artifacts well presented with detailed explanations, and accomaning videos. Must see stop when you visit Marco's island.

This is a great little museum and very well organized. We love to learn of the history of areas we are visiting and this museum does not disappoint. Very nice, professionally done exhibits. Kids may not be quite as impressed as much of the history presented is gained by reading the panels. It is sad many of the oldest artifacts are replicas as U of PA has the originals having funded the expeditions way back when - doesn't seem right as this is the artifacts home. Spend a few hours here and you will appreciate Marco Island a little more!

This is definitely a must see. There is so much history in this Museum. And now the Key Marco Cat has returned on loan from the Smithsonian until April 2021 making the visit to the Museum an even more exceptional experience.

The woman at the front desk was incredible and extremely informative as to what to expect and what highlights to be on the lookout for. I wish I had her name to give her full credit.

The museum was quite extensive which made it all the better. Exhibits were thorough and intriguing, some predictable for the area, meanwhile other sections surprised me. There was so much to learn about Marco. Great experience and would highly recommend to families looking to spend 1-2 hours away from the beach and learn about the area they love.

The Marco Island Historical Museum is a must stop for any visitor- especially young children (no video gamers). Clean and inviting and now the Cat is back. All of the displays will give you the history of Marco and SW Florida. There are wonderful exhibits that illustrate Marco's native Americans and their lifestyle. Good film on Marco's modern transformation into a vacation destination and island paradise. Kudos to recognition of Gene Sarazen, a golfing legend who made Marco his home. But don't miss the cat. Very important historical find and a very cute kittie!

A beautiful museum and grounds to acquaint yourself with the history of Marco Island. The museum only asks for a donation for admission to a well presented history of this remote paradise called Marco Island. It has beautifully landscaped grounds with a statue of the Key Marco Cat. A great place to start your journey! Gift shop too!

Well worth a visit, especially on a wet day. Increadable to find out how MarcomIsland was discovered.

very interesting museum, great history and information, and its free!, great grift shop with lots to offer, lots of great local artifacts and friendly staff.

Wide range of history from known original inhabitants w/impressive artifacts from over 2,000
years ago to modern development.
History of actual archeological digs impressive!
Friendly staff. Go!

This place is so interesting, take the time to visit, and you will learn a lot about this island, it's Indian natives, the pineapple plantation past. History is so important to this islands past, a must see! And it's FREE!

Enjoyed visiting this museum with my family. A great deal of information of how SWFlorida was developed. From the indian years to today....high value!!!

Interesting museum, nice break from the beach. It is small but has good exhibits and a short film. Small gift shop also.

What a great way to spend an hour or so, lots of interesting history. Admission is free (donation recommended).

The museum was very nice, and the staff were incredibly polite and helpful. Definitely a good stop if your visiting the island.

The facility is a great asset for the display of not only general Florida history, but a visiting collection from the Smithsonian is now on view, featuring the Key Marco Cat - an historic carving dating back thousands of years to Calusa Indian times. A lively group of museum visitors were very easily accommodated, with no rushing or crowding. Friendly, dedicated staff are on hand and knowledgeable. Well done 👌

This is a must see while visiting Marco Island! And it is FREE admission! The displays are all well done, well labeled and all appear to be brand new. There is a display of the history of Golf on the island including a tiny 3 hole mini golf where you can fill out your scorecard and get a stamp at the end of your visit. Other great displays include information about the Calusa Indians, early pioneers and families to inhabit Marco Island, the Cushing Archaeological Dig that uncovered 2,500 artifacts of the Calusa, including the Key Matco Cat that is currently on display. The museum also has an amazing gift shop. I loved the postcards that they have, not your normal touristy postcards. This was a fun little museum that would interest kids and adults alike!

I highly recommend making this museum part of a visit to Marco Island. We were all impressed by the quality and depth of the displays. I would suggest to give yourself at least an hour or more to enjoy all the museum has to offer.

We went to see the actual Marco island artifacts that were on loan from other museums. enjoyed the art on display by a local artist. the exhibits and information about the first people on Marco is very interesting and excellent. We spent most time on it. But we also enjoy the later history of early settlers and then the development to what Marco is today.

The Marco Island Cat, carved by the Calusa Indians 500-800 AD is on loan from the Smithsonian. Without this small statue, this museum is a must see. The history of the Island is told in beautiful displays. We learn something new every time we go. The gift shop is exceptional.

Walked over to this museum from our resort - it was about a mile and half away. Easy walk. Wonderful exhibits including a original Key Marco Cat on loan from the Smithsonian. Greeted warmly by the staff on arrival.

Visited here with low expectations but was pleasantly surprised. There are exhibits that tell the history of Marco Island and the people who inhabited it very impressive for a small museum. Takes about an hour or so to see.

This is NOT your typical local history museum. This is a professionally curated museum with fascinating and informative exhibits. No trip to Marco is complete without a visit to this place (and its lovely gift shop).

Great staff; enjoyed the permanent and temporary exhibits. Look them up to see special events. We attended an "almost ABBA" performance that was lots of fun. Also attended a storyteller's presentation on the first European child born on Marco.

After 19 years of visiting Marco Island, we stumbled upon the historical museum for our first visit....it’s definately worth a visit to understand how Marco came about with the vision of two forward thinking individuals....after visiting, we will better understand the community that IS Marco Island, heaven on earth.....

Presents the historic narrative of Marco Island. Very informative with wonderful staff. Feel free to ask many questions as they are very helpful. Highly recommend.

The museum houses many photographs and memorabilia of the island from the earliest days up to today. Volunteers and security were all helpful in understanding any questions about he exhibits.

