Mound House eyes soft opening this summer
A renewed timeline has been set for the unofficial and official opening of a Beach property that has been recognized as a significant archaeological and historic site by the State of Florida.
The Fort Myers Beach Town Council provided museum director Alison Giesen direction to move forward on a soft opening for the Mound House sometime this summer, have the Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board begin polling a guest list for a planned VIP grand opening evening reception in the fall and submit a strategic plan to them in the upcoming weeks.
As of now, the observation pier is under construction and is scheduled to be completed at the end of February. The museum interior exhibit graphics will be submitted to Fossil Fabricators in New York by March 9, then exterior signage fabrication work follows.
Town-contracted firm SEARCH is doing work on their designing, fabricating and installing of the museum exhibits, while Fowler Construction is handling the observation pier.
“By then, once we get in line, we should have a real good idea of when we can have the grand opening,” said Giesen. “Fabrication can take a month to two months, depending on how busy they are. I use caution to give any timeframe prior to that.”
Giesen met with Council members during a Monday afternoon workshop. Mound House is nearing completion for the house, and the exhibits are a key component to lure visitors to the site. Two grants are currently being utilized one for restoration and exhibits and the other for completing exhibits.
When open, Mound House will be a cultural and environmental learning center celebrating Florida’s natural history within Estero Island’s oldest standing structure that sits atop an ancient Calusa Indian Mound.
Prior to fully opening as a fee-based museum, logistical matters such as additional parking, admission, programming need to be addressed.
“I want to make sure all of those things are done before the grand opening event,” said Giesen. “We are working on those right now.”
As far as parking, neighborhood residents have not warmed up to the idea of utilizing the Town-owned property at 216 Connecticut St. as a passive park/overflow parking lot with a proposed landscaping barrier/buffer there. Currently, Town officials have a lease agreement with Beach Baptist Church at the top of the street for overflow parking.
The observation pier was another tough sell, but Mound House officials secured Lee County Tourist Development Council funds via a grant to design and construct the roughly 2,500 square foot structure that has a curved shape so that it doesn’t extend very far out into the bay. Council granted the action in late October 2014 by a 3-2 vote.
Mound House was acquired with funds from Florida Communities Trust in 2000. Getting the property full opened has been a long process that has met several bumps in the road.
“In my mind, the Mound House is three years behind the time,” said Mayor Anita Cereceda. “You went from one professional person with a vision to placeholders. Mound House was not a priority. It was more of an irritation with a lot of money being spent and nothing happening.”
Now that Giesen is on board, Cereceda has seen the change in attitude and work accomplished.
“She recognizes the stress and wants from us to see it happen,” she said.
The grand opening event will involve government officials both past and present, stake holders, or anyone that has played an integral part in the process.
Plans for the interior makeup of Mound House have included a period room with historical furniture just inside the front door on the first floor. Former Mayor Dan Hughes has pledged to fully fund all costs associated with providing historical furnishings and other items required to recreate the Mound House period room. An orientation theater/multi-purpose room is being planned in the next room to the right. To the rear of the period room is the 1906 Tudor Room that would hold the gift shop.
The second floor features a Calusa room, a contemporary history room and a nonfunctional bathroom that would include a electronic photo album and, eventually, serve as a research room. The wrap-around outdoor porch will focus the attention on a story of the estuary.
Earlier last year, officials that had been known as the caretakers of the Town-owned 2.8-acre bayfront property at the end of Connecticut Street were eying an October 2014 opening. That date was now seen as premature, but the costs to make it happen have not risen.
“We are going to finish on budget,” Giesen said.
Councilman Alan Mandel suggested that Giesen go to the Lee County Tourist Development Council for marketing purposes.
“They will pay for advertising 200 miles away,” he said. “This is the time to get you plan together.”
Mound House’s pet-friendly grounds are currently open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for visitors to enjoy the wildlife and beauty of Estero Bay. A kayak launch allows goers to enjoy access to the Great Calusa Blueway Kayak Trail in Estero Bay. The site is also accessible by boat.
One can learn about 2,000 years of history through free, guided tours currently offered every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Donations are requested. Tours feature a unique underground archeological exhibit, “Stories Beneath Our Feet,” which features a 44-foot-long custom-made wall mural that was funded in parts by grants by the State, County, Town and Friends of the Mound House group. Tours begin on top of the Mound at the picnic tables. The exhibit, Private Group Tours at $5 per person may be scheduled on Thursdays by calling 765-0865, minimum of 10 people required.
Officials are eying both the upcoming soft and grand opening.
“The opening is to enhance the interpretive value of the visitor experience,” said Giesen.
Go to www.moundhouse.org to learn more.