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The Sanibel Historical Museum & Village (SHMV) is proud to announce significant developments in its leadership team and ongoing restoration efforts. With a warm welcome to new board members and a recap of recent achievements, the museum looks ahead to a promising future.
Election of New Board Members and Officers:
The SHMV is pleased to welcome Sybil Appell, John McGrath, and Gail Migliorini to its Board of Directors. Each brings unique expertise and dedication to their roles, serving a first three-year term from 2024 to 2027. Additionally, congratulations are extended to James LaVelle and Celina Kersh Monte-Sano for their re-election to a second three-year term. The museum also proudly announces its elected officers for the upcoming year: President Ty Symroski, Vice President Mary Miller, Treasurer James LaVelle, and Secretary Jane Jensen.
A Note from Our New President, Ty Symroski:
“We should all be very grateful to our outgoing President, Celina, for filling in as president when Bill Rahe died, and then leading the Village through one of the most devastating hurricanes to hit Sanibel. We are on a trajectory to full recovery and coming back better than we were before the storm. Again, thank you Celina, and welcome to our new board members. I hope you are ready to work!
We need every volunteer we can get and hopefully our members will find a way to pitch in. There are many tasks ahead and certainly there is one that fits your talents. Our buildings need routine repairs, our landscaping needs to be replaced, and we are updating our exhibits. We need people to be docents, help with marketing, and conduct historical research. If you think you can help, and I am sure you can, please contact our Executive Director, Mark Harmon.
I am excited to serve as President. Forty years ago, I was on the committee that established the museum, and the first President was my Aunt Ellie Dormer. I am also very flattered to be following in the footsteps of many previous presidents and old friend, Sam Bailey.”
Annual Meeting Recap:
The recent Annual Meeting of SHMV members showcased a year of notable achievements and progress. President Celina Kersh Monte-Sano highlighted successful events such as the Holiday Opening Celebration and the 40th-anniversary Gala, which raised funds for various initiatives. Updates were also provided on the restoration efforts following Hurricane Ian, with significant repairs completed on the oldest buildings on the island. Volunteers were acknowledged for their dedication to preserving artifacts and aiding in the restoration process.
Exciting Additions to the Board:
The museum is thrilled to welcome three new board members, each bringing valuable experience and passion for preserving history. Sybil Appell, John McGrath, and Gail Migliorini join the SHMV team with backgrounds ranging from volunteer work to civil engineering, enriching the museum’s leadership with diverse perspectives and expertise.
As the Sanibel Historical Museum & Village continues its journey of preservation and community engagement, it looks forward to the guidance of its new board members and the support of its dedicated volunteers. With ongoing restoration efforts and exciting plans for the future, the museum remains a beacon of heritage and culture on Sanibel Island.