Get To Know The Naples Historical Society

The Naples Historical Society was established in 1962 with a mission to "preserve Naples history and heritage for the community and future generations to enjoy." That mission is central to everything that the Naples Historical Society does, from the creation of exhibits at the Historic Palm Cottage to the many events, tours, and educational programs that they organize. Our real estate agents have more information on all that the Naples Historical Society does to preserve local history and what you can expect to enjoy when you visit.

 

The Historic Palm Cottage is the long-time home of the Naples Historical Society, where you can explore exhibits, chat with volunteers, take a guided tour, and enjoy a variety of special events throughout the year. Having been built in 1895, the Historic Palm Cottage is recognized as the oldest house in Naples.

 

More than one million people have visited Historic Palm Cottage during its decades as the home of the Naples Historical Society, and thousands of young students from Collier County schools visit every year. Its location in the Historic District near Naples homes for sale is very fitting for an organization so dedicated to local history.

 

One of the best ways to get to know the Naples Historical Society and learn more about local history is to take a guided tour. Volunteers from the Naples Historical Society lead group tours of Historic Palm Cottage daily, providing context on exhibits, sharing stories, and answering your questions on the history of Naples. Guided walking tours of the Naples Historic District are also available, which allow you to observe historic homes, learn about prominent locations from the earliest days of Naples, and discover stories of the prominent people who have called the community home over the decades.

 

Education is at the heart of the Naples Historical Society's mission, with a variety of educational programs available for children and adults. The Pupils at Palm Cottage program is geared toward helping local youth learn more about the history of their community, while the Speaker's Bureau produces educational lectures for all ages. The Naples Oral Histories project includes recordings of longtime residents and local experts on the people, places, and stories that have shaped the history of Naples.

 

Are you a longtime resident of Naples? Educational programs like the Council of Longtime Friends allow you to share stories, identify historic photos, and help preserve the history of Naples for future generations. Residents of all ages can also get involved by contributing to the Archival Repository Project, with the long-term goal of digitally preserving the Society's vast collection of historic documents.

 

Along with its many speaking engagements at the Historic Palm Cottage and around town, the Naples Historical Society hosts a number of major special events throughout the year. Garden Side Chickee Chats are part of a lecture series held in the scenic garden at the Historic Palm Cottage, while events like the Members Mixer, Brew in the Garden, and Croquet & Chardonnay bring members together for historic fun.

 

The holiday season is an especially busy time for events at the Cottage, with Christmas at Historic Palm Cottage tours offered throughout the month of December and the annual Christmas Gala Fundraiser, which is one of the Naples Historical Society's most important fundraising events of the year.

 

Are you interested in getting involved with the Naples Historical Society? In addition to contributing to the educational programs we mentioned above, the easiest way to contribute is by becoming a member or volunteer. Members provide financial support while gaining free access to the museum and many events. Volunteers are more directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the Naples Historical Society, with free training available to help you fill your desired role.