MOTI: 2014 Membership Drive under way for Museum of the Islands
The Museum of the Islands is launching its 2014 Membership Drive with free months through December 2013 if you join now. Our own local museum captures the history of Pine Island with a variety of exhibits and collections, ranging from the time of the Calusas through the horse and buggy days, to more recent events. As MOTI President Sharon Traylor has said, “Keeping our history alive makes you want to support a place where we can preserve and display it.”
Large murals adorn the walls and dioramas are displayed in glass cases. Visitors enjoy the collection of old tools, mechanical devices and fishing equipment; still others love the old dolls and household items. A popular feature is the large revolving display board of old photographs, clippings, maps and documents. Century old document replicas, including the census, are available in the museum.
MOTI’s gift shop is another favorite. A fine collection of books with topics ranging from ancient history to shell collecting to Florida’s rivers to local history to local authors’ best sellers is available for sale. Crafts and decorative items along with cards, photos, videotapes, and DVDs are also for sale.
School classes, church groups, civic groups, senior citizens and various clubs have toured the museum, learning about Pine Island’s rich history. Visitors from across this country and from other lands drop in, full of curiosity and questions about Pine Island. Many people who travel through the states have discovered small, local museums in different towns and they love to stop by and learn about the place they are travelling through. MOTI has become such a destination. Locals enjoy sharing the museum with visiting relatives and friends as an interesting activity for an afternoon. Even family members have come by to research their ancestors’ place on the island, through old photographs and documents.
Our little local museum is a place for locals, tourists, travelers and researchers to cherish. MOTI membership provides an opportunity for people to be part of this vital, important cultural institution on Pine Island. Perusing the collections, gaining knowledge about local history or volunteering for tasks at the museum enhance your contribution to the community in which you live.
Learning about the history of the place in which we live or visit or vacation gives us a stronger sense of place, a stronger sense of community and a stronger sense of wanting to take care of this special island.
Join us and your fellow residents. Become a member of MOTI today. Help keep our Pine Island history alive.
MOTI memberships run from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 and are only $10 per year for an individual. If you join now for 2014, you receive the months of November and December, 2013, for free! For information on becoming a member, please contact membership chairperson Tim Knox at info@pineisland.info. Or stop by the museum and pick up a membership form.
MOTI is located at 5728 Sesame Drive, at the Center (across from the library). Phone: 239-283-1525. Summer hours are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Winter hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, 1-4 p.m., November through April.
It’s time to renew your membership to the Museum of the Islands. Or, if you are new to the island, it’s time to join!
Lynn Sarda is MOTI publicist.