Tours of the Historic Sites
Burroughs Home
As the site of many social events hosted by the Fort Myers elite, including the Edisons, Fords, and Firestones, this 1901 Georgian Revival Mansion was built in the Georgian Revival style. While you sit in a rocking chair on the veranda and watch the river roll gently by, you will find yourself surrounded by live oaks and lush gardens.
The historic home tour will teach you about Fort Myers’ history and tell you colorful tales of life in one of the area’s oldest houses.
- The office is open from 11 am to 3 pm on Tuesdays to Fridays
- The Museum is open to self-guided tours. The rate is $4.00.
- The Victorian home is open for guided tours by appointment only. It costs six dollars.
- Private events are also welcome.
- Downtown Fort Myers, on the Caloosahatchee River. Ph. 332-6125.
www.burroughshome.com
Southwest Florida Museum of History
http://www.swflmuseumofhistory.com
A special emphasis is placed on the history and traditions of Fort Myers and Southwest Florida at the Southwest Florida Museum of History.”
A block south of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is the Southwest Florida Museum of History, located at 2031 Jackson Street. Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s historic Boulevard. Myers. Opening hours are 10 am to 5 pm from Tuesday through Saturday. Ph. (239)321-7430
The Museum houses the history of Southwest Florida in the former Atlantic Coastline Railroad depot. Our exhibits feature Paleo Indians, the Calusa, the Seminoles, Spanish explorers, and early settlers. A replica of a pioneer “cracker” house, a fire pumper from 1926, and a private rail car from 1929 are also included in the tour.
The Museum houses a large collection of artifacts that detail early civilizations in Fort Myers, the Fort, the first settlers, the cowboys, turn of the century life, agriculture, boating, and fishing.
Koreshan State Historic Site
- We are open Monday-Friday from 9 am-1 pm; Saturday-Sunday from 1 pm.
- We offer special tours upon request.
- Opening hours are 8 am daily. Until sundown. U.S. 41 at Corkscrew Road, Estero. 992-0311.
Edison-Ford Winter Estates
www.edisonfordwinterestates.org
Edison & Ford Winter Estates Museum includes nine historic buildings and gardens in Fort Myers, including Edison Botanic Research Laboratory, an Edison Ford Museum, and the Edison Ford Botanic Garden.
The Edison main house and the guest and caretaker houses, and the Ford house are among the well-preserved buildings. An award-winning moonlight garden is included in the historic gardens created in 1929. In addition to hundreds of his inventions and artifacts, the Edison Ford Museum houses several special exhibits.
The walking tour takes about 60 minutes and covers about one mile. Bring comfortable walking shoes. All pets are prohibited on the property except guide dogs. Wheelchairs are limited. At the entrance to Edison Ford, there is disabled access from the parking lot. Parking for buses and RVs is also available.
Under shade trees, there is a picnic area with tables. Edison Ford brochures can also be obtained at the ticket office for an additional $3.00; English, German, French and Spanish site maps are available.
Open Monday – Saturday 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sunday 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm
For admission prices, please go to: http://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org/about/hours-tickets-directions/ or call 334-7419.