frequently asked questions

The museum and outdoor campus are free to visit, although donations are welcome.

The Marco Island Historical Museum is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Only trained service animals that perform specific tasks for an individual with a disability are allowed into all public areas. These areas include the Museum, administration office, and auditorium. Pets and other animals are not permitted inside the buildings.

Generally, you should plan to spend from 45 to 90 minutes viewing the exhibits. However, you can easily spend longer visiting the galleries, engaging in a family-friendly activity in the Calusa Craft Corner, shopping the Museum Gift Store, and exploring our outdoor campus.

Conclude your tour of our museum exhibits with a visit to the Museum Gift Store, where all proceeds directly benefit the Marco Island Historical Society and Museum. Then step outside and enjoy the offerings of our outdoor campus, which include an outdoor exhibit, native plant walk, photo opportunities at our selfie scene mural and Key Marco Cat sculpture, and more. Consider combining your museum visit with one of our upcoming programs and events!

Our exhibited objects like to stay cool, so the temperature inside the museum is maintained at 73-74 degrees. Consider bringing a sweater or light jacket in case you get chilly.

There are over 75 restaurants in and around Marco Island. Explore nearby options:

Marco Island Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Publication
The Marco Review’s Dining Guide

Yes! Visit our Volunteer page to learn more about our current volunteering opportunities.

Our Plan Your Visit page includes our current hours of operation. The museum is closed every Sunday and Monday, but our outdoor campus is open seven days a week and offers an outdoor exhibit, native plant walk, photo opportunities and more. You can also explore our collection online 24/7.

While the Marco Island Historical Museum is open year-round, some activities and events are seasonal. On occasion, museum galleries are temporarily closed for exhibit turnover.

The Marco Island Historical Museum is fully ADA compliant and accessible to all visitors. If your group has special needs and would like assistance from staff before or during your visit, please call 239.252.1440.

Yes, free parking is available on campus and can be reached from Whiteheart Avenue and Mistletoe Court. Accessible parking spaces are located in the back, and our bike rack is located near the Mistletoe Court entrance in front of the gazebo on the right.

Yes, group tours of the Museum are available for a fee. Call 239.252.1440 for rates and availability.

Free field trips are offered at all five Collier County Museums locations, including the Marco Island Historical Museum. Explore options and book your next field trip here.

Buses should take the first right into the parking lot on Mistletoe Court, then pull around to the back of the museum to park. Drivers can drop off passengers in the back as well at the accessible ramp entrance to the Museum.

Families of all ages can enjoy a range of free activities at the museum every day. Explore our programs page and sign up for our e-newsletter to learn about upcoming family events.

You can review our visitor guidelines here.

No. Although the Marco Island Historical Society welcomes artifact donations, it does not provide authentication or appraisal services.

If you wish to obtain a formal, written appraisal of an object, you can consult the following professional associations to find an accredited appraiser in your area:

• American Society of Appraisers
• Appraisers Association of America
• International Society of Appraisers

Yes. The Marco Island Historical Society is recognized as a qualified charitable organization, and the fair market value of your donated materials is generally tax deductible. It is recommended that you consult with your own accountant, attorney, or the IRS to ensure that you receive the maximum tax benefit. You may also refer to Internal Revenue Service Publication No. 526, Charitable Contributions, and Publication No. 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property.

The Marco Island Historical Society is unable to accept long term loans, loans for unspecified periods of time, or loans that are not related to a specific exhibit. We may seek out artifacts in support of upcoming exhibits and programs, but these loans are for a limited time and are based on our needs as determined by the curatorial staff.

The Historical Society cannot guarantee that any objects, photographs, or documents donated to the MIHS collections will be exhibited. Only a small percentage of the over 48,000 items are on view at any given time, but our collections are utilized daily for research, education, community engagement, programming, and more.

No. Artifacts cannot be accepted for the collections without prior communication with MIHS Collections staff. Learn more about how to donate an object to our collections here.

While every item is unique, we evaluate several factors when considering donations: the historical or cultural importance of the item to Marco Island, its physical condition, whether the MIHS already has a similar piece, the item’s history of ownership and use, and storage needs.

Yes. Please contact our Curator of Collections at curator@themihs.org. Please note that bequests must meet collections requirements.

Yes! Even if you are unsure, the donation form is the best way to contact us to start the conversation.

To enquire whether a particular object is on view in the museum or to arrange a private appointment, contact our Collections Staff at collections@themihs.org.

The MIHS collects a wide variety of items related to the history of Marco Island and its surrounding community. To learn more about what type of materials we do and don’t accept for the MIHS collections, visit our Donate to Collections page.

Our museum acquires objects primarily for their historical relevance to Marco Island and the surrounding communities. This historical significance does not necessarily correlate with rarity or financial value. Often, the most ordinary, everyday objects, the kind anyone might use or save as mementos, tell the most compelling stories about our past!

