What's New
Upcoming activities and recent Shell Museum developments. Also, check "General Information."
March 4, 2010
The Shell Museum will be closed on Sunday, March 7, date of its annual Under-the-Sea Fundraiser. The Museum will resume its normal operation hours on Monday, March 8, 2010.
February 20, 2010
On March 2, 2010 at 10 a.m., renowned island author,Charles Sobczak will provide a program for The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. He will share his experiences compiling the material for his most recent book. This is one you won't want to miss!
February 20, 2010
Shells Shine and So Do the Museum’s Volunteers: Shell Museum Hosting Open House In Search Of Volunteers
A docent is an indispensable member of a museum team. Their role is designed to educate, intrigue and assist visitors and to participate in various public outreach programs designed to generate interest in the mission of the Museum and encourage future generations of researchers, educators, and collectors.
February 20, 2010
Shell Show's Judges Program to be held at the Shell Museum On Friday March 5, 2010, at 5:45 p.m.
February 19, 2010
On March 3, 2010, at 2 p.m. at The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Dr. José H. Leal, director/curator for The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum will present his program, “Rare and Unusual Shells from the Museum Collection.” The rarity of some of the Museum’s collection will be compared with other world rarities like the Mona Lisa and the Hope Diamond.
February 10, 2010
The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum and The Timbers Restaurant and Fish Market announce the First Edible Mollusk Festival
and Oyster-Eating Contest
February 8, 2010
Coming Soon: "Under The Sea" - fund raising event of the year!
February 6, 2010
Dr. Greg Tolley’s “lunar lander” doesn’t settle on the surface of the moon but rather on the floor of the Caloosahatchee River.
February 1, 2010
Group photo taken at the first meeting of Florida United Malacologists (FUM), Shell Museum, January 30, 2010
January 29, 2010
January 11, 2010
Shell Museum News No. 75
December 22, 2009
The winter shelling season is off to an exciting start with the discovery of a giant tun on Saturday.
October 30, 2009
Dr. José H. Leal, Executive Director of The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum will join in the celebration by offering a program at the Museum on November 12, 2009 at 2 p.m.
October 26, 2009
FUM Coming to the Shell Museum on Saturday, January 30, 2009!
October 12, 2009
Dr. José H. Leal, Director/Curator of The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum has announced that the Museum was awarded a "Culture Builds Florida" grant by State of Florida's Division of Cultural Affairs. The grant will augment private donations designated for development of a new exhibit.
September 28, 2009
Dr. José H. Leal, Director/Curator of The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, announced that the Museum was awarded an Arts and Attractions Grant by the Southwest Florida Community Foundation in partnership with the Tourist Development Council, City of Fort Myers, and the Alliance for the Arts.
September 18, 2009
In 2005, Harlan found two alphabet cones, each displaying the pattern of his initials, HEW. This was the beginning of Harlan’s obsession with the letters on alphabet cones, an obsession that led to the publication of a four-page color brochure titled, Alphabet cones: Living, Learning Tools. The brochure includes all twenty-six letters of the alphabet and the numerals one through twelve. Harlan has generously donated the brochure to The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum.
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September 11, 2009
Voted "Best Of The Island" in Museum Category
August 28, 2009
The first meeting of the Florida United Malacologists (FUM) will occur Saturday, January 30, 2010, at The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum (BMSM) in Sanibel, Florida. The one-day gathering is designed to enhance communication among professional, amateur, and student malacologists, with topics including but not limited to biology, ecology, paleontology, archaeology, and conservation.
August 11, 2009
Cartoons provide the perfect medium for introducing children to drawing. Children, especially young children, have fewer creative/artistic inhibitions than adults.
August 4, 2009
Museum Offers New Program For Families On Vacation
July 26, 2009
Dr. Gary Schmelz and Anne Joffe will be leading a Shell Museum sponsored trip to Chub Cay from October 27, 2009 to November 3, 2009.
July 3, 2009
Ryan Paravate of Cumming, Georgia won the children’s coloring contest
June 20, 2009
Winner Awarded Museum Store Gift Certificate
May 12, 2009
The Shell Museum was the natural “expert partner” for explaining why Sanibel is the shelling capital of North America and teaching the audience how to find, clean, and transport shells as well as use them for a family-friendly craft.
April 24, 2009
Seashells of Sanibel & Captiva Islands Updated: Presentation Focuses On Museum’s Scientific Collection And Its Contribution To Research And Education. This is one you won't want to miss. Hear about the great finds of the 2009 season.
April 8, 2009
New laminated guide sheet "Seashells of Sanibel and Captiva Islands" released!
March 28, 2009
"Under The Sea" fundraiser made possible through the support of the local business community
March 28, 2009
Please plan to attend
March 24, 2009
Beat The Heat and Shell-e-brate Summer With The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum - children's summer camp adventures
March 1, 2009
Review the week's schedule and read what past shell show participants shared about their experiences
March 1, 2009
After the presentation Peter Dance will release his new book, "Sea Shells On My Mind" and Harlan Wittkopf will release the fifth edition of his book, "The Sanibel Kaleidoscope." Authors will be available for autographs after the program.
March 1, 2009
Diane Orvis Thomas joins Museum leadership team
February 5, 2009
On Saturday March 14, 2009, José H. Leal, Ph.D., director/curator of The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, will lead a natural history trip to Cayo Costa State Park. The park is located directly south of Boca Grande and West of Pine Island and N. Fort Meyers.
January 8, 2009
Dr. Aswani Volety, Professor of Marine Science and the Chair of the Department of Marine and Ecological Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University will kick of the 2008 Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum Natural Sciences Lecture Series.
January 1, 2009
2009 Calendar Of Events
October 17, 2008
Over the next several months, Julie Olander, an internationally recognized artist, will be teaching a series of four classes for both adults and children at The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. The first workshop will be held on November 5th and 6th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
January 1, 2008
The new poster Seashells of Sanibel and Captiva depicts 65 species of local seashells found on the islands.