Boca Grande Historical Society & History Center logo- Bringing History to Life - Celebrating 25 Year Anniversary
  • Facebook
  • Become a Member
  • Donation & Memorial
  • View Cart
  • Login / Member Area
  • History Center & Archives
    • Visit the History Center
    • History Center Hours
    • Historical Overview of Boca Grande
    • Island Regional Histories
    • On Site Collections
    • Online Collections Database
    • Archival Services
    • Fun & Games
    • Walking Tour of Boca Grande
  • Events
  • Timeline
  • Videos
  • Reading List
  • Store
    • Books
    • DVDs
    • Map Reproductions
    • Historic Photographs
    • Tickets
  • About
    • About BGHS
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Members
    • Our Sponsors
    • Volunteer
    • Annual Report
    • Photos
    • Facebook Photos
    • Tributes
    • Useful Links & Resources

Featured Videos

  • History Center

    • Visit the History Center
    • History Center Hours
    • Historical Overview of Boca Grande
    • Boca Grande Timeline
    • Island Regional Histories
    • On Site Collections
    • Online Collections Database
    • Archival Services
    • Featured Videos
    • Fun & Games
    • Walking Tour of Boca Grande

Magna Carta Collection

2025 Let's Talk About Florida Book Discussion Recordings

Lively conversations about Florida's history featuring books from our Florida reading list.

"The Allure of Immortality"

with Author and Moderartor Lyn Millner
Recorded on April 15, 2025

2025 History Bytes

"Pirates I Have Known"

David Futch - Recorded on Feb 12, 2025

Publisher and General Manager of the Boca Beacon

Dusty Hopkins - Recorded on Feb 19, 2025

"Boca Grande Through A Fisherman’s Eye"

Captain Van Hubbard - Recorded on Feb 26, 2025

2023-24: History Bytes

Picturing The Three Communities of Gasparilla Island

Kim Kyle, Betsy Fugate Joiner - Recorded on Feb 7, 2024

Mary Ellen Vickers Parkinson 1918 – 2004

Carolyn Parkinson Nabers - Recorded on Feb 14, 2024

Effie Sapp Joiner 1900 - 1996

Leslie Porter Joiner - Recorded on Feb 21, 2024

Living and Working in Boca Grande 1980s-Present

Viola Dyer - Recorded on Feb 28, 2024

2022-23

Weeds and Seeds: A History of Dining in Southwest Florida

Natalie A. De La Torre Salas - Recorded on Mar 21, 2023

2022-23: History Bytes

Final Rest

Crystal Diff - Recorded on Feb 1, 2023

2021-22: History Bytes

Joseph Spadaro and the Boca Grande Hotel

James Blaha, Trisha Lowe, Peg Kapustiak
Recorded on Feb 23, 2022

2021-22: Lectures

Legend of Gasparilla

Crystal Diff - Recorded on Jan 11, 2022

The Little Town That Unity Built

Dr. Martha Bireda - Recorded on Feb 17, 2022

Historic Tales of Gasparilla Island

David Futch - Recorded on Mar 22, 2022

2021-22: Let's Talk About Florida Book Discussion Recordings

Lively conversations about Florida's history featuring books from our Florida reading list.

Oranges

By John Mcphee, Recorded on Nov 16, 2021

Henry Plant

By Canter Brown, Jr., Recorded on Jan 18, 2022

Devil in the Grove

By Gilbert King, Recorded on Apr 5, 2022

COVID-19 Revisited Video Documentary

large text: Boca Grande Strong!

Together with Island TV, we have released a follow up documentary of 10 interviews on how COVID-19 has affected Boca Grande.

Introduction
Boca Grande Health Clinic, Gasparilla Outfitters

Watch Part 1

Royal Palm Players, Scarpa's Coastal

Watch Part 2

Boca Grande Historical Society, Boca Grande Resident

Watch Part 3

Lighthouse Methodist Church, Gulf to Bay/Sotheby's

Watch Part 4

Barrier Island Parks Society, Boca Grande Resident
Conclusion

Watch Part 5

2020-21: Lectures

Lecture: “YALE / The Sarasota School of Architecture”

Carl Abbott - Zoom Event - Recorded on Mar 9, 2021

Lecture: Race, Power, and Memory: An Oral History of Gasparilla Island’s Black Community

Kaylie Stokes - Zoom Event - Recorded on Feb 9, 2021

Lecture: David Futch Tells Stories of Old (and Not So Old) Boca Grande

Zoom Event - Recorded on Jan 19, 2021


2020-21: Let's Talk About Florida Book Discussion Recordings

Last Train to Paradise

View a lively conversation about Florida history highlighting one of the books on our Florida Reading List.
Recorded on Mar 16, 2021

River of Grass

View a discussion of this game-changing book about the uniqueness of the Everglades.
Recorded on Jan 14, 2021

A Land Remembered

View a discussion of this classic novel of a Florida pioneer family.
Recorded on Dec 3, 2020


Bad Boys: Growing Up in Boca Grande

Editing by Island TV for Boca Grande

Boca Grande, Florida: Island Jewel

Hurricanes - Nature’s Fury: Impact on Southwest Florida

COVID-19 and the Impact on Boca Grande

The Boca Grande Historical Society and History Center in partnership with Island TV for Boca Grande presents COVID-19 and the Impact on Boca Grande

The Boca Grande History Center is the primary caretaker for our island’s history, and thus it was imperative that we document how the current medical crisis is impacting Boca Grande. In addition to collecting print materials and photographs, the History Center in a project partnership with Rick Montgomery of Island TV has completed a filmed documentary containing images and interviews.

Watch Now

join BGHSEnjoyed this Content? Support us by Becoming a Member!

  Annual membership benefits from January to December.

  10% off all items in our store

  Priority notification of events, dates and topic

Become a Member

Find us on: Facebook

  • Become a Member
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
Boca Grande Historical Society Logo

Boca Grande Historical Society
History Center & Book Shop

Hours
Temporarily Closed
Read Milton Helene Update
For more information call or email us.

P.O. Box 553
Boca Grande, Florida 33921-0553

Moving Fall of 2025 to 240 Banyan St.

(941) 964-1600
info@bocagrandehistoricalsociety.com

Stay Up-To-Date with BGHS Activities

Sign up to receive our e-mail updates.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY CH#6860, MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352, OR VISITING www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Charities. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. TAX ID #65-0585091. 100% OF ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE USED ENTIRELY BY THE BGHS.

back to top