We were pleasantly surprised to find the museum at the end of our block. It was the least of our intentions to spend much time in doors bug it's always great to get a bit of history about the place you are visiting. We stayed for about an hour with two 11 year old kids and filled some time before hitting the beach. Nice visit.

Very friendly staff and well maintained museum! Very welcoming and educational. I had free time and while visiting Marco Island. I happened to stumble upon the museum and am very pleased!

It was so good I went twice this week! I went with my family the next time and they loved it! Must vist during your time in Marco island!

Such a great museum! Very detailed, beautifully presented information on The history of Marco Island. A true gem offering wonderful events and special exhibits that give you great knowledge of the island.
The gift shop is fabulous! Nancy does a wonderful job keeping it filled with beautiful Marco Island gifts.

Please just go there and let the place speak for itself. You will be amazed and not the least bit disappointed, I am sure

I loved this little museum and was disappointed to see so few people there. First, it's free (or at least it was the day we were there). Second, it's so informative about both the ancient history of Marco Island and the indigenous populations as well as the more recent decades as it was built up for tourism. Although small, it is definitely a place everyone should go while they are on Marco - it's definitely a nice break from the beach and heat!

This is a great place to go if you want something to do when it’s raining or you have had enough beach ( Is that possible 🤔 ).
There is a lot of history, pics, and artifacts from the native tribes who once inhabited the area.
There was a friendly lady at the desk who provided all my grandkids with a great poster of the Marco cat. Go find out what that is all about.....very interesting.

Great museum. Well designed and now the addition of the Smithsonian relic from the island. Staff is competent and very gracious. Plus it is free.

Very friendly and informative staff/ lovely place to visit for an hour! Loved the exhibits. very nice grounds.

the museum has great things to see, but their gift shop and people in it are really helpful and dedicated.

The Key Marco Cat is on loan from the Smithsonian, it was definitely worth seeing. The museum is set up quite nicely and I learned a lot about the island.

This is a must see when visiting Marco Island. The museum has wonderful displays highlighting the history of the island and its native people and cultures and then also explains the development in the 1960s and the limitations imposed from environmental regulations. At the time we visited there was a temporary exhibit of Hollywood pictures by Bob Willoughby which was unique and fun to see. I would allow an hour or two to visit and I think kids 3rd grade and older will also enjoy and be engaged. After visiting, we were able to recognize some of the original houses from the original development as we drove around the island.

The Museum is a wonderful experience, even if the cat is not there.
We go there at least once a year to keep up to date and the additions. Our grade school grandchildren love it.

Three grandkids - ages 11, 9 and 8 - found it fascinating as did we. Our first visit tho we have lived in season in Naples for years. Highly recommend it.

This exhibit was fascinating! Given the local vegetation’s ability to reclaim anything it was stunning to see any archaeological evidence of earlier people!

Key Marco Cat (its replicas) & the masks are interesting. Factoid that surprises me... the Calusa fled to Cuba in the late 1700’s to escape encroachment by other tribes/slavery.

Very informative and learned a lot of cool things about the area. I highly suggest visiting it if you find yourself in Marco. It's pretty small but a good way to kill 45 minutes if you want to learn a lot about the area.

We are museum people and one cloudy morning we started our day here
We were greeted by knowledgeable docents. Most are transplants to FL, but they speak as though they have been there forever

Plenty of well-displayed artifacts, timelines and narratives enlightening the visitor about native peoples, early settlers and particularly development over the past hundred years. Especially enjoyed the short film covering the same, as we were curious about how the extensive development of Marco Island came to be in the past 50 years. Content is suitable for a visitor choosing to spend 30 minutes, or one who wishes to dig much deeper. Impressive for a relatively small facility!

We were biking through the island and took a nice break here at the museum. We really enjoy reading about the history of the areas we visit. The museum offers a rich look at the history of the island including the aboriginals who used to live there and their lifestyle. It also went through the development of the island to become a tourist destination and then the environmental considerations of the affect on the ecology of the area without becoming overly political. We're glad we went to understand the history of the island.

This is a fabulous museum that really explains the history of the area. Everything from prehistoric to the development of modern day Marco.

The Historical Museum is a must visit when on Marco Island. It give you a wonderful overview of the history of the island from its earliest settlers to the real estate boom.

Very interesting and well presented. A great way of understanding the history of Marco. Its free, but please make a donation, as the running costs must be high. Staff are all really helpful, friendly and happy to spend time passing on their wealth of knowledge.

This was our first time visiting this museum. We were pleasantly surprised by it's floor space and quality of the exhibits. The history of Marco Island included a 25 minute informative movie and the room depicting the early settlers, mainly the Calusa Indians, was so interesting.
A trip to this museum is definitely worthwhile.

What a great find. The weather was a bit chilly so we decided to visit Museum and were pleasantly surprised by the displays and the history of Marco Island. Take your time and soak in all the history and displays. Would recommend the museum to anyone. They also have a gift shop that you can walk through and find your own little treasures.

Well organized display of history and surprise about the cat they have and were able to see the exhibit . So much history!

Read the reviews on here and decided to visit with three generations of family. It’s well worth the visit! Great museum with interesting history And interactive exhibits of the Marco/Naples area. Admission is free but donations accepted. Well worth a visit for people of all ages.

Toured the Marco Island Historical Museum on the last day of a 30-day visit to the island. Loved the history associated with Marco Island and would have benefited from knowing how many sites are historically significant. Enthusiastic staff provide information on admission and remind visitors to visit "not-to-miss" exhibits. Was fortunate to visit when the Marco "Cat" was on display--love the history behind this archeological find! Lots of educational information on the Calusa Indians, local artwork and culture--a great place for families to visit.

