CELCAB sets Mound House grand opening date
A tentative date has been set for the official opening of a Beach property that has been recognized as a significant archaeological and historic site by the State of Florida.
The Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board unanimously approved to hold the grand opening of the Mound House in November. The VIP reception is slated to be an evening occasion on Friday, Nov. 13, and the public “party” is scheduled to occur on Saturday, Nov. 14. CELCAB will be recommending to Town Council to approve the public grand opening for that date.
Officials involved in the property have been eager to open the full property for paid visitors. The William H. Case House is close to being restored to its 1921 grandeur as a museum, the observation pier has been recently constructed and the walk-in underground shell mound exhibit and native landscape of early settlers time has been updated.
The museum experience has hopes to expand the archaeological education and further reveal 2,000 years of island life featuring Calusa Indian culture through extended tours and programs.
“After many years of archaeological work, restoration and planning, CELCAB is excited to announce it has set the date for the official Grand Opening of the Mound House for Saturday, November 14, 2015,” said CELCAB Chair Barbara Hill. “This day-long celebration -free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.- will include tours of the underground “Stories Beneath our Feet” exhibit of a Calusa Indian shell mound, botanical garden tour, as well as access to the long-awaited, newly restored Mound House. This beautifully preserved home has been converted to a historic museum offering two floors of exhibits designed to introduce visitors to the inhabitants of this site, from the Calusa Indians to the Long family. Interpretive exhibit panels, kayak tours and the new observation pier extending over Matanzas pass all provide valuable insight into the area’s fragile ecosystem.”
Mound House committee members and staff also discussed lifetime memberships and reviewed the new fee schedule and hours of operation that were established by Beach Council in June.
During January through April, the museum will open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. During May through December, the museum will operate during the same hours but only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Museum admission fees will be $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6 to 12, while children age 5 and younger will be allowed free. Beach residents will be offered 50 percent off admission, and free admission days will be scheduled for educators.
Student rates were also discussed but have not been set in the fee schedule as of yet. The consideration is to charge students ages 18 and older $8 with proof of current college identification.
Active Council members will be allowed to enter the museum free of charge, and Town staff will be given a discount with proof of staff ID. Companions in both cases will have to pay full price.
CELCAB members will attend the Town Local Planning Agency meeting on Aug. 11, at 9 a.m. The issue of rezoning the unused Town-owned lot at 216 Connecticut St. will be discussed during a hearing. Community Development Department officials proposed the change in zoning from the current Residential Conservation Zoning to Community Facilities Zoning.
Giesen and Dan Hughes, current treasurer of the Friends of the Mound House and former Beach mayor, will make presentations on the importance of the need for parking at that site during the agenda item.
The 216 Connecticut St. parcel, a lot that was purchased with intent for Mound House additional parking, has been stated to potentially hold anywhere between 27-40 parked vehicles, depending on landscaping.
Visitors have increased at the 451 Connecticut St. site. Total outreach for June 2015 was reported to be 222 visitors, up from 169 in June 2014. There were 147 regular tour participants in June 2015, including 39 from the Florida Humanities Tour and 30 from the History Round Table.
The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau received a tour of the property recently. Eleven staff members of the tourism marketing organization enjoyed their time. Many had never been to the site. Comments ranged from “seeing the potential” to “how beautiful and peaceful” and “fascinated about history.”
Donations continue to pour in this fiscal year, and a record is expected to be broken. So far, with three months to go, $13,694 has been collected. Compare that with $7,892 in FY 2014, $7,403 in FY 2013, current high $14,996 in FY 2012 and $2,563 in FY 2011.
It was reported that the point-of-sales system should be installed during the first week in August. The reality of Mound House fully opening is becoming a reality.
“Mound House Museum Director Alison Giesen and her staff, with wonderful support from Town staff, Council, Lee County and the State of Florida, have worked diligently to complete final touches to insure a multifaceted, fun experience for residents and visitors of all ages,” said Hill. “We hope everyone will come out to help us celebrate the public opening of Fort Myers Beach’s cultural treasure.”