History abounds in the city of Fort Myers. There are many wonderful things about the city of Fort Myers and the history of this great city dates back hundreds of years. Check out great historical sites, nature preserves, museums, and much more throughout the city of Fort Myers and the nearby areas.

Southwest Florida Museum of History

The Southwest Florida Museum of History is located in Fort Myers and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check out a replica “cracker” house, a 1926 La France fire pumper, 1929 Pullman private rail car, along with exhibits on Paleo Indians, the Calusa, the Seminoles, Spanish explorers and much more. Also covered are artifacts from the Fort Myers fishing and boating industries. There are temporary and permanent exhibits, making this fun for the entire family!

Museum of the Islands

Located in Bokeelia on Pine Island, the Museum of the Islands is in the former home of the first library on the island. The Museum of the Islands has many great artifacts and historical items that span the history of the island. Exhibits include a portrait of George Washington, a shell collection of over 1,700 shells, a nature collection, a doll cart, a “Pioneer Room” featuring what life looked like in Florida in the pioneer days, household artifacts and fisherman relics.

Summer hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. Admission cost is $2 for adults and $1 for children.  This is a great stop when traveling around the city of Fort Myers.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates

Located on over 21 acres of pristine land in Fort Myers, the Edison and Ford Winter Estates boast a museum and a botanical garden on the sites of the winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the gardens have thousands of varieties of plants and trees. Enjoy guided tours, a gift shop and much more. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates have something for everyone and provide a glimpse into the estates of two of the most powerful men in U.S. history!

Koreshan State Historic Site

Cyrus Reed Teed brought followers to Estero in 1894 to build the “New Jerusalem” for his new faith, Koreshanity. Teed established a colony for his followers to live in. The colony began fading after Teed´s death in 1908, and in 1961 the last four members deeded the land to the state. What remains of their once vibrant community are 11 beautiful historic structures that date from 1882-1920. Visitors today can fish, picnic, boat, and hike where Teed´s visionaries once lived. Take a self-guided tour of the settlement or a ranger-guided tour.

Fort Myers has many great historical sites, museums, attractions, and more that you and the whole family can enjoy. When interested in visiting the many great historical sites in the city of Fort Myers, let Sun Palace Vacations help you find a great spot to stay. We offer many great properties throughout the Fort Myers area and will assist you in finding a great place!

Photo Credit: Jeff Muceus / IMG_9383 / Flickr