House & Walking Tours
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Tours of Historic Palm Cottage
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, the Palm Cottage™ house museum invites visitors to experience the rustic, hand-crafted charm of Old Naples through tours where well-informed Docents 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).
Walking Tours of the Naples Historic District
Let us lead you on a one-mile walking tour through the Naples Historic District, a Landmark listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 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 the complexities or extent of the Society’s Naples Historic District Initiative, a project that culminated in legislation (with a unanimous City Council vote) to help homeowners preserve and rehabilitate their historic houses.
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 4, 2021
National Museum Day: September 18, 2021
Veteran’s Day: November 13, 2021
Martin Luther King Day: January 15, 2022
Black History Month: February 5, 2022
Valentine’s Day: February 12, 2022
St. Patrick’s Day: March 19, 2022
Preservation Month (observed): May 7, 2022
Mother’s Day: May 7, 2022
Memorial Day: May 28, 2022
Father’s Day: June 18, 2022
BOGO Walking Tours of the Naples Historic District
June 15, 2022
July 20, 2022
August 17, 2022
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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