Bailey family deeded eight acres of land in memory of their parents Frank Bailey and Annie Matthews for the museum site. But it wasn’t until 1995 when a combination of donations, grants
destinations on Sanibel Island among TripAdvisor reviews, with double-digit growth over the past few years that now welcomes more than 60,000 visitors annually.
“Our feeling is if we can change the way people look at beaches — wherever they may have come from — we can create a positive, permanent impact on protecting and preserving mollusks around the world. We know we’re succeeding in getting that message delivered.”
and matching loans saw the current museum structure officially open. Today, visitors will find the National Shell Museum an active, interactive and colorful attraction —
Perhaps not coincidentally, this impressive growth coincides with the arrival and direction of Hipschman, whose background includes directorships at both children’s museums and science centers
contemporary and engaging, while still educational, via its presentations and programs. The net result has seen the museum become among the top five
throughout the country, as well as a creative stint at Saatchi & Saatchi, a global and highly acclaimed advertising agency.
28 COASTE | ATTRACTIONS
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