Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium to Reopen with Redesigned Exhibits and More Focus on Conservation
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium on Sanibel Island is set to reopen after more than 16 months of closure and rebuilding from Hurricane Ian. When it does, the public will enjoy redesigned and reinstalled permanent exhibit galleries that emphasize more shells, conservation and marine life education, along with a more dynamic visitor experience.
The museum will reopen in phases, with the Living Gallery of Aquariums expected in early February and Great Hall of Shells later in the spring.
Living Gallery of Aquariums
In the Living Gallery of Aquariums, the exhibits of live animals will be restored with the same mix of over 60 species of marine life, including the giant Pacific octopus, two-spot octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, giant clam, local mollusks and other favorites. However, the exhibits surrounding the aquariums have been redesigned to dive deeper into the biology and behavior of mollusks, as well as their care and husbandry.
The new exhibits are curated by museum curator and Science Director Dr. José H. Leal, with support from Executive Director Sam Ankerson. They are designed by Matter Practice of New York City, whose recent projects include exhibits for the National Building Museum, Cooper Hewitt Design Museum and Norton Museum of Art, among others.
Great Hall of Shells
The Great Hall of Shells houses exhibits of shells from around the world and debuted when the museum opened in 1995. The space has been fully redesigned to exhibit a greater number and diversity of shells, featuring approximately 3,500 specimens with an array of beauty and global biodiversity. Special exhibit focuses will include Southwest Florida shells, world-record-sized shells, deep-sea species, land snails and ancient fossils. An expanded section of exhibits about shells in human culture will include spotlights on shells in currency, adornment, music, art, architecture, spirituality, food, collecting and medicine.
A new section of the Great Hall devoted to conservation and environmental education will include exhibits on regional water quality, climate change, invasive species, aquaculture and restoration initiatives. Also included will be a new family activity area.
For progress updates and reopening status, visit www.ShellMuseum.org/post-ian-progress.
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is at 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.
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