Marco Couple Donates $1.5 Million Marco Island Historical Society Museum Fundraising Campaign
-- Longtime history buffs support Society’s vision to bring Marco’s unique past to life –
Marco Island, FL: (January 13, 2008) . . . The Marco Island Historical Society announces that MIHS members Jon and Sonja Laidig have donated of $1.5 million to the society’s fundraising campaign to build a history museum on Marco Island.
“History is important and the Society was a crucial point in the development of the museum,” explained Jon Laidig when describing his enthusiasm for the donation. “It is a privilege to be a part of building a museum and to do something for the next generation,” he added. “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” he continued, quoting American philosopher George Santayana.
“There are many, many artifacts that belong on Marco Island that are either at the University of Pennsylvania or kept away in drawer at the Smithsonian Museum such as the Marco Cat,” said Sonja Laidig. “We need to have a place on Marco Island for those artifacts to be viewed and the new museum building will allow that to happen.”
The Laidig’s donation will jump-start the construction of the main museum building, reported Bill Perdichizzi, co-chairman of the MIHS Capital Campaign Committee. “The total raised to date (capital campaign stands at roughly $3.1 million in gifts and pledges) has been collected from over 350 donors, which is great considering that the MIHS had not raised more than $10,000 from donations in any given year prior to starting the campaign in the spring of 2005. The campaign is truly a grassroots effort,” he added. “We have reached two-thirds of our fundraising goal , but still need to raise $1.5 million more to complete the complex.”
“For more than a decade, MIHS envisioned a museum that would allow residents and visitors alike to explore Marco’s historical and cultural legacy,” explained co-chairwoman Betsy Perdichizzi. This donation will go a long way in achieving that result with a scheduled groundbreaking to take place on March 15, 2008 with expected completion of the Marco Island Museum – a planned 8,000 square-foot facility featuring innovative, interactive exhibits and displays that will bring Marco Island’s past to life – in 2010. The Museum will feature state-of-the-art security and climate control so it will be possible to borrow and display fragile and irreplaceable Calusa Indian artifacts that have been excavated from Marco.
A Living History Hall, designed as a multipurpose meeting center, theater, and auditorium is also planned. It will be the largest facility on Marco Island, seating 250 to 300 people and home to community groups such as MIHS and the Marco Island Players. The hall will also be available for special cultural events, traveling productions and private receptions.
The museum will be built on land set aside by the Collier County Board of Commissioners on property adjacent to the Marco Library. When the entire facility is completed, the complex will comprise two buildings totaling 10,000 square feet, connected by galleries and walkways and landscaped with native plants and a waterway.
Capital Campaign Committee members include Bonnie & Craig Woodward – Honorary Co-Chairmen; Bill & Betsy Perdichizzi – Co-Chairman; John Aceri; Vicki Bretthauer; Eleanor Burnham; Patty Carnes; Paula Erjavec; Karen Gear; Darcie Guerin; Kris Hellend; Bonnie Hurt; Donna Kittle; Lee Lindberg; Sheila Luciano; Joyce Martindell; Patty Marzula; Joe Neiweem; Brenda Neiweem; Helmut Nickel; Alan Sandlin; Linda Sandlin; Ian Small; Kathy Small; Deborah Spalvins; Thomas Wagor and Roger Withers.
For more information, volunteer or make a donation, visit the Marco Island Historical