Very interesting and educational, even my husband, who normally won’t go into a museum, enjoyed it. Learning about the indigenous people of the island was particularly fascinating and I also enjoyed the section on the 1960s/70s when the residential aspect of the island was being developed. The fact that it was free was a bonus but we were happy to make a donation as it’s a very worthwhile place to visit.

so much history of the island, a must stop while on Marco Island and its free, but please leave a donation to keep it running! Staff was great and very knowledgable

This was so informative on everything about Marco Island. It is so well done taking you through thousand of years to the present. The exhibits are excellent and there is a short film discribing how the Island was developed. Well worth a visit!

I liked the art works and artifacts. There was a lot to see and read about. Lots of good information and the movie was great.

We were camping at Collier-Seminole State Park for the weekend with our kids and decided to visit this place while in the area (from Oldsmar). We are SO glad we found this hidden gem of a museum. The displays were incredibly well put together and informative. There were a few interactive displays for kids and/or adults and the staff were all extremely friendly. The security guard gentleman even helped our kids play the touch screen excavation exhibit and they loved it. We still can't believe this place was free! We will definitely recommend to others!

Great insight into Marco Island history. Very well researched and put together. A lot of reading coupled with authentic and replica artifacts from Cushing's dig. Although I'm from Illinois, I'm a bit ashamed I didn't know this nugget of North American history...but thanks to the Marco Island Historical Museum, now I do! Highly recommend for a slower/rainy day on the island! Staff were lovely and incredibly welcoming.

Extremely interesting and educational. Tons of history and information nicely displayed in a small yet well thought museum

I volunteer at the gift shop. The museum has morphed into a first class educational experience. Great place to bring children. Make sure you plan at least 1 hour to tour the attractions. This Fall the Marco Island Cat and other Calusa artifacts will be on lend from the Smithsonian and the University of Pennsylvania. After you tour the museum, be sure to stop by and say hello to the Gift Shop Lady and fill a basket with unique gifts and souvenirs, most of them by local artists, authors , jewelers and photographers. You must check the event calendar as well. There are lectures held several times a month during season.

Much more extensive than we expected and very well done. People at reception gave us a great overview explanation and a free poster of the Native American Marco Island Cat artifact that was excavated on the island. A nice, diverse exhibit that included one large area for local artists, one for the Native American heritage of the island, one for pioneer heritage, and one for modern times and the planned development of the island in the 1960s. Quite interesting and informative. We loved it and would highly recommend. And it's free! We left a donation in the box on the way out.

Love to go here and learn about Florida history. Love all of the displays and stories of the Native Americans who were here first,
Great place to take the kids and get out of the sun!

We suggested a visit to other couples and they enjoyed it immensely. The visit featured "The Marco Cat" and other new exhibits which were all interesting.

You will not want to miss this little gem on Marco Island. Beautifully done with the layout and exhibits. So interesting to learn the rich history and archaeology of Marco Island. So unexpected and glad we found this place. My fifteen-year-old grandson enjoyed it too. There was no entrance fee when we visited but donations are accepted. Highly recommend this museum.

I always like to learn a little local history about places I visit and spending an hour or two at this museum on Marco Island was enjoyable and educational. There is a $5 suggested donation for admission. There is a section detailing the history of the early Indians along with artifacts, and then stories of the early settlers through the development of the island. Very interesting reading; we visited for almost two hours because I read Everything.......most folks would probably be good with a bit less time. The gift shop was small but nice to browse through, and the two employees (volunteers?) were pleasant and knowledgeable.

There is a permanent exhibition of the native americans who lived on the island prior to the Spanish arrival. Also a current exhibition on the history of the development of the island to its present form.

Small package, huge punch and one of the best Native American presentations and education! Has a great coloring station for kids if you need to take your time

It was a nice find. Very interesting history of how Marco Island came to be. There’s no fee to go through the museum, however donations are what keeps the lights on.

Friends who winter in Marco Island took us to visit this museum on a rainy day. I found it interesting to learn about many of the hisorical facts of the development of Marco Island and the people behind the development. There was also information about hurricanes that passed over and near Marco Island.

This is a great place for a cooler, rainy day. I learned lots about how/why Marco Island was/is the way it is. Great place for kids too.

Who what a great time! It was Free admission, but we made a donation. It was the perfect size and so interesting. Everyone there was so helpful and nice. Watch the movie - it was full of so much info!

Well worth the visit great history of the Island great for the whole family. Nicely priced local jewelry in the shop

Great museum, well laid out and informative. We spent about 2+ hours, interesting overview of the history of Marco Island from Native settlers through modern development.

This museaum is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the history of the area from the first tribes to arrive to the development of the isalnd during the 60's and 70's. The staff was very helpful.

We read about this place yesterday and had to stop. The museum is very nice and there were only about ten other people in there. We gave a donation, of course, and they handed us some sweet note cards. The Marco cat is there right now, which I never heard of until yesterday. Lots of great archeological finds and stories!

Great place to go on a rainy or cloudy day on Marco Island. This Museum is extremely well done. Great artifacts on display with well written historical backgrounder the island and surrounding area. Very interesting and well done. The museum building and grounds are also very nice and worth seeing.

The museum is very easy to access and not far from the beach. Entrance to the museum is by donation and it after touring it you may want to give more - it is that good. The history of Marco Island from a native village to present day is told by lots of artifacts and visual presentations. The museum s usually crowded in the afternoon , but a visit at any time is well worth it.

