Marco Island Historical Society Gearing Up for Summer of Giving 2026

The Marco Island Historical Society (MIHS) is launching Summer of Giving 2026, a fundraising campaign to support the conservation and installation of two massive historic gears that once raised and lowered the loading ramp on the original Marco Island ferry. Once conserved, the gears will become a permanent feature in the Marco Island Historical Museum’s Pioneer Era gallery.

Before a bridge connected Marco Island to the mainland, the island depended on a ferry. From 1912 to 1938, every vehicle, visitor, and shipment bound for Marco Island crossed by way of a ferry. Today, all that physically remains of this vital link to the island’s past are two iron gears, together weighing approximately 400 pounds.

“Saving and sharing Marco Island’s unique history is what the Marco Island Historical Society is all about,” said MIHS CEO Pat Rutledge. “The ferry gears were rescued from the river bottom and saved from oblivion. They are a tangible connection to Marco Island’s past and conserving them ensures that future generations can experience and appreciate this important piece of our history.”

Donations of any amount to help preserve the historic ferry gears and install them as a permanent exhibit will be recognized on an acknowledgment panel in the museum’s Pioneer Era Gallery. To be included on the panel, contributions must be received by August 10, 2026. For information about giving levels or to donate, visit themihs.org or call 239-389-6447.

The Marco Island Historical Museum is located at 180 S. Heathwood Drive. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission is free and the site is fully ADA compliant and accessible to all visitors.