Florida seafood has been popular for a long time. There’s no better evidence of this than the huge piles of shells that make up the ancient mounds at sites like Historic Spanish Point in Osprey.

The Window To The Past exhibit is part of Historic Spanish Point in Osprey, near Sarasota gives visitors a fascinating glimpse into the past.
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These shell middens can be found all around Florida, but The Window To The Past exhibit is the only place where you can actually look inside of one of these massive mounds. There are both middens (which were used for food disposal) and burial mounds on site, and the area has been excavated and studied by archaeologists since the late 1950s. Many of the artifacts from this site can be viewed at the Smithsonian and the University of Florida’s Museum of Natural History.
The previous owner of the building originally cut into the rock for a garage.
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Now the walls have been replaced with glass, allowing us to look into the ancient world. Inside the wall of shell, you can see evidence of life thousands of years ago, like pieces of tools and pottery.
This exhibit alone would be worth a visit, but Historic Spanish Point features so much more. It is almost like taking a walk through Florida history.
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Ironically, Historic Spanish Point was never settled by Spaniards. Bertha Palmer, a wealthy widow and businesswoman who had a huge hand in the development of Sarasota, purchased this land (as part of 80,000 acres) in 1910.
She not only preserved much of the historic site, she added beauty of her own.
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Palmer installed a beautiful sunken garden decorated with pergolas that remains the highlight of the tour for many.
The site also features a pioneer homestead (that belonged to the previous owners before Palmer).
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There is also a reproduction of their early citrus packing house. The site also features 30-acres of trails and boardwalks for long walks through lovely Old Florida scenery. (Well-behaved dogs are allowed!)
Plan your visit for the end of November or December for a special treat.
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Visit from November 24th through December 30th (excluding December 28th) for Holly Days and Mangrove Lights, when the homestead structures and gardens are beautifully decorated with lights, and the grounds are open until 9:00 p.m.

Address: 337 N Tamiami Trail, Osprey, Fl 34229

Regular Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: Adults: $12, Seniors (65+): $10, Children (Ages 5-12): $5

Have you ever visited Historic Spanish Point? What’s your favorite place to get a glimpse of Florida history?

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