The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village reopened to visitors for the season on Dec. 2.

New Executive Director Mark Harmon explained that prior to opening its doors, the village hosted one of the Luminary season events on Dec. 1 along with other island entities and received a great turnout.

“I think everyone was really pleased with our opening with the ‘Deck The Shore,'” he said.

Harmon added that island residents and visitors have been stopping by since the reopening.

When the village closed early for the off-season at the end of May, four of the nine buildings on the property had been able to reopen to visitors after the damage from Hurricane Ian in September of 2022.

With the start of the new season, the same four buildings are open again and consist of the old Bailey General Store, Morning Glories, Shore Haven and Caretakers’ Cottage, along with the post office.

“The contractor fixed all of the storm damage on those five buildings,” he said.

Harmon explained that three of the other buildings at the village — Miss Charlotta’s Tea Room, the Burnap Cottage and Rutland House — have been repaired and are waiting on approval to reopen.

“We’re waiting for the official notice from the city and the contractor,” he said. “Then we can start utilizing them again.”

The ninth and final building, the schoolhouse, still requires work.

“All of their efforts right now are focused on the schoolhouse,” Harmon said of the contractor.

“They’ve done a great amount of work,” he added.

The schoolhouse has been straightened and the damaged wall that had to be dissembled has been put back up. The belfry and chimney need to be worked on, along with the front porch and windows.

“Some of the walkways need to be rebuilt,” Harmon said of the nearby pavers.

The village’s operating hours for season are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We’re not doing formal tours,” he said of the guided tours that have been offered before based upon docent availability. “Just whenever people come through, we’ll take them through the buildings.”

During the month of December, admission is free.

“Because we cannot offer them all of the buildings,” Harmon said.

However, donations are always welcome.

“It does help us operate the village and make plans for the future, for instance the next exhibits and such,” he said.

The public is invited to stop by and take in some island history.

“I think it’s great for both residents and visitors to come see the village and have an understanding of how Sanibel got to where we are today,” Harmon said. “That includes not just what the island has experienced through Ian but previous storms and other milestones that the island has encountered, such as the incorporation of the city nearly 50 years ago.”

For more information, visit sanibelmuseum.org or contact 239-472-4648.

The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village is at 950 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.