FREE Summer Fun in Cortez
The Florida Maritime Museum (FMM) and Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS) invite you to our Summer Social on Saturday, June 14th from 10am-12:30pm. Come out to this family-friendly event to complete scavenger hunts, create your own sponge sailboat, enjoy a fishing-themed story time, and more!
The Summer Social will also feature a ribbon cutting ceremony for Mullet Meadows, a new fisher-gnome community. Come explore the Cortez Cultural Center grounds where CVHS volunteers have turned stumps from trees downed by the hurricanes into an adorable little gnome village. You can even make your own gnome-home or fairy house to take with you! Drop in at any time during this event and complete activities at your own pace.
This small event is free and does not require registration. Most of the activities take place outdoors; be sure to dress for the weather. Free parking is available at the Florida Maritime Museum (4415 119th St W, Cortez) and activities will be spread between FMM grounds and the Cortez Cultural Center. To learn more or share on Facebook, click here.
Please be advised that the Florida Maritime Museum is currently closed for a necessary structural rehabilitation and will not be accessible during this event (restrooms are still available). Aside from scheduled programming like the Summer Social, the Cortez Cultural Center is open by appointment only. To make an appointment, please leave a message (941-840-0590) or email cvhs2016@aol.com.
The Florida Maritime Museum, located at 4415 119th Street West in the historic fishing village of Cortez, offers a snapshot of old Florida through a collection of informative exhibits, educational programs, community events, and research materials. Visit FloridaMaritimeMuseum.org for more information, or call (941) 708-6120.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA MARITIME MUSEUM
Serving the public since 2007, the museum’s mission is to collect, preserve and share traditional knowledge, cultural artifacts and personal stories specific to Florida’s fishing and maritime heritage. The Florida Maritime Museum is a part of the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Historical Resources Department, with additional support from the Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum. Situated on the Cortez Nature Preserve, FMM grounds were purchased with funds from the Florida Communities Trust Preservation 2000 Program and the Manatee County Board of County Commission. Located in the 1912 schoolhouse in the historic fishing village of Cortez, the museum offers a snapshot of old Florida through a collection of informative exhibits, educational programs, community events, and research materials.
ABOUT THE CLERK’S OFFICE
The Clerk of Circuit Court was established as a public trustee by the Florida Constitution in 1838. The Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the Clerk of Courts, the Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, Auditor, Recorder, and Custodian of all County Funds. In Manatee County, the Clerk’s office also administers a local child support enforcement program, violence protection advocacy program, Manatee Teen Court, and the preservation of historical resources through its historical resources department. Located at 1115 Manatee Avenue West in downtown Bradenton, the Courthouse is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Please be sure to visit the Clerk website at www.manateeclerk.com and sign up for the electronic newsletter at https://bit.ly/DigitalBriefSignUp.
ABOUT THE CORTEZ VILLAGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
An all-volunteer, non-profit organization, the Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS) was established in 1984 to preserve the history of Cortez and protect its future. CVHS fulfills this mission through educational programming and special events, in addition to running the Cortez Cultural Center. Located on the FISH Preserve, the Cortez Cultural Center is open free to the public. Exhibits within the Center share artifacts and historic documents donated by Cortez families and businesses. Visit CVHS’s website and subscribe to the newsletter to learn more.