Southwest Florida Historical Society

Every town has its haunted legends. On Thursday evening, the Southwest Florida Historical Society welcomes paranormal investigator Jean Gray to the Collaboratory for “Historic Haunts of Southwest Florida.” Gray will unearth the history behind local legends and show how fiction often overshadows truth.

Between 2004 and September of 2022, local historian Gerri Reaves wrote a weekly column for The River Weekly News. Most of her articles traced the occupancy of Fort Myers’ historic buildings. She shared some of those stories last week with members of the Southwest Florida Historical Society during a presentation she titled “Scenes from Downtown History.” Her pithy observations prompted several members to ask how to go about preserving her writings and research for posterity.

To become an Eagle Scout — the highest honor in Boy Scouts — candidates must complete a project that benefits their community.Eagle Scout candidate Scott Kula's project entails building a small library, affectionately named the Little Free Library, on the Southwest Florida Historical Society’s grounds.