November 24, 2020 – There’s fun to be had for children at the Sanibel Historical Village as they go on a treasure hunt throughout the Village’s buildings and then choose a prize from the treasure chest at the Rutland House.
Children are given a sheet of instructions outlining where they can find the treasures in each building. They get a clue and then must find, for example, the sundial in the garden. There is something to find in each of the Village’s nine historical buildings. Prizes are located in the Village Gift Shop in the Rutland House and include little toys, tattoos, and other goodies. This time of year, many of the prizes are holiday-themed.
This week, Elyse and Aubrey Anderson and Zara and Iris Luna-Bord were among the children playing the Treasure Hunt. Elyse said, “This is my favorite museum I’ve ever been to!”
“That’s what we like to hear,” said Executive Director Emilie Alfino. “It’s exciting to get children interested in history, and the Treasure Hunt does just that. Children ask all kinds of questions as they make their way through the buildings looking for treasures and anticipating the prize at the end of their quest. Of course, the Treasure Hunt interests the parents, too, which is a wonderful bonus!”
The Treasure Hunt goes on all year. The Historical Village welcomes approximately 1,000 children each year, so the educational opportunities are substantial, Alfino said.
The historical village is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. The village is located at 950 Dunlop Road (next to BIG ARTS). Admission is $10 for adults 18 and older; those under 18 and members are free. Due to the COVID pandemic, docent-guided tours are available by reservation only for groups of no less than six and no more than 10 and are based upon docent availability. At this time, the Gift Shop is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. due to staffing difficulties brought on by COVID. Admission for entrance to go only to the Gift Shop is free. There is handicap access at the Village. For information, call 472-4648 during business hours or visit www.sanibelmuseum.org.