Marco Island Historical Museum celebrates Pineapple Day

The Marco Island Historical Society (MIHS) and Collier County Museums invite the public to join them in celebrating Pineapple Day on Saturday, February 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the campus of the Marco Island Historical Museum (MIHM). 

The event is free and will include fun games and activities for children and families, pineapple growing tips from master gardeners, tasty and refreshing historic pineapple recipe treats, and demonstrations. 

An original work of art, “The Pineapple King,” by Marco Island native and well-known artist Jarrett Stinchcomb captures the spirit of Marco Island’s pioneer families and pineapple growing history. It can be viewed in the Museum’s open air gallery, Windows & Doors to History. 

A look at Marco Island’s heritage of pineapple growing reveals just how important pineapples were in the early development of Marco Island. There were two pineapple plantations in the early 1900s named Ludlow’s and Captain Horr’s that fueled the local economy. It’s estimated that 50,000 pineapples were shipped from Marco Island in 1909 alone.

The Marco Island Historical Museum is located at 180 S. Heathwood Drive. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and the site is handicapped accessible. For general information visit www.themihs.org or call 239-642-1440.