WGCU Documentary Unit

The Mound House was built atop a Calusa shell mound. Archaeologists believe the mound's elevation helped protect the historic home from powerful storm surges that inundated many parts of Fort Myers Beach in recent years.

'Decoding Ancient Florida: Mound House’ explores Calusa history at Fort Myers Beach landmark

A new WGCU documentary short explores the Calusa history at the Mound House — the oldest structure on Fort Myers Beach — and how Indigenous engineering helped protect it from Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Watch

Human Interest

'Decoding Ancient Florida': New WGCU series reveals the overlooked history of Calusa sites

WGCU Documentary Unit

The first short documentary — Decoding Ancient Florida: Mound House — premieres Aug. 25 on WGCUplus.org. The episode explores the Calusa archaeology and artifacts at the Mound House on Fort Myers Beach.

“Sanibel Island’s Store” will be screened on May 15 at 5:45 p.m. at Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers.

Hurricane Recovery

'Untold Stories: Sanibel Island's Store' -- a WGCU documentary, scheduled for screening May 15 at Fort Myers Film Festival

WGCU Documentary Unit

WGCU’s “Untold Stories: Sanibel Island’s Store” is an official selection of the Fort Myers Film Festival. The festival, in its 15th year takes place May 14-18 at various local venues.

During segregation, Black and white children on Sanibel Island played together, even though they went to seperate elementary schools.

Human Interest

Grandsons of Black settlers reflect on segregated South: 'Things were different on Sanibel'

Janine Zeitlin, WGCU Documentary Unit

Kenneth and Eugene Gavin are part of the legacy of the Gavin and Walker families on Sanibel Island. The two families were among the first Black settlers on the island.

Human Interest

Sanibel or ‘San-a-bull’? A tale of two island pronunciations

WGCU Documentary Unit

Sanibel or ‘San-a-bull’? Video tells the tale of two island pronunciations