Mission

 

OUR MISSION is to collect, research, preserve, and exhibit materials and artifacts relating to the history Anna Maria Island. The educational program is one of great importance. It helps to preserve the heritage of our beautiful seven-mile jewel. Historical Society members visit churches and civic organizations to make the history of the Island come alive to students, residents and visitors from all walks of life.

 

About the Museum

 

Now that you have fallen in love with Anna Maria Island, come learn about its rich history. The Anna Maria Island Historical Society was founded in 1990 by Pat Copeland and Carolyne Norwood to preserve the Island's unique story. The Historical Society opened the museum in 1992 and continues to manage it today.

 

A visit to the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum is a trip back into old Florida. Our museum displays artifacts, photographs and maps that show the Island's history as it spans from its earliest times as an Indian fishing camp; to the first homesteader in 1893; to the Island's roaring twenties culture; to the baseball players who once wintered here in the 1950s-70s. The historical complex features the original City Jail, the Belle Haven cottage that once sat on the City Pier, and a garden of plants native to Anna Maria Island.

 

We have scavenger hunts for the kids (and the kid in all of us). Find the alligator dolls, rattlesnake skin and many other unique artifacts, join in the fun!

 

Museum Hours

January-April: Tues.-Sat. 10am to 4pm

May-December: Tues.-Sat. 10am to 1pm

Closed the month of September.

Admission is free! Donations are greatly appreciated.

 

Further Resources

 

The Historic Anna Maria City Tour brochure is now available in our gift shop (it's free!). You can download a PDF version here:

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There are many wonderful historical buildings in Anna Maria City and not all could be included in the brochure. A list of additional sites can be downloaded by clicking the brown button:

 

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This tour was created for AMIHS by Kathryn Rohlwing, Univeristy of Florida intern.

 

View photographs of objects in our collection and of documents in our archives on eHive.

 

Keep up-to-date with our latest activities by liking the Anna Maria Island Historical Society page on Facebook.

 

Watch oral histories about Anna Maria Island on our YouTube Channel.

 

A calendar of city events that includes museum events can be viewed on the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce website.

 

We greatly appreciate TripAdvisor reviews. Thank you to all the wonderful visitors who have reviewed us! We have received a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor and we are now #5 in the list of top 12 things to do in Anna Maria.