Visit Naples, Florida’s Oldest Historic Home

Naples’ oldest house, Historic Palm Cottage, was built in 1895 and is a treasured and respected symbol of Naples history. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Palm Cottage, under the preservation of the Naples Historical Society, is a 3,500 square foot house-turned-museum through which residents and visitors alike can learn about Naples history.

Learn about the early settlers and squatters fleeing the Civil War, and how Naples Founding Father; Walter N. Haldeman, bought the city of Naples lock, stock, and barrel for $50,000. See how Naples residents lived before mosquito control, indoor plumbing and relied on waterway transportation. Read the blog article about Naples Historical Society’s Historic Palm Cottage here.

Tour Naples’ Historic Palm Cottage and the Norris Gardens

The Historic Palm Cottage Tour also includes a self-guided stroll through The Norris Gardens and access to the Cottage Theater where you can watch dozens of original oral history films. The Norris Gardens chronicle Naples landscape history over the last 100 years. Visitors can learn more about the Naples Historical Society, their featured tours and other programs offered to benefit the community.

Take a self-guided tour of five historic gardens that are a beautiful complement to Palm Cottage. Step back in time into The Garden of the Senses, The Palm Collector’s Garden, The Edible Garden, The Pioneer Garden and The Shade Garden. Explore and enjoy palms, edible plants, fragrant plants, exotic plants, grasses or enjoy the shade on a hot day. The Norris Gardens Tour is included with your Palm Cottage house museum tour on Tuesday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations are not required for the Historic Palm Cottage house tour. Read the blog article about Norris Gardens here.

Historic Palm Cottage Archival Viewing Center

Peruse historic documents and photos in the Archival Viewing Center, formally the Palm Cottage guest house. Admission to the Archival Viewing Center is free with your Palm Cottage house tour.