Well structured and interesting museum with much more exhibits and content than expected. Very friendly and helpful staff. The 20 minute video explained the history and background of Marco in an easy understandable way. We now appreciate Marco Island much more than before and will explore the archäeological sites in the near future. Highly recommendable.

For a small town this museum packs a lot of history from several thousand years up to today. You will miss something amazing if you bypass this place

A great place to see is the historic part of Marco Island through the Marco Island historic museum, from origin through to the development.

Lots of surprises

Not to be missed. Everything is well explained. A very informative experience !!. We learned a lot about the history and economics of Marco Island and the surrounding area.

Really cool to see and very educational I enjoyed this a lot. Nice to go with family and friends. I enjoyed since I am from Canada and we don’t have this type of thing.

This museum was very interesting! There was a lot of diversity in the exhibits, a very good variety for the whole family!

I always enjoy getting a bit of background on the places I visit. It helps me to put things into place as I travel in the area. I would see the museum as mainly catered to adults though there is a small interactive area for children. If you are into history this will be more of your cup of tea. This little gem of a museum certainly provided that!

Very nice Marco artifacts in a very nice museum. The Key Marco cat is back from the smithsonian, with a guard protecting it. We enjoyed very much on a rainy day.

What an amazing experience. The museum is so well done you can easily spend several hours here learning about Marco island. Thanks for a great afternoon!!

We go to the museum a couple of times a year. Whenever someone comes to visit, we visit the museum together. The museum usually has some nice local artist work in one room and lots of information and displays on Marco Island history. And now the famous Marco Cat is back for viewing.

What a great place to learn about the Island & how it all came to be. No charge, but they'd appreciate donations.

It was a rainy afternoon when we visited the Marco Island Historical Museum. We were surprised at the variety of interesting things there were for us to see. There were exhibits on the island’s Native Americans, the island’s historical clamming factory, the history of the island’s development as a residential and resort area and about its archaeological history. It was close enough to our Marriott resort hotel (and many others) that a second visit would not be unreasonable.
Popoo

You must see this amazing museum! They have a wonderful wooden cat originally found on Marco Island in
The 1800’s that is usually in The Smithsonian!
Gift shop has great items at all price ranges! No cost to enter but we gave a donation well worth it!

The museum layout is refreshingly easy to navigate and easily maintains your interest for the whole visit. Each individual exhibition is comprehensive and full of interesting images and information. The staff were extremely informative and friendly, we would not hesitate to return.

We visited it again and were pleased by quality of information, by display, by sophistication. We especially decided to visit again that see our previous Marco Cat and all the Calusa and Munsa Indians masks which came home (to Marco Island) from other museums. Love love this museum, love the garden with flowers and trees guide. A wild coffee bush which Calusa Indians used is amazing. Marco Island has a lot of treasures, and the Museum itself is one of them. Highly recommend.

What a gem! Great presentation of history of this area. Thrilled to see the Marco Cat! Definitely worth the time.

Fascinating museum. Loved it. Take time to watch the video. Amazing old and recent history. Nice and cool too!

I visit the museum every summer while in Marco Island. And everyone visiting the island should stop by and learn more about the history of the island. Amazing experience.

Good museum for finding out about the local history and the Native American Indians that lived here. Cute little gift shop. While we were here there was an ongoing art gallery in the first hall we visited. Looked like all the artwork was for sale. I enjoyed reading and seeing photos of the early settlers of Marco Island and the artifacts that were on display. On loan from the Smithsonian were the Marco Cat carved sculpture as well as carved masks. However, they were very difficult to see in any detail as the lighting behind the glass enclosures was very dim. Enjoyed my visit overall though.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Great Family Spot!
We had such a great time at the Marco Island Historical Museum! It’s beautifully done and full of fascinating history about the island and the Calusa people. The best part? They gave our son, Isaac, a backpack with learning materials just for kids—it made the experience fun and interactive for him. The staff was so kind, and the museum is free (donations welcome!). A perfect stop for families visiting Marco Island!

Friends and I visited the museum after a morning at the beach. The exhibits make it easy to take in as much or as little as you wish. There's a video as well as displays about the earliest inhabitants and their artwork, the families who built the modern day community, etc. And, there's a gift shop for souvenirs. Very interesting!

The Marco Island museum is excellent, many interesting pictures and displays of the founding of the Island. The admission is free, they ask for donations, so be generous when you visit.

The exhibits were amazing! It was immersive, informative, and very entertaining! It was so fun to see the Marco cat! We would love to come back!

Great little museum, I would recommend for a historical view of Marco Island. Lots of artifacts and info.

I've visited many of the top museums in the U.S. and this Marco Island Museum rates just as good as some of the best! The layout and flow offers space for those that want to linger at displays and others that are ready to move to the next one. We visited when the famous Marco Cat was there on loan. What a bonus! The displays start with the native Indians inhabiting Marco and move through the centuries with vivid displays and realistic representations of life on the island. There are many artifacts as well as video story telling sections. The museum ends with the modern development of Marco Island as it is today. It is a trip through time that is well worth the visit! If you are visiting Marco Island or even in SWFL, make the journey to visit this museum!

Provided a good bit of knowledge on the history of the island. Well worth a couple of hours. Staff were friendly and helpful.

It’s the best museum in the area, as good as museums in DC and Baltimore where I am from. They have a revolving exhibit so something new whenever you show up and two standing exhibits on the history of Marco Island with some incredible art illustrating Calusa spirituality, text on the battle over Marco Island between developers and environmentalists, a wooden skiff built by a pioneer settler, and history of an iconic cruise boat. Best bit the outside of the museum is an art gallery as well. So you can enjoy the museum even when the doors are closed!

