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who we are

For 30 years, the Marco Island Historical Society has preserved and presented Marco Island’s intriguing history through award-winning exhibits, expansive collections, diverse programming, and community projects.

Our History

The Marco Island Historical Society (MIHS) was founded in 1994 as a chapter of the Collier County Historical Society (CCHS). It began as a social club for people interested in history, who shared a passion for ensuring that Marco Island’s heritage didn’t disappear in a time of rapid change.

In 1995, the fledging MIHS embarked on its first major undertaking when it joined forces with Southwest Florida Archaeological Society to orchestrate a large-scale professional excavation of a Marco Island archaeological site that came under threat of development. This kicked off a series of ambitious endeavors including: bringing the famed Key Marco Cat artifact “home” on loan three times, the third for an unprecedented seven and a half years, and the opening of two temporary history museums on the island between 1997 and 2002. These efforts gave momentum to a growing movement to build a permanent local history museum on Marco Island.

What once seemed like a distant dream quickly became a reality. In 2003, Collier County reached an agreement with the MIHS to build the museum on county land, provided that the Historical Society could raise the necessary funds within five years. The MIHS, at that time a group of volunteers with little to no major fundraising experience, launched what ultimately became a $4.5 million capital campaign to build the Marco Island Historical Museum. A once small grassroots effort became a highly organized community-wide ambition. The MIHS received more than 400 donations, large and small, from invested businesses, families, and individuals. Once completed, the Marco Island Historical Society transferred ownership of the museum complex to Collier County, making it the fifth and newest in the county’s museum system. The Marco Island Historical Museum hosted a soft opening in June 2010 and officially opened its doors in February 2011.

Today, the Historical Society continues its founders’ legacy to safeguard and share our community history through managing and preserving a collection of over 48,000 objects, creating exciting and thought-provoking exhibits and programming, and partnering with Collier County to present the island’s history and heritage to visitors of the Marco Island Historical Museum campus.

The Marco Island Historical Society is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supported through donations, membership fees, events, and sales in our Museum Gift Store.

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Our Mission

The mission of the Marco Island Historical Society is to preserve and to share the history and heritage of Marco Island and the surrounding community.

Our Vision

The vision of the Marco Island Historical Society is to build a shared community legacy for the future by preserving the past.

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Our Values

Integrity
  • Commitment to professional, ethical, and legal standards
  • Honesty, openness, and transparency
  • Advance the mission of the MIHS in all that we do
Stewardship
  • Responsible care and preservation of the historical resources entrusted to us
  • Responsible management of financial and human resources in support of our mission
  • Advocate for the care and preservation of historical resources in the communities we serve
Relevance
  • Activities that engage conversation, encourage the community to appreciate and learn from the past, and link our history to the present
  • Creation of personal meaning from stories of the community’s history
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility
  • Respect for multiple points of view
  • A welcoming environment that encourages participation
Innovation and Creativity
  • Pursuit of new ways to engage people with history, utilize historic resources, and share stories
  • Experimentation and innovative thinking
Professional Excellence
  • Responsiveness and accuracy
  • Collaboration and partnerships
  • Continuous learning
Appreciation
  • The curiosity, passion, participation, and contributions of our members
  • The support and dedication of our donors
  • The efforts, energy, commitment, and creativity of our staff members
  • The dedicated commitment and passion of our leadership
Education/Learning
  • Curiosity
  • Knowledge sharing
  • Communicating effectively
  • Sharing our passion with others
  • Having fun and enjoying entertainment together

what we do

The Marco Island Historical Society gathers, safeguards, and shares narratives and artifacts that showcase the island’s history. Through a variety of exhibits, educational programs, and community events, the Society provides insight into the island’s rich heritage and culture.

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Our Collection

The Marco Island Historical Society researches, collects, curates, and cares for a diverse collection of over 48,000 items spanning 6,000 years of our region’s history.

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Museum

The Marco Island Historical Museum provides an enriching space to immerse oneself in the island’s history. In partnership with Collier County Museums, we offer dynamic rotating exhibits and award-winning permanent exhibitions, attracting over 20,000 visitors annually.

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Rose History Auditorium

The Rose History Auditorium serves as an event space that is operated and maintained by the Marco Island Historical Society, hosting various events and programs related to the organization.

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Programs

The Marco Island Historical Society offers a variety of engaging programs designed to inspire, entertain, and educate visitors about the rich history and culture of Marco Island and the surrounding region.

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Community Projects

Through our primary program areas, the Marco Island Historical Society collaborates closely with the community to execute projects that strengthen the vital links between our past, present, and future.

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Our Team

Our team consists of devoted professionals who are each dedicated to upholding the mission, vision, and values of the Marco Island Historical Society in every aspect of their work.

Pat rutledge

Chief Executive Officer

April Bowden

Operations Manager

Lisa Consolo

Business Manager

Heather Otis

Curator of Collections

Ivy Johnson

Museum Specialist

Nancy Judd

Gift Store Manager

Board of directors

Tish Champagne President
Michael J. O’Rourke Past-President
Valinda Bilbrey Secretary
Bertil Engh Treasurer
Ronald Saffin Assistant Treasurer
Neil Bretthauer Director at Large
Pat Rutledge Chief Executive Officer
Mary Jo O’Regan Director
Pamela Rakoczy Director
Benjamin Ramsey Director
Allyson Richards Director
Myrt Rose Director
Henry Stanley Director
Chris Sullivan Director

