ANNA MARIA – What’s old is new again at the newly-renovated Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum.

Located in the Historical Park at 402 Pine Avenue in Anna Maria, the museum reopened to visitors Tuesday morning. A grand opening will take place in November.

Last week, Historical Society President Maureen McCormick provided a tour of the renovations that took place after the museum was temporarily closed in September.

When asked what’s new, McCormick said, “Everything. What was once a thing of panel boards and cases is now a wide open space. We have a much better flow and we tell the story of the Island in a chronological manner now. We have a new color-coded timeline that tells the story of the three cities, juxtaposed against national events too.”

Pointing to the timeline display, McCormick said, “People can pull out the drawers and look at the fun things contained inside.”

The museum now has a map kiosk that includes maps and aerial photos displayed on a digital screen; and McCormick pointed out a new wall-mounted map she is particularly proud of.

“This map was never available; we were able to obtain the rights to it,” she said of the map that shows the Island when it was known as Palm Key.

“This is the original homesteads; this is how the Island was given way by the federal government under the Homestead Act of 1862 and the Land Act of 1820.”

Story time

The museum experience is enhanced by volunteer docents who share their local knowledge, and volunteer docents are always needed, especially during summer months.

“We talk about the first settlers and what they did. People are amazed when they learn this was once a homesteaded island, and the government gave people this land. They just love the stories and the charm of it all. The story of the pier, the Anna Maria Beach Company and how Holmes Beach developed. We talk about the post-war boom and also tell the fishing stories.”

Pointing to a vacant space, McCormick said a new exhibit was expected to be installed this week.

“We’ll have the story of Jack Holmes and his development of the center of the Island.”

Betty’s wish

Standing by the front door that faces Pine Avenue, McCormick said longtime museum volunteer and board member, Betty Yanger’s wish has finally come true.

“Betty always dreamed of having that front door open. It was blocked in the past, and we’d lose people who didn’t know to come around to the side door.”

The museum also has new thermal windows that will help protect the exhibits from the Florida sun while making the museum more energy efficient. New floors also were installed.

Team effort

“The board went out and pursued the grants and asked for the money. We had matching grants from the Florida Department of Cultural Affairs. We worked with a preservationist, Ashley Burke from Burke Preservation, and Ashely helped us obtain the grants from the state,” McCormick explained.

“John Crane went to the TDC (Manatee County Tourist Development Council) and wrote the story of why we felt we needed this, and they were able to give us $25,000 in matching funds for the capital improvements that we would match that with other gifts, which we got from Lizzie Vann, the Bishop Foundation, the AMI Chamber of Commerce Save the Trolley Fund and the Mary E. Parker Foundation. Without their generous support this would not have been possible.”

McCormick served as the project manager and managed the grant paperwork, but she was quick to share credit for a group accomplishment.

“Many hands made light work of this,” she said, noting that Lynn Brennan and Nancy Deal were among those who worked diligently on the project.

“The city’s been wonderful to us with our lease and giving us this space,” she added.

Having toured the renovated museum, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said, “I think it’s beautiful. I can’t wait to bring by grandchildren when they come to visit for Thanksgiving.”

City tour and more

The museum reopening coincides with the release of the new Historic Anna Maria City Tour brochure that is now available.

“I call it a walking tour, but you can walk or bike it. It tells the story of each of the places you’re seeing, when they were built and what makes that spot special,” McCormick said.

The Historical Society will also place new signs outside in the Historical Park that will tell the stories of the Old City Jail, Pine Avenue, the beach, Belle Haven Cottage and the houses on the end of the pier.

The Anna Maria Island Historical Society also has a new YouTube channel that offers oral and video histories shared by residents who helped shape the Island community.

Visit www.youtube.com and search for the Anna Maria Island Historical Society.

Members wanted

Admission to the museum is free, but membership is encouraged.

“We are a small organization and we depend on our retail sales, donations and memberships,” McCormick said.

A single membership is $20, a family membership is $30 and a North American Reciprocal Museums (NARM) membership is $100. NARM memberships provide free admission to more than 680 museums, including the Ringling Museum in Sarasota and the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. until January, when the hours are extended until 4 p.m. through season.

“We have grown our visitorship from 500 or a 1,000 a year to more than 7,000,”

McCormick said.

“The museum allows people to engage with the Island on another level. They get to see another dimension to it, the story behind the place they enjoy. I hope they take away a greater and different appreciation for the Island and the people who helped create what we refer to as Old Florida,” she said.

Visit the Historical Society online at www.amihs.org or call 941-778-0492 for more information.