History & Museums in Southwest Florida
Discover historic homes, island heritage, Calusa history and museums across Lee and Collier counties.
Lee County: inventions and early settlements
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates introduce two famous winter residents of Fort Myers. Koreshan State Park tells a different settlement story in Estero. Mound House on Fort Myers Beach explores Calusa heritage, while Sanibel Historical Museum & Village preserves island history.
Collier County: communities and changing landscapes
Start with Collier Museum at Government Center for regional history. Marco Island Historical Museum adds an island perspective, Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch explores agricultural life, and Museum of the Everglades tells stories from Everglades City. Addresses and phone numbers appear in our Collier County attraction directory.
A different kind of history
Revs Institute in Naples uses historic automobiles to explore engineering, design and the development of motoring. It makes a distinct outing for people interested in machines and the stories behind them. Confirm admission arrangements directly before planning a visit.
Build a manageable history day
Choose a town and one main museum, then add time for lunch or a walk nearby. Our Fort Myers, Estero and Marco Island guides help connect an attraction with its surroundings. See the Lee County directory for additional historic stops.