ESTERO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Post Office Box 1314
Estero, FL 33928
Dear Friend of the Society:
The
Estero Historical Society is reaching out to the Estero community and friends for help in preserving Estero history. We are
restoring two early Estero buildings, the 1904 Estero Schoolhouse and the 1906 Collier House. In January 2006, these historic
buildings will be moved from Highlands Avenue in "Old Estero" to a section of the new Estero Community Park the
County is leasing the Society.
We are losing much of Estero's
history to development. If we do not act now, very little will be left to pass on to future generations. The Schoolhouse and
the Collier House would most likely be demolished by development. Rather than have them destroyed, Charles Dauray, CEO
of the College of Life Foundation offered the buildings to the Society. The Foundation also generously offered to pay for
moving the buildings to the Park.
Mr. Dauray and Lee County
have been very helpful, but we will need help from the community and others in restoring the buildings.The County will provide
infrastructure, i.e., site preparation, water and sewer. The County would like us to restore the buildings close to their
original conditions and make them available to the public. Restoring the buildings require we ask help from the community.
It's estimated the costs could be as high as $200,000. In addition we will seek financial help from public agencies and
private foundations. These sources sometimes match funds contributed by the community.
This
is why we are asking for your help.
We ask contributions be
sent to the Society at Post Office Box 1314, Estero, FL 33928. The Internal Revenue Service has determined the Society to
be a non-profit section 501 (C) (3) organization. Donars my deduct contributions to the Society.
Sincerely,
Mary Ann Weenen, President
Mimi Straub, Founder &
Past President
