Backup Documents 02/12/2019 Item # 4C 4 C
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Marco Island Historical Society was founded in 1994 as a sub chapter of the
Collier County Historical Society and became an independent organization in 1996;
and,
WHEREAS, the Marco Island Historical Society raised $4.5 million dollars in private funds and
Collier County donated six acres of county land to build a permanent museum on Marco
Island; and,
WHEREAS, the Marco Island Historical Society and Collier County have formed a successful
public/private partnership resulting in the completion of four permanent museum
exhibits that tell the stories of Marco Island's 6,000-year history; and,
WHEREAS, the Marco Island Historical Society and Collier County have jointly submitted a loan
request to the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Pennsylvania Museum of
Archaeology and Anthropology to return to Marco Island Pre-Columbian Native
American artifacts discovered on Marco Island in 1896 including the Key Marco Cat,
a charismatic, anthropomorphic feline statuette that has captured the public's
imagination for more than a century; and,
WHEREAS, this loan request was approved resulting in a two-and-a-half-year exhibit of these
artifacts in the Marco Island Historical Museum for educating and inspiring people of
all ages about the fascinating history of our region; and,
WHEREAS, this artifacts exhibition represents years of work by the Marco Island Historical
Society, Collier County, and the community at large and is a significant achievement
and a gift to all residents and visitors.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida,
that the Marco Island Historical Society, the Collier County Museums and all involved
be commended for bringing "home" on loan precious artifacts.
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 12th Day of February 2019.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
7
COLLI,J• C 0 UNTY,.FLORIDA '
W L. MCDANIEL, JR., CHAIRMAN