A defining feature of the Museum of the Everglades is the role of the community in sustaining it. From the earliest fundraising efforts to ongoing operations, local volunteers have served as the backbone of the institution. Many are lifelong residents whose families’ histories are intertwined with the exhibits themselves. Their contributions—as… Read More

One of the most memorable exhibits focuses on Hurricane Donna, the devastating storm that struck Everglades City in 1960. Photographs and survivor testimonies recount how the community was nearly wiped out by winds and flooding. Yet, the people rebuilt, embodying the same resilience that has defined Everglades life for generations. The museum prese… Read More

The Museum of the Everglades is designed to tell a story of continuity—of people living with, not against, the wilderness. Its exhibits trace the history of human settlement from prehistoric Native American cultures to the development of modern communities. Native Roots: The First Inhabitants The museum’s early galleries explore the Calusa an… Read More

The restoration of the courthouse was a meticulous labor of love. Architects and craftsmen sought to maintain the building’s original Mediterranean Revival features while adapting it for museum use. This required structural reinforcement, installation of climate control systems to protect delicate artifacts, and the creation of exhibition spaces … Read More