We enjoyed our visit to the historical museum while visiting the island. The museum offers rooms with changing exhibits (currently photographs from a local dolphin research captain) as well as the permanent exhibits. The permanent rooms include great examples of historic Marco life from the Calusa indians to the Collier family who founded the current settlement that became the Marco Island we know today. There is a nice room with life sized examples of the native american dwellings, clothing, etc. The museum can be navigated in under an hour including a movie that runs on the 1/2 hour detailing the history in photographs. Overall, it's a lovely little museum, staffed by lovely folks who greet visitors warmly.

We expected that this local historical museum would be a one or two-room affair, but were delighted to discover the opposite--a sophisticated, large museum with a thorough approach to Marco Island history, from the Native Americans to modern development. It was absolutely fascinating and laid out very well, with lots of visuals. Imagine--no electricity on the island until 1965! There was even a room with Marco Island paintings and, to our surprise, no admission charge--but donations gratefully accepted and given. Don't miss this museum. It is well worth your time!

Loved gaining information on Marco island and the volunteer staff were very friendly. The art work on the outside of the building is really worth taking your time to look at.

Who knew that Marco Island is so rich in history! We gathered a wealth of information at this interesting little museum, from facts (and artifacts!) of the island's native Calusa inhabitants and early European settlers, to massive commercial development beginning in the 1960's. Life-size displays capture the interest of even small children, while older history buffs may enjoy learning trivia from centuries past and watching 1960's advertising on the vintage Quasar TV. Admission is free, but you'll want to make a donation to help ensure this museum thrives for future generations.

Anyone who is interested in Marco Island should visit this very informative museum. The people who work there were incredibly helpful and they obviously love this Island and it’s rich history.

It's a great place to learn about the history of Marco Island.
The museum is filled with so many incredible artifacts and the staff goes
out of their way to to help and to make your experience the best possible.

We found this to be a great place to learn about Marco Island. The exhibits were interesting and the video was very informative.

Numerous artist's creations are on display on the exterior welcoming you to the museum. The paintings portray the interesting and colorful history of the area. Inside you are greeted by a volunteer who is able to give you information on Marco Island. Numerous artifacts are displayed as is life-sized replicas of the Indians that made Marco island their community and home. This museum was well worth the time spent and offers insight into what built community.

All the ladies were really kind and provide a lot of information before we started the museum visit. Worth visiting in a cloudy day!

What a beautiful and well-done museum! And it's free...but please make a donation! Staff was so helpful, and the exhibits are very informative about the full history of this island. Who knew that there were inhabitants here at the same time the pyramids were being built??
So worth the visit! I strongly recommend.

This is a great spot to learn some history about Marco and to visit the Marco Cat! The staff is really helpful and pleasant.

The Marco Island Historical society is an interesting, interactive, easy to maneuver museum. I learned so much about Marco Island. It is clean and cool. Worth taking an hour or two to visit.

We stopped in recently on our trip to Marco Island. Well done with photos, displays, exhibits and videos on the progression of Marco Island from the early history from 5,000 years ago with the native American's to the present development. The staff was super friendly and answered willingly our questions that we asked. A must do stop when in the area if you are interested in history.

The museum was very interesting. If you like history you will enjoy this. It is about how the island got it start. It takes about an hour depending on how long you want to browse. Time well spent and cost is free.

Outstanding dioramas of the native people on the island and following the development into the place we see now. It was an excellent museum and planned well for a good flow. Only stopped to see the cat and the masks on display and realized it was all first class! Thanks for keeping history alive!

Would definitely recommend that any visitors to Marco Island check out this little gem of a museum. Very interesting displays and writeups of the history of the area.

Donation fee entrance. Building is only 8 years old. Located in and near a beautiful residential area. Beautiful artifacts and history of MI! Interesting artifacts on loan from other museums. The Calusa cat will be coming this November 2018 for 2 1/2 years from the Smithsonian in its airtight sealed container! Interactive centers. Did you know that Elkcam is named after one of the developers who purchased the are from Colliers, backwards? (Mackle) Honestly, learned a lot from the land, archaeology of the area, the Calusa Indians that lived here, and the derivative of many names we see around town, and many more. Great historical video played every half hour. End your museum tour with a room of a depiction Calusa Indian civilization life. Gift shoppe upon exiting, fairly priced. Bought s hand made bag. I was told a retired art teacher from the Naples public school make them by hand. You have to come visit the Museum. Support the Marco Island Historical Society.

The story of this Island is worth knowing. Not boring at all! You have to come and learn why you're here! This Island has an interesting background and history to tell. You'll appreciate your visit soooo much more. This is a contemporary style museum with excellent displays and artifacts. Also, has nice gift shop. The best part about it, is it's free to the public. You are encouraged to make a donation of at least 5 bucks. It's well worth it! Take at least 2 hours to absorb all the different levels of time each stage of this island has gone through.

Superb museum offering more than just a fantastic pre-Columbian cat. I especially enjoyed the 1960s-era exhibit about the Mackle company which developed the Island and it’s battle with environmentalists. Excellent video. Only thing missing is a museum cafe.

So many interesting facts about Marco Island and they had a lot for the kids to look at and do great place to take a break out of the heat and learn some history

Visitors to Marco Island are there for the sun and the beach, but don't make the mistake of missing out on a visit to the Marco Island Historical Museum. You'll learn the history of the island from the natives who lived there centuries ago to how the island was developed.

I had an opportunity to visit during an open house and will be bringing people back on my next trip. There is a lot of history about the island which really didn't really become a destination until the sixties.

I visited the museum with my wife and her family. The museum was much more than I expected. It is very informative, and the exhibits are presented and very defining. The written explanations as to each exhibit are easily read. I will make several more visits just to absorb all that is presented.

We found this museum wonderful It has the history of Marco Island .We wish we would have more time there. We will go back when we go back to Marco Island. Wonderful Indian history .Go to Marco Island and visit the Museum

This is a great place to learn about Marco Island-we only went to kill time on a rainy afternoon and instead spent 4 hours there. The exhibits were good and educational and enough to keep the kids interested. We were able to take pictures on the grounds.Nice people and nice museum.

The basic historical aspect is amazing
There are often extra special exhibits on golf and other historical figures
Highly recommend.
Martha Raak

Very interesting history about Marco Island and the native Caluso and Muspa Indians. The Marco cat is so unique and an interesting piece of Marco Island history. The gift shop had a number of reasonably priced items, some from local artisans. The glass sculptures were especially reasonable in price, and make for great souvenirs. The museum is free. Great activity for when you need a break from the mid-day sun or if it rains.

Great museum with super helpful staff! Enjoyed all of the exhibits and was impressed with all of the artwork and Information!

The history of Marco Island is very well documented in this museum. The displays of the Archaic Indians, Calusa Indians, the pioneers, the Colliers, the Mackle brothers explained the history, geography, the housing of Marco Island and are so well done. The volunteers and staff are very friendly and informative. The gardens were awarded the 2017 garden award, and there is a pamphlet that explains the garden's contents. I hope to return in the future when the museum gets its Marco Cat back from the Smithsonian.

Very much enjoyed our visit here. The "front desk" receptionists were very sharing of information and excited about the history of the island. The gift shop volunteers were also very friendly and informative. Also enjoyed speaking with the curator of the museum. Awesome place. Thank you!

As with the other Collier County Museum that we visited in Naples FL two days ago, this museum makes you dive into the short but roller coaster history of this peace of land now commonly known as Marco Island. A special tribute is given to the Indian population that lived here for over a thousand years before. Some history about the development of the hotel business is also exhibited.

Hope everyone that goes there supports this wonderful history of Marco Island. We are truly lucky to have it.

First time visiting this museum free to enter just give a donation, you get so much information from the staff. We really enjoyed our visit and would recommend this to anyone as ther is something for family and children .

We've been coming to Marco for over 20 years, but have never known the history of the island. On a cold and rainy day in January, we decided to visit the museum, and we're definitely glad we did. It was very informative and we learned a lot about the first people that inhabited the island, the pioneer age, and how Marco became the developed island it is now. It is a great rainy day activity and a wonderful exhibit if someone is looking to learn more about Marco's history.

Museum is well put together with a lot of great history about the Island. I highly recommend visiting this charming museum.

I have been coming down to SW Florida, Naples, for 46 consecutive years. My mother used to work at the old Marco Beach Hotel in the mid to late 1970’s. I had never been to this museum, but really enjoyed it! Worth a visit for sure !

WE were looking for an activity for part of our first day in the area and were delighted we chose to tour this museum. It is newly created near the downtown Marco Island area and is both lovely as a building and comprehensive in its collection. The enthusiastic staff, accepting only donations for entry, greeted us with information about the changing exhibition of local art, a beautiful exhibition, which begins the tour of the museum. The history continues with displays from prehistoric Florida through the native tribes with documentation from archaeological digs in the area. Replicas of the finds as well as pictures of the actual objects give a well-rounded feel for the digs. There is even a touch screen where you can "dig" for various objects which were found!" The exhibit continues with larger than life representation of everyday native life. Following the in depth look at native history is a film about the Collier family who were the initial "discoverers" of the area in more modern times. They and other families who brought industry and tourism to the area are featured in the final room. Housed there is the clam dredge which revolutionized the clamming industry and lead to the canning industry there. In pictures and words you glimpse the life in those times. We spent at least two hours there and I know I could've read more and learned more. It was a wonderful find!

What a lovely museum! Beautiful self directed museum with history, artifacts, dioramas and many photos. Staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. Donations accepted for entry. History of the island from pre-historic to current times. Taking a photo with the Marco Cat in the garden was fun. Lovely way to spend a few hours off the beach.

This gem on Marco keeps getting better and better. The exhibits are outstanding and I learn something new every time I visit.
I had been anxiously awaiting to return to see the Key Marco Cat in person with my mom after we had seen the replica on display several years ago. The museum has had a total overhaul and the displays are gorgeous. You walk through a timeline of the Calusia Indians to the mass development in the 1960s/70s. Many interesting artifacts on display from pottery shards and weapons of the original inhabitants to glass bottles from the clam industry to funky 50s kitch. Perfect way to gain some local knowledge, cool off on a hot day or stay dry on a rainy one. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED activity when visiting. Cute little gift shop. The museum takes donations for the visit.

This is a very beautiful and well kept museum with very friendly staff, including the security personnel!Your time here is well rewarded. Make sure to tour the outside grounds too. They are also quite beautiful. Inside, you will be ale to immerse yourself in the cultural and historical events of Marco Island. I fell in love with the 'Marco Cat' and its history. (this is the real original one which had been on loan).It closely resembles the endangered Florida Panther. And you can get a copy of it at the well appointed gift shop! Do your self a favor and visit -at least once! You'll be back, though.

