A new board of directors for the period of March 2025-2026 was formed during the SHMV Annual Membership Meeting held on March 10. A Special Meeting to elect officers followed the Annual Meeting.
Tracey Tenney was selected as president of the board. Tracey began volunteering as a docent with the Village in 2016. Her love of history and for all things Sanibel Island, and her desire to serve and give back to Sanibel, led her to become a volunteer and a member of SHMV. Tracey expanded her volunteer roles to include chairperson of several events and committees including Volunteer Gathering, Pavilion Timeline, Twilight Talks, Nominating and Exhibit Revitalization. Most recently she led the year-long $250,000 exhibit revitalization project of the historic Bailey’s General Store. In 2020 she joined the board and for two years held the position of vice president.
Tracey graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor of Science in Math and Computer Science. As a software programmer and project manager she worked for General Electric, Allied Signal and Sprint Telecommunications. When she is not at the Historical Village, you can find her playing pickleball or golf, biking, reading or enjoying all that Sanibel has to offer. She has also served as a volunteer for CROW and FISH.
As president, Tracey’s top goals are to complete hurricane repairs and open the Rutland House, improve the Village grounds, continue with the exhibit revitalization project and develop new programs and exhibits that preserve, share, and celebrate Sanibel’s history.
The new members welcomed are Ron Gould (treasurer), Alan Lessack, Julie Peress, and Susan Ramser (secretary). Continuing members are Ginny Darby, Jane Jensen, Celina Kersh, Jim LaVelle, John McGrath, Gail Migliorini (vice president), and Mary Miller. The SHMV Officers and Directors look forward to a progressive year ahead engaging with guests, members, donors, staff, volunteers, and the Sanibel community.
Founded in 1984, the Village is excited to welcome guests during its 41st year of preserving, sharing, and celebrating Sanibel’s history. The tour experience includes an orientation video and eight historic buildings displaying numerous artifacts telling engaging stories. Much of the site is handicap accessible. The Rutland House remains closed post-Hurricane Ian.
The Village is located on Sanibel Island at 950 Dunlop Road (next to Big Arts) and parking is free.
The Sanibel Historical Museum & Village operates as a non-profit organization.
Visit the Village’s website for more information and hours of operation: www.sanibelmuseum.org.
