The Fort Myers Historical Museum in Fort Myers, Florida provides a look back to a time when railroads dominated the area. The railroad's warehouse and track was sold and on part of this property a large library was built in 1971. The property next to the library was allowed to become run down. In 1975, the community worked to turn this building into a local museum. With the community's help as well as the city's, the building was converted. It took until 1982 for the museum to finally open its doors. Visitors to the museum could walk through and look at exhibits in what was the former passenger depot. The museum was dedicated to telling the story of the city of Fort Myers.
Today, visitors can enjoy the museum, officially named, The Southwest Florida Museum of History. It is located on Peck Street. The museum is open to the public year round, usually from Tuesday through Saturday. Many of the exhibits focus on the early part of the region including the history of the Paleo Indians, the Calusa, the Spanish explorers that founded the first settlements and the Seminoles. There is a pioneer cracker house exhibit to explore as well as a 1926 La France fire pumper. Much of the tour provides artifacts or replicas that are truly authentic.
The museum offers a tour which takes about 1 ½ hours to go through. There are also traveling exhibits featured. The museum sponsors a walking tour of the downtown area as well as many escorted day trips through the surrounding areas.
