Visiting Koreshan State Park in Estero, Florida
Located just south of Fort Myers and north of Naples on US-41 in Estero, Florida Koreshan State Park is the preserved site of a 19th century religious community. The 200-acre park includes the Koreshan Unity Settlement Historic District with 11 original buildings, remains of Victorian gardens, a nature trail along the Estero River, canoeing, and camping.
Photo credit Jennifer BrinkmanTours of the Historic Koreshan Settlement
The best way to visit the Koreshan State Park is by pre-booking a place on the docent-led tours. As well as allowing you to enter some of the historic homes, the tour explains the extraordinary beliefs of Dr. Cyrus Teed and the day-to-day operations of his “New Jerusalem” community in Estero. Tour tickets can pre-purchased online or onsite before each tour, unless sold out.
The beautiful Art Hall is filled with displays of artworks by former Koreshan members as well as by the well-known landscape and portrait artist Douglas Arthur Teed, the founder’s son. Don’t miss the unique model of the globe. It shows the world as we know it, but on the inner shell of the earth’s outer atmosphere, as Dr. Teed believed it to be. On the Art Hall stage you will also find a rare “Model C” 1886 Steinway piano.
Photo credit Jennifer Brinkman