Protect Palm Cottage in Perpetuity!

The Purchase

In March of 2021 Naples Historical Society was offered a right-of-first-refusal to purchase the property adjacent to Historic Palm Cottage™.  It sits just to the east of the Cottage.  We could not refuse that offer!  The address is 163 12^th Avenue South.

This house, along with Historic Palm Cottage and dozens of other historic structures, is nestled in the National Register-recognized Naples Historic District. (Click here to see a map of the Naples Historic District.)

The property at 163 12^th Avenue South includes a residential building that sits on a large parcel of land (the main house), and there is a charming little guest house as well, all of 600 sq. ft.  The purchase price for the entire lot was $4,200,000.  If we didn’t buy the property, it would have been sold the moment it came on the market. 

We know this house would have been torn down in an instant if we didn’t buy it.  A demolished house gives way for a massive house.  A massive house next door to and looming over Historic Palm Cottage would be a permanent travesty.  We have ensured that will never happen!  

Re-development Plans

We have embarked on a plan to re-develop the property through what’s called “adaptive re-use.” This refers to repurposing the building, making it viable for another, better, use.

Our plan is to create an informative series of museum exhibits (totaling approximately 1,000 square feet) for the interior of the “house.” Then, we’ll build and showcase a meandering pathway surrounding the house that will feature informative signage, or “history stations,” that chronicle Naples’ history. We plan to highlight many decades-old fruit trees that grace the property as well. Re-development costs total $300,000. 

The museum exhibit and surrounding pathway will complement existing tours of Historic Palm Cottage, adding tremendous value to every tour.  This re-development plan will give donors and visitors alike an opportunity to satisfy their intellectual curiosities about our local history.  They will also receive extraordinary satisfaction knowing that they have helped protect Palm Cottage in perpetuity.

Access to this new museum exhibit and pathway will be part of regular tour admission for Historic Palm Cottage after re-development is completed.  The projected completion date is the spring of 2024.

Mary & Stephen Byron Smith offered a $1 Million Match Challenge and the Challenge has been met in full!

We are profoundly grateful for their remarkable generosity and for that of the many other donors who have shown extraordinary support.  The project is named the Smith Exhibit Hall in appropriate recognition of the Smith’s matching gift.

Donations & Gift Recognition

Although we are in the midst of re-development plans, we are offering recognition for your financial support.  A current gift will not only be helpful to the Society, it will hold your place in line for your preferred and available naming opportunity item.  Of course, we will keep you apprised of our plans as we move forward.

There are many ways to participate with Naples Historical Society’s endeavor to protect Palm Cottage in perpetuity!  Choose your investment preference from the many options below.  Note that public access will not be authorized until the property has been re-zoned and construction has completed (projected fall 2023).  

Please see the Property Map for 163 12th Avenue South.

For a plaque on a Fence Picket, print this form and return it with your payment.

For larger gifts, please call the Society for more information: 239-261-8164. 

 THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF LIVING HISTORY!

What history are you making right now?  

Our mailing address:
Naples Historical Society
Capital Campaign
P.O. Box 201
Naples, FL  34106

Historic Palm Cottage
(to take a tour, not to send U.S.P.S. mail)
137 12th Avenue South
Naples 34102
(239) 261-8164

www.NaplesHistoricalSociety.org

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
Registration #CH810.

Naples Historical Society is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation.