Then and Now

EIHS News

June 2025

Summer Slow Down

The island has quieted down quite a bit since Easter, and we’ve been busy getting the historic cottage ready for hurricane season. Our summer hours will be limited, as many of our volunteers have headed north. We plan to be open on Saturday, July 5 and Saturday, July 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Dates for August will be announced in our July newsletter.

We’re excited to announce a new exhibit in progress: A Decade-by-Decade History of the Island, spanning from the 1800s through the 1990s. It may be preview-ready by July 5, but the official opening is planned for the fall.

As we enter hurricane season, we’re working to move important documents, photographs, and artifacts out of harm’s way. A big thank-you to Liz at the library for offering us temporary storage space. We’ll be packing and relocating materials over the next couple of weeks. If you happen to drive past Bay Road and see our “Open” sign, stop in—we’d love a helping hand!

What to Expect Next Season at EIHS

In addition to our regular public programs in January, February, and March, we’re expanding our offerings with two new mini-lecture series:

Third Thursdays: Deep Diving into the Decades

This series will explore island history decade by decade—from the days of the early settlers to the formation of the town in the 1990s.

We’ll also continue our popular Second Saturday Murder Mystery series. We’ve completed research on two gripping cases: the disappearance of the Kalia III sailboat and the Moringiello murders—these will be our first presentations of the season.

We're also working to bring back our Historic Boat Tours of Estero Island in February or March. These tours have been a favorite in the past. We're currently looking for a large pontoon boat and a captain—if you have a lead, please contact us at profbunting@gmail.com.

Other Updates

Ostego Bay Foundation is hosting its annual Kids’ Fishing Tournament on June 28 at Moss Marina. Joanne Semmer is looking for volunteers to help—let us know if you're interested in lending a hand.

The Ostego Bay Summer Camp kicks off next week! Students will gather at the old Bonita Bill’s community room and head out on daily field trips to explore the island’s marine life. Afternoons will be spent at the Ostego Bay Marine Science Center, located next to the historic cottage on Bay Road.

Matanzas Pass Preserve Update

A few weeks ago, an engineer was seen surveying the preserve in preparation to submit a project bid—an encouraging sign that progress may be on the horizon!

Beach School News

Despite the interlocal agreement signed after Hurricane Ian, the Lee County School Board has yet to commit to reopening Beach Elementary School.

In response, parents and residents filled the Town Council Chambers last month to speak out in support of the school.

An ad hoc committee working with the school district gave a detailed presentation to the Council, outlining the situation and requesting their support. Afterward, the group marched from Town Hall to the school in a show of solidarity.

Beach Elementary, built in 1948, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can learn more about its history by downloading the free ebook available on our website.