Dig up the past, discover a lost civilization, and learn the ways of the Calusa. On March 29th & 30th celebrate Calusa Days & Florida Archaeology Month at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center area of Everglades National Park. Learn about the prehistory and archaeological resources in the Ten Thousand Islands of Southwest Florida. Visit the Turner River and Sandfly Island Indian shell mounds, learn about how the Calusa lived, and try your hand at atlatl throwing, pottery making, mask painting, and more. Activities are free except for the boat tours to the shell mounds. Schedule of Events Boat tours will leave at 9:00 & 9:15 am, and 11:00 & 11:15 am and will include a twenty-minute stop and walk at the Turner River complex site. Visitors should arrive at least 15 minutes before hand. The ninety-minute tours cost $40.00 per adult (regular boat tour price). Reservations for these tours should be made at: www. evergladesnationalparkboattour sgulfcoast.com (select "Mangrove Wilderness" tour)
Boat Tours to Sandfly Island This will be a special boat tour at 1:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday that includes a stop and short walk on Sandfly Island, a prehistoric shell mound site. The ninety-minute tour costs $30.00 (regular boat tour price). Reservations can be made at: www. evergladesnationalparkboattour sgulfcoast.com (select "10,000 Islands" tour).
Calusa Nature Walks Everglades National Park Rangers will lead 45-minute nature walks on Saturday andSunday to explore how the Calusa lived in the Ten Thousand Islands. Walks start at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. (Free)
Exhibits & Craft Demonstrations Throughout the event there will be demonstrations and exhibits on basketry, pottery, shell tools, atlatl spear throwing, a mock archaeological dig site, and lots more. Try your hand at all these activities. Demonstrations and exhibits will be open all day. (Free)
Join us as we explore the lost world of the Calusa Indians at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, 815 Oyster Bar Lane, Everglades City, FL 34139. |
Last updated: April 14, 2015