Austin Bell Named Chief Curator at Museum of Florida History

The Marco Island Historical Society (MIHS) announces that MIHS Curator of Collections Austin J. Bell has accepted an exciting new position as chief curator of the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee. It is the official history museum of the State of Florida. 

Bell will be moving with his wife Erin and daughter Chloe. Erin, formerly director of exhibitions and special programs at the Naples Botanical Garden, also is taking an exciting new career opportunity near Tallahassee as the executive director of the Thomasville Center for the Arts.

Bell has served in his position as curator of MIHS collections at the Marco Island Historical Museum (MIHM) since 2013. While in this position, he authored four books while with MIHS, including The Nine Lives of Florida’s Famous Key Marco Cat, Images of America: Marco Island, Images of Modern America: Marco Island and Lost and Found: The Adventures of Marco the Cat.

“The MIHS is deeply grateful to Austin for his significant contributions to the Marco Island Historical Museum and for being a long-time member of our team of professionals who work so diligently to preserve our island’s history,” notes MIHS CEO Pat Rutledge. “Austin has been instrumental in bringing many significant exhibits to Marco Island Historical Museum. These have included the Key Marco Cat and companion artifacts on loan from the Smithsonian and Penn Museum. He also has contributed greatly to the development of the Museum’s award-winning permanent exhibits.” 

“I am grateful to MIHS and the Marco Island community for the opportunity to serve in this capacity for the past decade,” notes Bell. “It has been a great pleasure to work with and learn from so many individuals. My experience at MIHS will undoubtedly continue to influence and shape my career in years to come. Marco Island will always be a special place to me and my family. Erin and I married here, bought our first home here and had our child here. We have been very fortunate to be part of something as special as the MIHS, Marco Island Historical Museum and the community that surrounds and supports the important work being done here.”

MIHS is hosting an open house in Bell’s honor on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, from 3:30 to 5:00 PM at the Marco Island Historical Museum. The public is invited.

The Marco Island Historical Museum is located at 180 S. Heathwood Drive. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission is free, and the site is handicapped accessible. For information, call 239.389.6447 or visit www.theMIHS.org.