Center for Creative Community Development

Bailey Matthews Shell Museum

The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum features exhibits that are devoted to shells in art and history, shell habitat, rare specimens, fossil shells, common Southwest Florida shells, and more. The learning lab features a hands-on play area for children, displays, games, and a tank with indigenous mollusks. The Museum has established strong ties with many public and private sector organizations, including the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization, Smithsonian Institution, Museu de Zoologia and Universidade de Sao Paulo in Brazil, Florida Museum of Natural History, the Conchologists of American, Southwest Florida Library Network, Sanibel Public Library, The Sanibel School, Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, and shell clubs throughout Florida.