House & Walking Tours
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Tours of Historic Palm Cottage
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Saturday 12pm to 4pm
For tours of Historic Palm Cottage in December, please click “Christmas at Palm Cottage!” to be re-directed to our festive, annual holiday tours.
At the corner of 12th Avenue South and Gulfshore Boulevard sits an exquisite example of Naples authentic charm, Historic Palm Cottage™. Under the stewardship of Naples Historical Society, Palm Cottage™ — a house museum — invites visitors to experience the rustic, hand-crafted charm of Old Naples. Tours are led by well-informed Docents who share unique insights, historic facts and colorful tales about this local architectural gem and the community surrounding it. When a volunteer docent isn’t available, guests will be provided with a professionally written pamphlet and take a self-guided tour (available in several languages!).
Historic Palm Cottage, the oldest house in Naples (built in 1895), is constructed of tabby mortar, a hand-made concrete consisting of sand, shells and water. This two-story house was built by one of Naples’ founding residents, Walter N. Haldeman, and boasts 3,500 square feet of original and donated artwork, furnishings and tools spanning back to 1895. Palm Cottage is listed as a Landmark in the National Register of Historic Places.
A tour of Historic Palm Cottage (self-guided or docent-guided) includes a stroll through The Norris Gardens at Palm Cottage and access to the Archival Viewing Center (formerly, the Guest House) to watch a 24-minute Telly-Award winning video about Naples’ past.
Enjoyment of The Norris Gardens and film in the Viewing Center is good only for the day of your tour; please manage your schedule accordingly — the Cottage closes at 4pm. OR, apply $10 from your day’s admission to new or renewing Membership and return for FREE throughout the year!
Society Docent, Jim Glick (far-left), leads a tour of the Cottage (2020).
The Society’s Official Walking Tour of the Naples Historic District
Alert
There is a group in town offering “free” walking tours of Old Naples. Please do not confuse their tour with the Society’s OFFICIAL, researched, and long-standing Walking Tours of the Naples Historic District.
Sadly, we can report that the organizer of the free tours booked a Society walking tour in March of 2018, apparently took notes, and is now offering free tours. The Society is a registered charitable entity with the State of Florida. Every tour admission dollar goes toward the maintenance of Historic Palm Cottage™, Naples oldest house which is listed as a Landmark in the National Register.
The efforts of the free tour organizer are contrary to the spirit of building friendships in a community. We thank you, in advance, for choosing the Society’s OFFICIAL Walking Tour of the Naples Historic District!
Let us lead you on a one-mile walking tour through the Naples Historic District. This tour was originally researched and produced by Society staff and volunteers, and the icing on the cake is that this tour is endorsed by the Blue Zones Project of Southwest Florida!
You will be able to imagine Naples as it was at the end of the nineteenth century. Walk along historic Third Street South and learn where the original movie theater, general store and gas station once operated. Visit the location where the Naples Hotel once stood and hosted such guests as Rose Cleveland. Stroll through Old Naples where notables such as the Briggs, the DuPonts and the city’s founders, the Haldemans once lived.
Visitors will pass many historic houses in the Naples Historic District on this tour. While your Docent is exceptionally knowledgeable about the history of Naples, she or he may not know of the complexities of the Society’s Naples Historic District Initiative, a project that culminated in legislation to help homeowners preserve and rehabilitate their historic houses. Call the Society if you want to know more about Historic Rehabilitation in Naples. We look forward to sharing Naples’ history with you!
John Telischak, Society Education Manager, presents the important history of the Old Naples Canal, which cut through the existing Naples Historic District! (2020)
Walking Tours of the Naples Historic District begin and end at Historic Palm Cottage, Naples oldest house, located at 137 12th Avenue South.
FREE Tours at Historic Palm Cottage
Every Saturday in August 2022 for Collier County Residents!
BOGO One-Day Only
Labor Day: September 3, 2022
Veteran’s Day: November 12, 2022
Happy New Year: January 7, 2023
Valentine’s Day: February 11, 2023
Cinco De Mayo: April 29, 2023
Mother’s Day: May 13, 2023
Memorial Day: May 27, 2023
Father’s Day: June 17, 2023
Independence Day: July 1, 2023
BOGO Walking Tours of the Naples Historic District
June 14, 2023
July 19, 2023
August 16, 2023
This is the quintessential place to unlock Naples’ early history. Be sure to go on both the walking and house tour. You will discover little gems sprinkled all over Old NAPLES which will give you a real appreciation for how far it has come. The docents are volunteers and do a great job.
Cottage Briefs, e-Newsletter
Naples Historical Society strives to educate the community and visitors alike about Naples Historical Society’s projects, events and plans.
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