Sincerely enjoyed learning about the history of the area and the wonderful displays. Beautiful building and great landscaping. Cool and very clean inside. Chairs to sit on inside.
Also saw a great Motown concert there.

We were looking for something to do and local history always interested us. The exhibits were very well displayed and super informative. Even though it is on a smaller scale there is a lot to read and look at and we spent around two hours here. The gift shop has a variety of things for sale from books to jewelry. The volunteers were all very nice and the docent was a wealth of information. Younger children may find it boring but even a short visit is ok since it's free.

we totally enjoyed our day at this nice little museum. The volunteers are so sweet!! The display on loan from the Smithsonian is very interesting. The old photos and data are really fantastic.... take time to read it all and find out the total history of this interesting island.

Well worth the visit. It is Free but we left a $5.00 donation each. A small museum with a lot of bang! Impressive presentation on The Mackle Bros and development of Marco Island. Early history Barfield family, Mr. Collier and the Pineapple Plantation which once stood on Marco is well worth the tour. The Marco Cat is about four inches tall and well preserved it is there! On loan from The Smithsonian. Early Indians and how they survived is eye opening. A quick hour / hour and a half and you have a very good prospective of The Island Marco.

Interesting displays on the history of the island, starting with early arrivals and continuing through the present day. I particularly enjoyed the displays of old pictures and the artifacts. The people who work here are really nice and helpful and seem well read on the history of the island.

Plenty of parking. Small museum with a great selection of exhibits and information. No visitor or resident should miss this. We come annually to check out the new exhibits. Nice little gift shop- but pricey.

Great free local museum. 4 exhibits- the first is an interactive what the visitor likes about Marco. The second is a prehistoric and very early history of the land and its people with artifacts, art and life sized recreations. The third is an echo hi it on the white pioneers who settled on Marco. The last exhibit shows the movers and shakers who engineered the modern transformation of the island. Tour takes an hour or two. Perfect for the afternoon rain

The exhibits were beautiful and so informative. Will definitely be returning. We learned so much and the staff was incredible!

Very interesting history of the island. From primitive Indians to modern development. The artifacts are amazing! The movie about the island’s development was very interesting. A nice break from the beach.

Spend two hours here and you will be so happy! Fun, informative, entertaining! I would also recommend the lectures the museum hosts:)

We came away promising ourselves to come back again as this small museum was full of things to see. So much more than we expected! Loved hearing about the history of Marco's development while watching a 27 minute film. Worth the visit for young and not so young!

What a great museum! It’s very well organized and very educational! It’s a great museum for the whole family. And it’s free to everyone!

As Island residents, we learned a lot about the Island. Definitely a must se3e for visitors and residents alike!!

I went when it first opened. I have been back several times with friends, and this time with my car group. I found that they continue to improve this museum with interesting additions and changes. You have to see the Cat :)

So proud of our wonderful museum. Changing art exhibits. Recently artist Paul Arsenault introduced his exhibit and described his voyage to FL & the history of many of the vanishing sites in our area.

Our new found discovery of the Marco Island Historical Museum has added a cherished place for us to revisit every time we return to Marco Is. We can't wait to introduce our grandchildren to the wonderful and informative displays. You can also pick up some beautiful local art, jewelry and Marco memorabilia in their gift shop. Entry fee is just a recommended donation.

We rented a house nearby and just stopped while taking a walk in to see what the museum was like. So interesting to know the history of the island, especially how it was developed in the 1960's from basically swampland to a thriving community. There is an excellent video that covers the history and many exhibits including information on the early settlers and the Native Americans who first inhabited the island. We are so glad we stopped in.

We needed something for our last stormy morning on Marco Island. My 10 and 4 year-old loved the displays, which included a few interactive and interesting things. We loved the chronological history as we progressed through the exhibits to the wonderful gift shop at the end which featured reasonably priced items from local artisans. Our favorite was the Marco Cat, which after glancing at their Facebook page even wore eclipse glasses during the big event here earlier in the week!
All of the people were so nice and answered our questions - we even drove past some of the original Mackle built homes on our way out of town!

Excellently curated small museum with copious content on Marco Island, including the sensational Marco Cat and other Muspa/Caloosa history and artifacts, pioneer history and then the Mackle brothers development of the island.

Our group decided to visit Marco Island Historical Museum on one of our many rainy afternoons that we spent in Marco Island. We had several teenagers with us, and they enjoyed learning all about the history of Marco Island. We had two toddlers and one 8 year old with us, and they all seemed to enjoy it as well. I enjoyed the art exhibit at the beginning of the museum tour and my husband enjoyed all the historical exhibits about Marco Island.

We try and visit a few local museums while on vacation and the weather just isn't cooperating for being outside. Marco Island Historical Museum has a lot of interesting information, it's well laid out, no reason to hurry though and the staff was happy to answer any questions we asked.

I had a day in Marco Island to explore. I went on Trip Advisor and read the comments and decided to go.
The museum is beautifully thought out. Give yourself an hour to enjoy!

This is a must do on Marco Island. There is a lot of history on that island. It hasn't always been a tropical resort, and this museum is great at teaching it. This was a great learning experience!

The museum has lots of information on Island and surrounding area. They have a gift shop, facilities, and snack area.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. We would say this is probably the best one we have ever been to. All the displays are neat and well-documented. We were fortunate to be able to see the Marco cat, it is on display for another month yet. This is a must-see location.

This museum has a great presentation of the history and development of Marco Island. The diorama's and archeological presentations were top notch. The flow through the displays was good, although sometimes lacking clarity in where to next.

