CELCAB focuses on Mound House museum panels
Slowly but surely, the Town of Fort Myers Beach’s historic property at the end of Connecticut Street is inching towards its anticipated opening timeframe, slated for sometime in the beginning of 2015.
Recently, Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board members approved two of the three proposed designs of the panels for the kiosks to be placed in the Mound House museum during a reviewal. The text of each panel should be discussed at their next meeting on Sept. 11.
While the bathroom panel and Calusa Room design were approved, adjustments to photos for the Saving our Site and Modernizing the Mound House Panel will need to be made prior to acceptance.
The content involves two touch screen kiosks.
“The good thing about these kiosks is they are interchangeable, so it’s not going to be the same information all the time,” said acting Mound House man ager Paul Rapp. “You can update it or put new stuff up there.”
Grants and Town budget general funds are being used for the ongoing project. The financial picture includes a Museum Action Plan ($21,084.78; Florida Cultural Affairs Grant); Museum exhibits Phase 1 design ($165,636.22; Florida Cultural Affairs Grant); Museum exhibits Phase 2 fabrication ($96,863.78; general fund); Museum exhibits Phase 2 fabrication ($154,800.00; Florida Historical Commissions Grant); and Museum exhibits Phase 3 installation ($151,400.00; general fund).
Mound House will have a museum shop as well. Three interns that are working on Mound House aspects are expected to help in the marketing of the shop.
“The end goal is that when that museum opens to the public, that museum shop is going to be running like a top,” said CELCAB chairperson Barbara Hill. An EZFacility point-of-sales system will be used.
Fowler Construction has been dutifully completing the framework of the museum, much to the liking of those overseeing it.
“The house looks wonderful,” said CELCAB member Ceel Spuhler.
Last month, on Thursday, Aug. 21, Strong Vision finished the repairs on the Shell Mound Exhibit. A new water line in the Mound House was also put in that day.
Now that components are being added to the oldest structure on Fort Myers Beach, security has been installed.
Mound House Guided Tours
Learn about the history, archaeology, and environment of Fort Myers Beach from one of the Town’s knowledgeable volunteer docents. The “Plants and People Trail” is a 400-foot winding pathway of native landscaping. “Stories Beneath Our Feet” is an exhibit room within the shell mound where visitors have the opportunity to view the site’s 2,000-year archaeological history through the layers in the mound.
Tours are featured on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon through October. They start at the at the picnic tables under the big tree. Tours are free, but donations are appreciated.
The historic William H. Case house is closed for renovations.
Mound Tours are now in German
The Mound House is pleased to offer tours in German on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The tours will be given by Ellen, a new volunteer and Florida Naturalist who is originally from Germany. She is well-versed in the history of Fort Myers Beach from the time the Calusa people inhabited the island to the present. She invites you to join her.
“Ich wuerde mich freuen, sie zu sehen. (I would be delighted to see you.)” -Ellen
Paddleboard
If you have wanted to check-out paddleboarding, here’s the perfect opportunity. Every Thursday starting at 10 am, Carol Ellis, owner and operator of Fitness In Nature provides a free half-hour introductory lesson followed by an Eco-tour (price of tour is $50) of Estero Bay.
Volunteers needed
Volunteers are needed for a variety of opportunities. You are welcome to join in at our monthly volunteer meeting and/or the field trips.
Field trips to local museums, historic sites and preserves are planned on a regular basis. Both gatherings are a good time for new and potential volunteers to meet the friendly volunteer group and staff.
Stop by the Mound House office on Tuesdays or Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to see how you can help or call 765-0865 and ask for Penny Jarrett, Education Coordinator.
-information provided by the Town of Fort Myers Beach