MUSEUM OF THE ISLANDS

By  Mike Miller September 15, 2025

Museum of the Islands is in Bokeelia on Pine Island, Florida. It preserves the history of Pine Island and nearby keys.

The all-volunteer museum displays artifacts from Native Americans and pioneers. Exhibits cover archaeology, fishing, and island life.

A gift shop sells local books and souvenirs. The site includes a garden and pavilion for picnics. 

Museum of the Islands

Pine Island was home to the Calusa Indians for over 2,000 years. They built shell mounds and fished Pine Island Sound.

Spanish explorer Ponce de León landed nearby in 1521 and died from a Calusa arrow wound.

In the 1800s, Cuban fishermen used the area as a ranchero. Pioneers settled in the late 1800s, growing crops and fishing.

The museum opened in 1989 in a former library. It documents island history through artifacts and research.

The Pine Island Historical Society funds it with donations and fundraisers. 

The Museum of the Islands is at 5728 Sesame Street, Bokeelia, FL 33922. It’s open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM.

Call (239) 283-1525 for special tours or group visits. The museum is in Pine Island Center, off Stringfellow Road.

Parking is available on-site. Walk the garden paths, visit the gift shop, or relax in the pavilion.

Check their website for updates or events. Nearby shops offer more island exploration.  

• Calusa shell mounds on Pine Island date back 2,000 years and mark ancient villages. 

• Ponce de León’s 1521 expedition ended with his death from a poisoned Calusa arrow near the island.  

• The museum displays fishing gear from Cuban rancheros who worked the waters in the 1800s.  

• Volunteer staff share stories from newspaper clippings on Pine Island’s growth.  

• The site’s garden highlights local flora tied to the island’s ecology. 

MUSEUM OF THE ISLANDS WEBSITE