Heather Otis Appointed Curator of Collections

The Marco Island Historical Society (MIHS) announces that Heather Otis has been named curator of collections at the Marco Island Historical Museum (MIHM). Otis has served as MIHS collections manager since 2019. She has more than 10 years of experience managing museum collections of all sizes, including collections at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. 

Otis holds a bachelor’s degree in archaeology from Hamilton College and master’s degree in museum studies from George Washington University. Her research has been published in the Journal of Archaeological Science. She also serves as a director and membership chairperson for the Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage, a collection of national, state, and local parks, tourist attractions, and museums throughout Florida featuring Native American history and cultural heritage. 

According to MIHS CEO Pat Rutledge, “We are pleased to announce Heather’s appointment as curator of collections. During her five years with MIHS, Heather has contributed significantly to professionalizing the Historical Society's collections and bringing their care and management up to national museum standards. She has not only dedicated herself to physically preserving our collection's 48,000 items for future generations but also to making our collections open and accessible to the public. Thanks to her efforts, in recent years, the MIHS collections have become an increasingly available and invaluable way for our staff, the community, and researchers across the country to engage with and educate others on Marco Island's rich history.” 

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