Visit the History Center

We are located in the Lee County historic Teacherage House on the corner of Park Avenue and Banyan Street on beautiful Gasparilla Island. Visit our interesting exhibitions obtained from our large archival collection of photos and historical research. Our book store offers a choice of historical memorabilia for sale.

Featuring our current exhibition:

“Boca Grande: Once a Railroad and Industrial Town”

Boca Grande: Once A Railroad and Industrial Town tells the story of Gasparilla Island in the early and mid-twentieth century when there was a major port at the south end of the island, a commercial fishing village at the north end and the development of the town of Boca Grande by the Railroad Company. Learn the importance of each area, the stories of the people who built and operated the railroad, the development of tourism and the Gasparilla Inn, the names and stories of the early families who populated the island and ran its businesses, the early winter colony of prominent people, the operations of the port, the commercial and sport fishing operations and much more.

NEW Special Exhibition: Magna Carta Collection

The original Magna Carta (translation: “Great Charter”) was issued in June 1215 and was the FIRST document to put into writing the principle that the king and his government was not above the law. The Magna Carta provided the FOUNDATIONS for individual rights in Anglo-American jurisprudence. In other words, the document created structures or foundations upon which political rights would continue to evolve.

When the Boca Grande History Center was informed that a collection of documents would be deeded to the Center, (dating back to the early 1900’s and relating to the start of the commercial development of Boca Grande), the Director of the History Center excitedly proclaimed that the deeded documents were some of the FIRST economically focused documents evidencing the FOUNDATIONS or plans for Boca Grande, and he went on to label these documents Boca Grande’s economic version of a Magna Carta. The Magna Carta label soon was used by others to describe these early documents. In other words, the deeded documents promoted structures or foundations upon which plans were designed to promote an evolving and vibrant “railroad and industrial town.” Without a doubt, these early documents constitute important components of the economic structure and history of Boca Grande; i.e. Boca Grande’s commercial MAGNA CARTA!

History Center Opening Hours

Winter Hours

Mon – Fri: 10 AM – 4 PM
Saturday & Evening Hours Vary
Recommended Maximum Capacity Per Visit: 10

For more information please call or email to schedule a time to meet with the Archivist.

Special Hours

The History Center is Located at:

170 Park Ave.
Boca Grande, Florida 33921

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