The Boca Grande History Center has officially opened its new location at the **Crowninshield Community House**, marking a significant milestone for the local historical society. Former Boca Grande Historical Society President **Pam Heilman** expressed her emotional response upon visiting the space for the first time, stating, “I walked in quietly and I cried.” This moment reflects years of effort to secure a dedicated venue for the society’s operations, especially after the disruptions caused by hurricanes **Helene** and **Milton**.
Prior to this development, the Historical Society operated from a cramped set of rooms behind **Boca Bargains**. Heilman emphasized the importance of the new facility, declaring, “The island deserves this. It’s huge.”
A preview event held recently allowed the **Boca Grande Historical Society** (BGHS) board members to experience the exhibits, including an interactive map of the island. This unveiling is part of a series of events leading up to the grand opening scheduled for next week. The exhibit design was executed by **Creative Arts Unlimited**, a firm based in **Pinellas Park**, which has a reputation for working on various historic and retail projects.
At the preview, **Chuck Stanmore**, CEO of Creative Arts Unlimited, shared his thoughts on the project. He noted that his firm has a strong background in creating engaging experiences for visitors over his three decades in the field. “You are trying to put out things that people will walk up and buy,” Stanmore explained. “We are storytellers. We need to know what the story is.”
The entire project took just over a year to complete, highlighting the collaboration between BGHS staff and volunteers. They played a crucial role in selecting the narratives and images displayed throughout the exhibit space. “You want to engage all of your visitors,” Stanmore added. “You can’t write it for PhDs.”
BGHS President **Johns Knight** highlighted the reason for choosing Creative Arts Unlimited, noting that the firm demonstrated a commitment to understanding the local needs. “Chuck and Roger [Barganier, the other partner] said we will come down and meet you,” Knight recalled. He expressed gratitude for the additional work the firm undertook, especially after the hurricanes delayed the installation of exhibit pieces.
Creative Arts Unlimited stored the exhibit components during this period, ensuring that everything was ready for installation once conditions allowed. “They built it in the shop,” Knight said. “Once that was done, we moved it in.”
The Boca Grande History Center’s new location and its **Footprints from the Past Exhibition** promise to provide a rich cultural experience for residents and visitors alike. As the community prepares for the grand opening, the anticipation continues to grow around this new chapter in Boca Grande’s historical narrative.
For further details about the opening date and events, please check the official announcements from the Boca Grande Historical Society.
