Historical Society Events
Events offered at Naples Historical Society’s Historic Palm Cottage!
Our Tours
Our Events
Garden Side Chickee Chats
Every Chat begins at 11am at Naples Historical Society’s Historic Palm Cottage:
137 12th Avenue South, Naples FL 34102.
Past topics include the history of The Cove Inn, Victorian fashions in early SWFL, southern-style bluegrass, and more! Have an idea to share? Call us!
Friday, January 27, 2023. Real Estate History & Naples Historic District Update presented by Ray Carroll (5th generation Pioneer family) and Elaine Reed (Society President & CEO).
Friday, February 24, 2023. The History of the Naples Airport presented by Zachary Burch, NAA Communications Manager.
Friday, March 31, 2023: Chester & Friends. This annual lecture series in the heart of the season features local speakers who showcase a variety of topics related to our history.
Chairs are provided for each Garden Side Chickee Chat, but please bring your sun hats and sun glasses!
Members are FREE! Non-members $8. Reservations are required.
Rain or shine! Refunds will be available upon request if the Society cancels the event for any reason, such as inclement weather. Or, you may choose to make a donation!
Call for additional information: 239-261-8164.
Brew in the Norris Gardens
January 27, 2023 5-8pm.
Brew in the Norris Gardens at Historic Palm Cottage Friday, January 27, 2023 5pm to 8pm.
Naples Historical Society is excited to salute our City for its Centennial (1923 – 2023) by providing a Naples Nitro brew among other crowd pleasing beers. Past Brews have included Palm Cottage Pilsner, Haldeman Hops and Li’l Louisville Lager.
Historic Palm Cottage is closed for tours on this day because of hurricane Ian restoration. We hope you will help us ring in the New Year together with this wonderful event. Bring your friends! Reservations are required. $25/pp, Members $15.
Call for additional information: 239-261-8164
Croquet — Two Events!
March 9, 2023: Croquet & Chardonnay (Evening Event)
A new Society community event, is the perfect opportunity to learn about the fascinating history of croquet from the United States Croquet Association of Southwest Florida. You can hit a wooden ball with a proper mallet and sip a bit of wine in between! 4 – 7pm. $25/pp, Members $15. Light refreshments and free Cottage tours are included. Reservations required.
July 8, 2023: Summer at the Cottage (Daytime event)
What fun! Bring the kids for croquet, cornhole and more at the cottage while you’re surrounded by gardens that tell the story of Naples’ history. Society Rules! 1– 4pm. Free event for all. Tour of Historic Palm Cottage FREE. No reservations needed to enjoy The Norris Gardens or play games.
Call for additional information: 239-261-8164.
The Norris Gardens
Membership Mixer
In the old days, the Society’s Member Mixers presented an opportunity for the general membership to get together, make new friends, and discuss Naples history.
Today, we do the same thing…plus a little bit more! Meet like-minded people who appreciate local history and learn about the Society’s progress and plans for the future.
Join the Society today to enjoy all of the benefits of membership, and receive an invitation to this noteworthy Member Mixer: Thursday, March 23, 2023, from 5-7pm. FREE event for all members in good standing! Refreshments are included.
This FREE annual event is the best place to meet like-minded history lovers and others who appreciate the charm of historic houses, especially Historic Palm Cottage.
Christmas at Historic Palm Cottage
Christmas at Historic Palm Cottage™ will be delayed or canceled due to Hurricane Ian. The Cottage took a terrible hit and is undergoing professional restoration now. Your patience, understanding and kind wishes will be appreciated.
Celebrate a wonderful time of the year at the merriest place in Naples, Historic Palm Cottage, during our annual holiday showcase. Perfect for families!
If you love the sound of sleigh bells and the site of twinkling lights as much as you enjoy learning about the history of Naples, then you won’t want to miss this year’s Christmas at Palm Cottage! Historic Palm Cottage will be appropriately dressed for the occasion, showcasing elegant holiday decor to warm the hearts of visitors.
Call for additional information: 239-261-8164 or explore booking options in the following link.
Christmas Gala Fundraiser
With enormous regret, we have to cancel the Christmas Gala this year due to Hurricane Ian. We have a plan for those who RSVP’d, please call 1.239.261.8164 or email nhs@napleshistoricalsociety.org.
Honorary Chairs for the 2022 event are Nancy & Tom Gallagher, owners of a beautifully rehabilitated historic house in the Naples Historic District. Nancy and Tom are featured, in addition to other owners of historic houses, in the Society’s popular 23-minute video about historic rehabilitation in Naples, Our Community’s Expectations!
(Return to the website home page to view the video.)
The Christmas Gala at Historic Palm Cottage is our once annual fundraiser to support all of the Society’s educational programs and initiatives.
Friday, December 2, 2022 at 6:30pm
Historic Palm Cottage & The Norris Gardens
Season’s Benefactors: Stephanie & Richard Prebish!
Valet, Black-tie.
Limited Seating!
For sponsor or ticket information at 239.261.8164.
Council of Longtime Friends
Join a rare group of local residents. The Council of Longtime Friends is a treasured group of old-timers and old-timer family members who are the final arbiter of Naples past and who help build the Society’s archives by providing identification information on many archival photos.
Remember the old water tower? Maybe you spent some time at the Paw Paw Patch! We need help from our Longtime Friends to ensure our understanding of the past is accurate.
The Council of Longtime Friends, an annual event, will meet next year on Friday, October 6, 2023, from 5-7pm.
Not an old-timer, but been in Naples a long time? Join us! This is a FREE event and refreshments are available. Become a part of this important social group. Call the Society for more information, 239-261-8164.
What Naples Historical Society is all about…
The Society’s mission is to preserve Naples history and heritage for the community and future generations to enjoy. We are widely recognized as the Central Voice of Naples History.
The strategy we employ to accomplish our mission is through the strategic and efficient production of ten (10) educational programs and five (5) preservation initiatives (see also What Do We Do?).
The Society’s flagship asset is also its Educational Headquarters — Historic Palm Cottage™. This 3,500 sq. ft. house-turned museum (which is Naples oldest house, built in 1895) is listed as a Landmark in the National Register of Historic Places (listed in 1982). The Cottage serves as the portal to Naples history and is enjoyed by tens of thousands of children, residents and visitors alike every year.
Be a living part of Naples history by taking a tour, attending an event, or getting involved with other like-minded people at Naples Historical Society’s Historic Palm Cottage!”
About Naples Historical Society