After months of dedicated restoration efforts, The Captiva Island Historical Society’s (CIHS) History Gallery is once again open to the public.
Located inside the Captiva Memorial Library at 11560 Chapin Lane, the gallery had been closed since Hurricane Helene in September, followed by additional damage during Hurricane Milton in October. Both the library and gallery experienced significant storm surge, requiring a full disassembly of the exhibit and comprehensive repairs.
“We had to disassemble the gallery and install new flooring—everything is new,” shared CIHS Board President Tom Libonate.
A Tribute to Captiva’s Rich History
Originally opened in 2014, the History Gallery is a visual and interactive tribute to Captiva’s vibrant past, designed as a replica of the historic Santiva mailboat. Visitors will find historical artifacts and multimedia presentations that trace life on the island—from the ancient Calusa Indians and pioneering settlers to the present-day community.
“It tells the story of life on Captiva,” Libonate added. “From the Calusa Indians and early homesteaders, to current day.”
After the hurricanes, the entire exhibit was carefully taken apart. Salvageable pieces were dried and stored in climate-controlled containers before being reassembled. The gallery was structurally restored by January, with finishing touches completed in time for the library’s April 2 reopening.
What’s New?
While the layout and storytelling remain the same, visitors will notice a refreshed and updated experience:
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New flooring and paintwork
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Improved lighting
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A cleaner, crisper presentation of existing exhibits
“The only difference is that it’s fresher,” said Libonate. “It gave us a chance to tune it up a bit.”
Coming soon is an innovative audio feature: a suspended plastic cone that offers an isolated audio experience. Visitors will be able to stand beneath it and listen to curated content from the exhibit without background noise.
A Community Effort
The restoration was made possible through generous community donations, which fully covered expenses, including the upcoming audio installation.
“Incredibly generous,” Libonate said. “With all the issues that individuals had on their own, we were astounded with the response we received.”
Special thanks were extended to:
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Mike Boris (Board Vice President) and Bob Johnson for coordinating the rebuild
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Trim City for carefully disassembling, storing, and reassembling the exhibit, as well as updating lighting and painting
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Ilie Ruby, a local artist and author, for restoring the gallery’s painted murals—entirely as a volunteer
“They really stepped up,” Libonate emphasized. “Everyone involved gave their time and energy to bring this space back to life.”
Plan Your Visit
Captiva Memorial Library
Open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Hours: 10 AM – 12:30 PM and 1 PM – 4 PM
Admission is free, and all are welcome to explore this revived treasure trove of Captiva’s past.
Learn more at: www.captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org
