History Preserved

It was at 2:00 PM on July 7, 1923, that Collier County officially came into existence, and one hundred years later, the County celebrated! 

Three separate time capsules slated to be opened on the 100th anniversary received a welcome reception on July 7, 2023. The Collier County Bicentennial Memorial Capsule was dedicated on July 7, 1976, the USA’s bicentennial. Tucked away in the Government Center campus, the contents revealed a plethora of artifacts. There were handwritten letters, official documents and photos, a County Zoning Regulations pamphlet from 1961, and even watermelon seeds from Millie Sharrod’s “Watermelon Patch” in Immokalee, dated June 12, 1976. A bicentennial capsule wouldn’t be complete without Collier County-specific 200th USA Anniversary memorabilia like a ruler and liter bag for your car.

Collier County and the Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) celebrate the same anniversary and in 1998, on the 75th anniversary of the CCSO, a time capsule was created to be opened on Collier’s Centennial. The sheriff’s time capsule had documents, reports, budgets and a vintage officer’s uniform. Sheriff Rambosk, who 25 years ago was city manager for the City of Naples when this time capsule was sealed said, “One of the things we found was a VHS tape which we don’t have the capability to run right now.” The Sheriff’s Office also has a new Mobile Museum with historical artifacts, photos and documents highlighting their 100 years of keeping Collier County safe.

The Viva Florida Time Capsule was dedicated on May 8, 2013, by the Collie County Public Library.  Buried in front of the flagpole at the Naples Depot Museum, the time capsule had captured a vast array of documents and artifacts from ten years ago.

Now that three time capsules have been opened, it’s time to prepare another to close. The Collier County Museum is preparing a time capsule to be unveiled in 2076, the United States Tricentennial. Part of its content debuted on July 7th. “Rising,” by Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra member Wyatt Fox, was composed specifically for this occasion and performed for the first time by a brass trio from Artis-Naples Philharmonic Orchestra.

The contents of the time capsules, along with a historical perspective of Collier County dating from 1923, are on display at the Collier County Museum at Government Center. You can also offer your thoughts on what should be in the next time capsule! Visit the Collier County Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Trail East, Naples 34112. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.