Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum

The building located at 402 Pine Avenue was originally an icehouse built in 1920 by the city of Anna Maria's first mayor, Mitch Davis. Subsequently, it was used as an automotive garage, city offices, a firehouse and the Turtle House before the AMIHS secured it for its museum in 1992 through the generosity of the city of Anna Maria and others. Presently housed in the museum are rare, old photographs, maps, records from the early 1900s, newspaper clippings, period outfits, jewelry, and videos from times past. Recently, a library was created where people may peruse archival records as well as beautifully bound copies of the original Islander newspaper dating from 1954 to 1990. Displays of period clothing and items of interest are presented on pedestals and in glass enclosed cases. A restaurant themed vignette includes many menus of businesses past and present. The walls to the rear of the museum tell "fish tales" from long ago and host a salute to the veterans of World War I and II.