Mound House property taking shape for opening
The property project that houses Estero Island’s oldest standing structure is moving forward with sights on becoming a fully functional and significant archaeological and historic site by summer’s end.
The Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board has been working double time to assist Town of Fort Myers Beach Museum Director Alison Giesen in preparatory work to that end at Mound House. The committee met last Thursday to review graphic panels, plant sign locations, exterior interpretative signage and make edits on the copy of the panels for the museum exhibits.
Town-contracted firm SEARCH, which is doing work on their designing, fabricating and installing of the museum exhibits, is expected to be installing plant identification signs, beginning Thursday, April 9. There are 21 signs (8 inches by 10 inches, 18 inches in height) at proposed locations.
“The goal is to create as much ADA accessibility to those plants as we can,” said Giesen.
The panel names for the museum exhibits include Ancient People, Prehistoric Florida, Rise of the Calusa, Calusa Culture, Calusa Culture Religion, Nature’s Toolbox, Early Settlers, European Encounters, Settlers on the Shell, Cuban Fishing Ranchos, Changes to the Mound, Science on the Mound, The Last Residents, Saving Our Site and Mound House: A Century of Change.
On the Saving Our Site panel, there is language that states that a core group of island residents and the Town worked together to save the site from condominium development after the death of the last Mound House resident, Florence Long. On the Century of Change panel, cited development eras include The Tudor Style Kitchen of 1906 to Bungalow By The Banyan of 1909 to Bayview Lodge of 1921 to The James Foundation of 1947 to The Long Period of 1952.
Fowler Construction has been building an observation pier for the past two months and has plans to complete the construction within the next two weeks. The roughly 2,500 square foot structure has a curved shape that does not extend too far out into Estero Bay.
Other items of discussion included potential items to be sold at the museum store, updates on an indoor kiosk, a reduction of proposed exterior interpretative signage from 19 to six signs and off-site parking.
Mayor Anita Cereceda, the Council liaison to CELCAB, reported that the Town Community Development Department is looking to change the zoning at the property at 216 Connecticut St. from commercial planned development to community facilities zoning. Council approval during a public hearing would be needed for the proposed action at that parcel.
“That could satisfy a big concern of the neighborhood,” Cereceda said. “It would allow us to do what we need to do without the commercial element to it.”
The Mound House Welcome Sign is expected to be placed by the first entrance parking lot instead of the main gate to deter people from driving into the property. Donor signage may be placed at the same location but on the egress side to inform people of main contributors.
A soft opening for the Mound House is being planned sometime this summer, while a VIP grand opening evening reception is expected in the fall.
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.
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.
Go to www.moundhouse.org to learn more.