-Will be closed month of September 2021—PLEASE NOTE THE HOURS THAT THIS MUSEUM IS OPEN
The current hours are:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
October 1st to April 30th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
May 1st to September 30th 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Their phone number is 941-778-0492. Admission is free. The hours can fluctuate certain times of the year so it might be best to call first. Click here for their official website.
In November 1990, the Anna Maria Island Historical Society was organized. It is now an incorporated, tax-exempt, educational, nonprofit organization.
The mission of AMIHS is to collect, study, preserve and exhibit all materials relating to the early days on Anna Maria Island.
The building, which belongs to the city, was built in 1920 as an ice house. Since that time, it has served as an automotive garage, city offices, police and fire departments and the Turtle House.
Now, housed in the museum are rare old photographs, maps, records from the early 1900's, clippings from newspapers and videos of old times. There are collections indigenous to the island: shells, fossils, old post office equipment, tools, fishing items, aerial photos of the island and more. A Gift Shop offers a variety of items: unique T-shirts, books, hats, visors, pictures, post cards, etc.
Families are encouraged to visit the Island Historical Museum. Children can go on a scavenger hunt. Among the museum treasures they can find are sharks' teeth, baby turtles, rattlesnake skin and rattles and much more.
Museum volunteers will take your photo in the Old City Jail. Jailbird costumes may be borrowed for the pictures. During special events, treasures may be found in the sandbox.
Currently, the historical society is working on the preservation of Belle Haven, an historic cottage located on the City Pier from 1920-1926. After toppling into Tampa Bay, it served as a home for several families for 75 years. Before it could be demolished in 2001, AMIHS heard the past history of the cottage and decided it should be saved. With the help of the city it was moved to the museum complex on November 27, 2001. In 2003, restoration started. Please ask for more information while visiting this cache.
Thanks should go out to Carolyne Norwood and the many volunteers that make this museum and this geocache possible. Please take a minute to thank them in person for their hard work and dedication.
The geocache is a jewelery box located behind the main desk. You will find some very friendly people here that will be happy to retrieve it for you. Because many generous volunteers serve to help keep the museum open, you may have to explain what you are there to find and what geocaching is all about.
The following is optional now but still recommended---->In order to gain extra credit for this cache you could answer this question and email it to me. The answer can be found easily on one of the main walls.
How long was the sperm whale that washed ashore during a rain squall in Tampa Bay just south of Anna Maria City Pier?
It's initial contents are:
A sea grape log-book
Two Anna Maria Island bumper stickers
Six Florida postcards
An Anna Maria Island collectors spoon
An Anna Maria Island collectors thimble
Two Anna Maria Island magnetic bookmarks
Five Anna Maria Island keychains
A little bottle of "Florida Beachfront Property".
Please take an item and leave an item if you wish, but please sign the log-book.