As the 100th birthday parties roll on, one that is going to be quite the party is coming up: it will span three days, with live music, food trucks and, of course, cakes and ice cream.
The centenary being feted? It’s a log cabin, the historic “little yellow house” that has been the home of the Southwest Florida Historical Society for four decades.
A century ago, the building began life on Cottage Street in Fort Myers, where it had several rental occupants before becoming the law offices of attorney Edward Friedman, according to research by area history expert Joanne Iwinski Miller. When the buildings in that area were torn down in the early 1980s, the little yellow house was saved from being torn down, donated to the nonprofit society, and moved to its current site on the Lee County Alliance for the Arts campus.
Since then, it has welcomed both veterans and newcomers who want to learn about or reminisce about the region’s past.
As Historical Society stalwart Joanne Iwinski Miller puts it, “The Little Yellow House has been a gold mine for local Lee County history. Anyone who walks through those doors comes away learning something about their pioneer family or finding an old photo of what you’re looking for.” or even the history of your home,” she says. “It’s an amazing place to come and visit and everyone is welcome.”
Further: The Williams Academy Black History Museum continues to be a community staple in the Dunbar community
Further: Meet the Officially Unofficial Keeper of Lee County History
The weekend’s celebration will include events from yesteryear: The Notables barbering group, displays of artifacts, antiques and news articles, even a Ford T, along with some special guests. It’s taking advantage of Alliance’s Fringe Fest and will also be sharing food trucks with that event.
Also highlighted will be the work of multi-generational Fort Myers firm Flint & Doyle, which has moved dozens of historic buildings over the years: not just the Little Yellow House, but also the Langford-Kingston House in Fort Myers and many from Buckingham Field. Lee County Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle will be on hand to open the event, which is fitting, because he’s also the person who oversaw the building’s 1983 move.
If you go
The yellow house birthday party celebration kicks off Friday at 5 pm with an open house and runs through Sunday afternoon. Saturday events, which begin with the building opening at 9 am, include the Notables show at 2:30 pm before it all wraps up on Sunday at 3 pm The address is 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Call 239-939-4044.