Founding Members

Lourdes Alaimo
Sylvia Allen
Catherine Andries
Shirley and Bernard Beckwith
Mary and Beverly Boltz
T.J. Brown
Ann and David Bruner
Betty Bruno
Bob and Eleanor Burnham
Verlie Buske
Carol Campbell
Christine Chambers
Patricia S. Clarke
Margaret Clarkson
Jack and Ledlie Crutchfield
Claudia Curle
Eleanor D’Amico
June Norris Ellis
Helen Ann Federspiel
Maria Filbin
Janet M. Garabedian
Betty Gilmartin
Dorothy Hancock
Dorothy Harkness
Aimee Hepting
Mary Jane Hittler
Martha L. and Irwin Jacoby
Judy Kenney
Effie Keery
Phyllis and George Kuntz
Robert and Dorothy Lyon
Sue Marks
Fred and Judy Martin
Joyce and David Martindell
Jean Mathews
Carolyn McPherson
Joanne Moore
Helmut and Hildegard Nickel
Dr. Peter and Marie Nowosielski
Marion Nicolay
Greta Osterbeck
Priscilla Penn
Bill and Betsy Perdichizzi
Jackie Preston
Patricia K. Raney
Nancy Richie
Dolores Riordan
Ruth Roseboom
Arleen Soldano
Carolyn Soule
Mary Spack
Anthony and Pauline Staiano
Pat and Joe Stoye
Bill and Priscilla Tyson
Dolores Warburg
Barbara Wallisky
Vicky Williams
Trudy Yendall
Lora Jean Young
Betty Zachadnyk
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Policies & Reports

Publications

The Marco Island Historical Society keeps you informed and shares the history and heritage of Marco Island through our newsletters, books, scholarly articles and other publications.

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MAKE HISTORY MATTER

Become a member today and help us tell the many stories of Marco Island’s history and heritage.

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  • 2018 Museum Publications Design Competition – “Appraisal Faire” and “Affaire to Remember” Gala Invitation
  • 2017 Museum Publications Design Competition – Marco Island’s Pioneer Era Exhibit Opening
  • 2017 Commercial Landscape Award
  • 2013 Institutional Landscape Award
  • 2012 Institutional Landscape Award
  • 2011 Flame Award for Arts in Education
  • 2025 Women in American History Award – Patricia Rutledge, Chief Executive Officer
  • 2025 Women in American History Award – Betsy Perdichizzi, Past President and Founding Member
  • 2019 Award for Museum Excellence – Key Marco Artifacts Loan
  • 2016 Award for Museum Excellence in Exhibits – “Paradise Found – 6,000 Years of People on Marco Island”
  • 2022 Organizational Achievement Award – Marco Island Historical Society Skiff Preservation
  • 2022 Meritorious Achievement Award in the Field of Preservation Communications/Media – The Nine Lives of Florida’s Famous Key Marco Cat by Austin J. Bell
  • 2020 “40 under 40” Winner – Austin J. Bell, Curator of Collections
  • 2017 Artist of the Year – Austin J. Bell, Curator of Collections
  • Spirit of Marco Island – 2024
  • 2025 Publication Competition, Invitations Category – “Saturday Night Fever” Gala Invitation
  • 2024 Publication Competition, Invitations Category – “Kings & Queens” Gala Invitation
  • 2023 Exhibition Competition, Exhibits under $10,000 Category – “Art of the Dig: Wells Sawyer’s Watercolors”
  • 2023 Publication Competition, Invitations Category – “Witches & Warlocks” Gala Invitation
  • 2022 Publication Competition, Invitations Category – “Pirates & Pearls” Gala Invitation
  • 2021 Exhibition Competition, Exhibits under $10,000 Category – “A Pressing Matter: Preserving Marco Island’s Flora”
  • 2021 Publication Competition, Brochures & Rack Cards Category – MIHS Membership Brochure
  • 2021 Publication Competition, Invitations Category – “Under the Big Top” Gala Invitation
  • 2021 Publication Competition, Brochures & Rack Cards Category – MIHM Museum Brochure
  • 2020 Publications Competition, Mailers & Calendar of Events Category – MIHS Endowment Fund Mailer
  • 2019 Exhibition Competition, Over $100,000 Category – “Paradise Found – 6,000 Years of People on Marco Island”
  • 2019 Exhibition Competition, Under $25,000 Category –– “I Remember Marco”
  • 2019 Technology Competition, Student Projects Category – Marco Memory Project
  • 2019 Publication Competition, Invitations Category – “Dreams Do Come True” Gala Invitation
  • 2018 Technology Competition, Gallery Installation Category – “ I Remember Marco” Hashtag Hub
  • 2017 Exhibition Competition, Over $100,000 Category – “The Pioneer Era – A Tale of Two Villages”
  • 2015 Publication Competition, Brochures & Rack Cards Category – “Windows and Doors to History”
  • 2015 Publication Competition, Campaign Category – “Windows and Doors to History”
  • 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award – Top 10% of Attractions Worldwide
  • 2021 Travelers’ Choice Award – Top 10% of Attractions Worldwide
  • 2020 Travelers’ Choice Award – “Best of the Best” Award for History Museums
  • (2017 – present) Certificate of Excellence
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Image and use fee schedule

MIHS Members receive 10% discount on all digital and photo copy services

Digital Services

  • Digital services include scans of photographics and/or documents. All prices are per page.
  • Photographs are saved as JPEG files unless otherwise requested
  • Documents can be saved as either JPEG or PDF files.
  • No physical reproductions are made by the MIHS. Requestor is responsible for printing and all associated costs.
Product price
Digital Scan at 300 dpi $20 / scan
Digital Scan at 600+ dpi $30 / scan
CD with requested materials Add $5

Photocopy Services

  • Photocopies of materials are in Black & White only
Quantity price
1-10 pages Free
10+ pages 10¢ / page

Delivery

  • Unless otherwise requested, all digital materials will be delivered via email.
  • If purchasing materials on a CD, the CD will be mailed to preferred address for no additional cost.

Payment

  • Check
  • Credit card by phone