The Estero Island Historic Society cottage is open to visitors on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon, October through May.
Estero Island Historic Society Launches New
Fort Myers Beach Murder Mysteries Series
Explore the Dark Side of Fort Myers Beach History on March 1 & 22, 2025
The Estero Island Historic Society is thrilled to introduce an exciting new program that delves into the shadowy past of Fort Myers Beach. Join us for Murder Mysteries of Fort Myers Beach, a captivating discussion series that unearths some of the area’s most intriguing and mysterious events.
Join us for Murder Mysteries of FMB kicks off on Saturday, March 22 at 11 AM, with a deep dive into the Galloway Murders—a shocking crime that shook the quiet fishing village of Fort Myers Beach in the 1950s. Participants will explore the details of this chilling case and its impact on the island’s history.
Both events will take place at the Estero Island Historic Society at 161 Bay Road and are open to the public. History enthusiasts, mystery lovers, and true crime fans alike won’t want to miss these fascinating discussions.
About the Estero Island Historic Society
The Estero Island Historic Society is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of Fort Myers Beach and its surrounding areas. Through educational programs, exhibits, and community events, the society brings the island’s past to life for residents and visitors alike.
Estero Island Historic Society
Presents
Join us for the final public meeting and presentation of spring 2025
Slaves To Citizens - The Freedmen's Bureau in Florida 1865-1872
Presented by Robert N. Macomber, Historian and Award-winning Author
Monday, March 10, 2025
2 p.m.
Fort Myers Beach Public Library, 3rd floor
Space is limited. Please click this link to register.
Join multi-award-winning author and internationally acclaimed lecturer Robert N. Macomber to learn about what happened to the 61,745 slaves in Florida at the end of the Civil War.
You'll hear about tremendous efforts by U.S. Army officers, church missionaries, and volunteer doctors to assimilate former slaves into society as productive citizens. You'll learn about what worked and what didn't, the special fact-finding mission to our coastal area of Southwest Florida, how some Floridians tried to thwart the effort, and the legacies of that turbulent time which echoed into the 1960s. This is a little-known but very important part of Florida's fascinating history.
Robert N. Macomber
Robert N. Macomber is a multi-award winning author, internationally acclaimed lecturer, former Dept. of Defense consultant, commentator for TV and film, adventurous expedition leader, and an accomplished seaman. He was named “2020 Florida Writer of the Year” by the FL Writers Association.
He is best known for the 17 novels comprising his “Honor Series”, the popular maritime thrillers that describe the life and career of his protagonist, a U.S. naval officer, Peter Wake, from the American Civil War in Florida, beyond the Spanish-American War in 1898, and well into the 1900s with Wake’s legacy stretching for generations.
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