Mound House director hosts cruise for cause
All aboard for a tour!
Cultural Resources Director Theresa Schober of the Town of Fort Myers Beach will be conducting a tour upon land and sea beginning at the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort at 9 a.m. on Friday, June 18. If interested in making reservations, call Captiva Cruises at 472-5300.
The “Cruise into the Past & Archaeological Tour” will feature a trip to the historic Mound House on Estero Bay where participants will visit the new underground archaeological exhibit. The sneak peak of the new exhibit will involve a rare opportunity to walk in an actual Calusa shell mound to observe its construction, its layers and to experience a cross section of 2,000 years of Southwest Florida history.
“The Stories Beneath Our Feet exhibit explores how the Calusa Indians built a cultural landscape from the ground up – using shellfish from past meals and feasts to construct elevated areas for elite members of society,” said Schober. “Built in the location of a former swimming pool, the Town has created a unique educational space from past destruction and in so doing, has added greatly to our understanding of mound building as a tradition in southwest Florida.”
Along the way, one can learn about the dynamic history and ecology of Punta Rassa, Pine Island Sound and Estero Bay. Schober and Captiva Cruises’ Environmental Educator Richard Finkel will offer stories of Ponce de Leon’s first encounters with the Calusa Indians as well as other accounts from Calusa and Spanish history.
“We’ll be giving a little education along the way of the history of the area,” said Finkel.
There may be additional boat trips in the future.
“Mound House looks forward to a fruitful partnership with Captiva Cruises to bring visitors to the site the way the Calusa would have experienced it – from the water,” said Schober. “Approximately $3.5 million has been raised to create a cultural and environmental learning center at Mound House from state and local grant sources as well as donations. Only $750,000 remains to be raised to complete this incredible program.”
The cruise is expected to have a return time of 1:30 p.m. at Punta Rassa.
Reservations are required as space is limited. Cost for this unique opportunity is $45 per person which includes a donation to the Mound House. Additional information and reservations may be obtained by calling Captiva Cruises at 472-5300.