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All the United States Florida Sanibel The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

In a city crazy for seashells this museum educates and amazes visitors using the wonder of cast-off exoskeletons.

Sanibel, Florida

Added By
Anna Marlis Burgard
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CAPTION
A sailor’s valentine.   Invertzoo on Wikipedia
Feet-deep banks of shells call for different tools to find treasure.   Anna Marlis Burgard / Atlas Obscura User
The variety and quantity of shells, seaweed and egg cases on Sanibel and Captiva make interesting sand sculpture decorations.   Anna Marlis Burgard / Atlas Obscura User
The Calusa tribe were not just shell tool makers, but were engineers of canal systems.   Anna Marlis Burgard / Atlas Obscura User
Who knew that scallops have up to 100 blue eyes?   Anna Marlis Burgard / Atlas Obscura User
Shells are more common than flowers on Captiva’s tombstones.   Anna Marlis Burgard / Atlas Obscura User
Exotic & Rare Shells at Bailey Matthews   FloridaResident / Atlas Obscura User
Exterior of Bailey Matthews National Shell Museum   FloridaResident / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Now that’s a SHELL!   FloridaResident / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Bailey Matthews National Shell Museum   FloridaResident / Atlas Obscura User
Exotic & Rare Shells at Bailey Matthews   FloridaResident / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Beachcombing on the Gulf Coast shores of Sanibel and Captiva Islands could be considered a competitive sport.

Tourists and residents alike troll the sand at low tide, often before first light, bent over in the "Sanibel stoop" with their special scooping rakes (sold at the local hardware store) sifting for rare prizes including the golden olive, scotch bonnet, or alphabet cone. When one is found, the local paper, The Island Sun, makes an announcement. Much as in other places around the world, shells help decorate sand castles and other beach sculptures but here they are so beloved that they also adorn tombstones in Captiva's small graveyard. 

These beaches are mecca for shell collectors, so it isn't a surprise to find a museum devoted to these beautiful, abandoned mollusk homes. The Bailey-Matthews National Museum includes exhibits about the Calusa Indians who once called the region home—a tribe that built canals and used tools made from various shells. It also showcases art and craft forms that use shells, including cameos and sailors' valentines. There are also little-known facts shared, including that scallops have scores of blue eyes.

The Bailey-Matthews is a resource for scientists, students, and research institutions on marine, terrestrial, and land mollusks of the Gulf of Mexico and Florida. The museum’s outreach program visits local schools, community centers, shell clubs, retirement homes, and church groups. It also creates study plans and collection kits that are used in 2,000 museums and schools nationwide, and around the world. As Dr. Jose Leal, the Museum’s director and curator says, “The Bailey-Matthews completes the shelling experience on Sanibel’s or the outer islands’ beaches by both entertaining and informing visitors.”

Related Tags

Animals Museums And Collections Museums

Know Before You Go

When you leave, you will be delightfully encouraged to find your own shell treasures for which Sanibel is famous. The best beaches for this are Blind Pass Beach on the East side and and Bowman's Beach on the west, heading toward Captiva. As of June 2019, the museum is currently closed, but if you stay at Island Inn, they offer beach tours led by the Shell Museum scientists. It's free for guests and only a nominal fee for others.

Community Contributors

Added By

Anna Marlis Burgard

Edited By

Martin, leslipeterson, Edward Denny, EricGrundhauser...

  • Martin
  • leslipeterson
  • Edward Denny
  • EricGrundhauser
  • FloridaResident
  • Collector of Experiences

Published

January 12, 2015

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  • https://thevacationgals.com/top-things-to-do-on-sanibel-island/
  • https://www.shellmuseum.org/
  • https://365atlantatraveler.com/things-to-do-on-sanibel-island/
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
3075 Sanibel Captiva Road
Sanibel, Florida, 33957
United States
26.438141, -82.092671
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