Naples, Florida boasts a rich and vibrant history. The people of Naples take time, money and lots of effort to preserve their heritage and present it to the rest of the world. This is done through museum displays of rare artifacts and art and culture exhibits. One of the stewards of the southwest Florida’s treasured memories is the Naples Historical Society (former Collier Historical Society Inc.). Established in 1962, the society has a solid policy in advocating the preservation of the things that built the foundation of Naples, Florida for generations to learn from as well as enjoy.
The society brings much effort to bring to the community and efficient produce educational programs and preservation initiatives for the good of the city’s history and its most valuable resource – its children.
The society’s biggest attraction is also its educational headquarters, the Historic Palm Cottage. This is a museum that was once a house and was built in the traditional Americana style. Over the years, it has been restored and now serves as a top tourist destination in the city. The place has a quiet charm to it and it features exhibits that you might expect seeing from a turn of the century house. Today, the museum conducts Christmas time specials where they put up lights, a Christmas tree, socks by the fireplace and other good treats that the kids and the kids at heart are sure to love. You may even rent the garden just adjacent to this house called The Norris Gardens at Palm Cottage, with a very nice well maintained lawn and landscaping, for your cocktail parties and other special gatherings.
The operation of these places is in connection to the advocacy of the society to save houses from getting destroyed in the face of rapid urban growth. To achieve this, the society needed more support than ever before. Resources such as finances, good governance within the society and community endorsement were all needed and were all in short supply around the year 2000.
In 2002, with a new head, more efforts were made to save the society that was, at that time, on the brink of disbandment. Through slow and constant work, the society has regained confidence from the community after four years.
By 2007, the society overhauled most of its organizational infrastructure. It had to rebuild its brand and realign its vision to generate greater community support and reestablish credibility. They also had to do this with minimal staff and a dwindling savings and that was always a challenge for them.
Fortunately, things suddenly became hopeful as the tides shift towards the better. By 2011, the society had gained much unprecedented support and began to see a substantial growth in terms of organizational structure. The expanded staff meant that the society was able to deliver more meaningful educational programs to the public and deliver it consistently.
Today, the Naples Historic Society has fully rebuilt itself into a financially stable and self-sustaining organization and a credible non-profit. It enjoys the full benefits of a supportive community that’s built on trust and the common goal of preserving the treasures of Naples, Florida.