I didn't know what to expect when I traveled from Tampa to Marco Island, specifically to visit this museum. I'd wanted to go because of their reputation on presenting information on Calusa artifacts. Well, yes, that's there and is AMAZING by itself, but this small, well curated, new museum is a treasure trove of history relating to the area. Great job, folks. Well worth the trip!

We had known about the museum for several years but never visited (it opened in 2007). It's an amazing education on the beginnings of Marco Island, done extremely well. Be sure to take the time to watch the video. We will visit again!

Great little historical museum, artfully designed and interesting history of Marco Island. This exhibit is some of the beautiful artifacts dug from the muck at Caxambas pass by Frank Cushing and Wells Sawyer. Artifacts made by the Calusa Indians 2000 years ago discovered in late 1800’s, take to Smithsonian and U of Penn Archaeological Dept that originally sponsored the dig.
Key Marco Cat has been said to be the most significant PreColumbian artifact ever found in North America. It is free to public, but please donate! It costs Collier County half a million to rebuild the museum and provide the air controlled environment for these treasures. This exhibit has been planned for over 20 years. Welcome home, Kitty!

A must see when visiting Marco Island.

A great overview of past history and archeological finds to the development in the 60s and 70s to modern day Marco Island.

Wonderful surprise visiting this museum! We thoroughly enjoyed it. History of the island (including modern history) and artifacts. We’ll definitely go back and take more friends.

This is truly a great museum; interesting exhibits on local history, well done. Also great art exhibits which are updated.,Very good audio visual presentations. The gift shop is well stocked with thoughtful gifts and souvenirs,

I have visited the museum 3 times in 4 yrs. The museum is 5 Star, the people who planned, developed and built the museum must be congratulated. Every time I visit I learn something new.

This was my second visit in two years to the museum. Last year when I went they had only the replica. I saw the real Marco Island Cat and it was amazing. The piece is dated from 500-1500AD and there it is in this amazing little museum!

They have an impressive collection from that dig in 1898 or around there. But they also provide a great history of the Calusa people who were here long before the European explorers. And in fact, the Calusa people were responsible for the death of Ponce de Leon. All that is well established and displayed in this amazing museum.

Perhaps the icing on the cake is the exhibit about the developers from Daytona who found Marco Island and made it a resort in the late 1960s. They went through so much heartache to get the canals built to drain the water and build the houses and hotels. It is a true testament to engineering marvels.

If you have any interest or curiosity in history or Marco Island, please do not miss a visit to this museum!

The museum is free but they request a $5.00 donation. For that you get a nice pack of several note cards. The first room that is open is an art gallery of local artists with their works for sale. They are mostly well done (my judgement). The next room is a large room with a large display of the history of the Calusa Indians (predecessors of the Seminole).
Part of that display is the artifacts that they found from the times that they lived on Marco. There's also an interactive screen where you can "dig" for artifacts.
The next room is the history of Marco Island from the beginning of the 20th century including a 30 minute film that is very informative about how the developers carved out all of the canals so that everyone had a waterfront house that wanted one.
It was extremely interesting.

On a hot day or rainy day, a trip to this museum is a must. The displays are visually pleasing impart information regarding the original habitants of the island and the history behind its development. With the love and tenacity of the residents of Marco Island, they have been able to preserve a unique piece of history.
While the Marco Cat is on loan to its original location, i.e. Marco Island, the story behind its discovery and its importance in relationship to other artifacts uncovered is conveyed through colorful displays and an interactive display.

The admittance if free, but a $5.00 donation is suggested. it is worth the hour or two you will spend there.

Our family (me, my husband, kids age 17, 12, and 11) spent about 10 days in Marco Island in November 2021 and had wanted to visit the museum. Our rental home had a book about Marco with historical information and I became a little obsessed with trying to learn everything I could about this beautiful island. Our middle child also enjoys going to local museums when we are traveling. First, the museum is much larger than I expected in the sense of space and information. The displays, artifacts, articles, and life like settings are so well done and it was easy to see the changes of the island through history. The gift shop had a lot of typical gift shop items (mugs, ornaments, stuffed animals, etc.) in additional to locally made jewelry, informational books about the island and island settlers (I picked up a book about the Olds family as we were visiting from PA and they had lived in the Philadelphia area prior to going to Marco), and other items.

The museum is free to visitors with a donation box at the entrance.

Had we not been on our way to meet other family members at the beach, we could have easily spent more time in the museum. I think it was worth the visit with our without kids!

We were greeted with a quick explanation on how the museum worked and went to do the rounds. What a great place this is! There is something for everyone, kids have interactive displays to enjoy and for the grownups there are many artifacts, stories and a lovely film that give the history of Marco. We will take all our guests here in the future.
Oh - and it's FREE.

It is small but informational. Not a lot to work with since the island has not been inhabited for long. Everyone friendly and well organized. Very friendly people working there.

No entry fee but donations accepted. Nice overview of the island from the earliest people, thru European settlement, on to development of the island in mid-1900's. Beautiful grounds, would suggest just sitting a moment and enjoying the calm.

This was by far the best part of my trip. The staff and the museum itself was amazing. I felt like a little kid learning the history of Marco Island.

I am glad we went to the museum while we were staying on the island. Learned a lot about this great place. Had a very nice gift shop!

A must see place! This beautiful museum offers a concise and informative overview of the island history, archeology and nature. The Key Marco cat and many other native indian's artifacts are just breathtaking!

We love the Marco Island Historical Museum. It improves each and every year and offers a terrific history of the island. Engaging for families of all ages. We hope the Marco Cat finds it's permanent home at the museum!