The MIHS is a proud steward of over 48,000 objects in our collections, although only around 2% of those items are on display at any given time. Due to space and conservation concerns, some objects cannot be displayed at all or may only be on view for a short period of time. To ensure that our collections are visible to the broadest audience possible, we proactively provide access in a variety of different ways including research, social media initiatives, image requests, educational programs and lectures, and temporary exhibits.

Yes, you can explore our collections online or in person at the Kathy Miracco Research Center by appointment. We are happy to accommodate as many research requests as possible. For further information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us at collections@themihs.org.

Some objects currently have only basic information, but we are actively working to expand and enrich the details in our collection records. For specific research inquiries or to obtain collection images, please contact us at collections@themihs.org.

If you wish to use any MIHS collections content for personal, educational or commercial purposes, you must obtain prior written permission from the Historical Society. To request permission or image reproductions, please visit our Image Request page.

Our gift store offers a curated selection of items that complement our museum’s historical collections, including, but not limited to:

• Local history books and publications
• Replica historical artifacts and souvenirs
• Locally crafted artisan giftware, photography, art, and jewelry
• Educational toys and games related to local and natural history
• Unique jewelry and accessories
• MIHS merchandise

Yes! When possible, the Historical Society prioritizes local and regional artisans and makers. Our gift store sells both custom-made items and merchandise sourced from local craftspeople, historians, and small businesses within our region.

We accept:

• Major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
• Debit cards
• Cash
• Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay

Yes! Marco Island Historical Society and North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM) members receive a 10% discount on gift store purchases. Please present your valid membership card at checkout. Some exclusions apply.

At this time, the Museum does not have an online store. We invite you to visit our physical location to explore a diverse selection of unique gifts and souvenirs.

No, items purchased from the MIHS gift store are only available for in-store pick up at this time.

Absolutely! If you see something you’re interested in during your museum visit, our staff can hold items for you for up to 24 hours.

• Unopened items can be returned within 14 days of purchase with a valid receipt
• Handmade and limited-edition items are final sale
• Defective items can be exchanged or refunded with proof of purchase

• Phone: 239-389-6447
• Email: store@themihs.org
• In-person: Located inside the museum’s main entrance directly off the lobby.
• Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 3:30pm

Yes! Every purchase made directly supports the Marco Island Historical Society and Museum.

You can conveniently pay for your membership online using a credit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Alternatively, payments can be made by check, made out to the Marco Island Historical Society, at 180 South Heathwood Drive, Marco Island, Florida 34145.

If you wish to use your IRA to cover your membership dues, please ensure you follow specific guidelines to stay compliant with IRS regulations. For further details, contact your tax advisor.

Your membership with the Marco Island Historical Society is valid for a 12-month calendar year. This means that your membership will remain active for 12 months from the date of your enrollment or renewal.

Your membership with the Marco Island Historical Society renews 12 months after the date of your initial enrollment or your last renewal. You will be contacted 30-60 days in advance regarding your upcoming renewal. This notification will provide you with ample time to decide whether you would like to continue your membership for another year.

If you would like to ensure that your membership is automatically renewed each year, you have the option to set up auto-renewal. To do so, please contact us at administration@themihs.org or call us at 239.389.6447. Our team is happy to assist you with this process.

When you become a member of the Marco Island Historical Society, you also receive the benefit of NARM membership, which opens the door to a world of discovery and gives you the freedom to explore museums and cultural institutions across North America.

The North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association® network is a mosaic of 1,442 art museums and galleries, historical museums and societies, botanical gardens, children’s museums, zoos, and more. As a member, you can receive reciprocal membership benefits across the United States, Bermuda, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

No, the Marco Island Historical Society does not offer rental space. Our facilities are dedicated to hosting our exhibitions, educational programs, and community events. We aim to provide enriching experiences for our members and visitors through these activities. If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to contact us.

Tickets for the World Class Entertainment Concert Series will be open to the general public in the Fall. However, if you are a member of the Marco Island Historical Society, you have the advantage of early access to tickets before they are released to non-members.

To enjoy early access and other exclusive member benefits, consider becoming a member of the Marco Island Historical Society. For further details on membership and joining, please visit our Support page.

You can conveniently secure your program tickets online using a credit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. For additional assistance in paying for your tickets, please email administration@themihs.org.

The Marco Island Historical Society is open Monday through Friday, 9am – 4pm.

Yes, the Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 501(c)(3) is the primary nonprofit status through which donations made to the organization are tax-deductible. 501(c)(3) status is regulated and administered by the US Department of Treasury through the Internal Revenue Service.

There are many ways to support the Historical Society and its mission, whether it’s becoming a member, contributing financially, shopping in our museum gift store, or giving your time as a volunteer. Learn more about how to save and share history with us on our Support page.