Summer at the Boca Grande History Center
BY THE BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The late Robert Fischer, author of “Boca Grande: Once A Railroad Town,” wrote that there are “Many beautiful places to live or vacation in southwest Florida … Once Boca Grande had all the charm and ambience of a James Michener novel set in the South Pacific … Once Boca Grande had been unlike any other place in Florida…”
The rich and unique history of Gasparilla Island and Boca Grande is evidenced by a community which boasted social and economic diversity and a relative environment of self-containment. The Boca Grande Historical Society and History Center is dedicated to collecting and preserving all forms of information about Gasparilla Island’s unique history, facilitating public access to our collection and promoting activities designed to enhance knowledge and interest in the island’s unique historical evolution.
To fulfill the Society’s mission, the History Center is open to the public all year. The public is encouraged to visit the History Center and talk with the staff about current ongoing archival-related tasks, plus view the current major exhibits. In addition, the History Center staff can share with visitors the special research projects which are scheduled to continue during the summer months. Special summer projects include:
- Walking Down Memory Lane: Business Enterprises: Gone but Not Forgotten: Researching and identifying the names and types of businesses which no longer exist on Gasparilla Island to provide evidence of a self-contained and developing community.
- Gasparilla Island 2024: In partnership with the Boca Grande Photography Club, photos of events and current places on Gasparilla Island including interiors and exteriors of buildings, street views, etc. will be archived and available for viewing. The goal of this project is to showcase all of Gasparilla Island as it exists today.
- As part of the Community Center redevelopment plan, the History Center will be moving into new facilities soon. Given the acquisition of a new facility with new exhibits, which utilizes the latest interactive technology, plus an expanded research area, the History Center (thanks to a grant from the Woman’s Club) has contracted with a professional design company to assist our planning efforts. Together with the ideas and recommendations of the exhibit design company, the History Center has an opportunity to become a model for all-inclusive historical caretakers. A related major goal is to seek financial donors for implementation of the final design plan. For additional information, potential donors should contact Kim Kyle or Jim Blaha at the History Center at (941) 964-1600.
- In partnership with the Boca Beacon, the History Center is planning to submit articles on a regular basis which focus upon the history of Gasparilla Island and Boca Grande.
Archives, exhibits, projects, research materials and more are available to island residents and visitors. To find out more about the history of Gasparilla Island and the town of Boca Grande, visit the Boca Grande History Center at 170 Park Avenue. Check out our website at bocagrandehistoricalsociety.com or join us on Facebook. The History Center is open all year, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Small tour groups and special research requests are welcome!
