The City of Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center will open the Museum Store at the Indian Temple Mound Museum on Saturday, Nov. 1. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in November.
- The store is part of an expansion and renovation project at the Indian Temple Mound Museum. Visitors can browse unique items and artwork for sale in the new 4,800-square-foot building that fronts U.S. Highway 98.
The new building has been years in the making. The grounds were donated by former Fort Walton Beach Councilwoman Chris Gibson and her family. Gibson, who passed away in 2017, was a supporter of the museum and its mission to preserve, present and share local history. She previously owned the property where the former Blue Water Zoo was located.
The $800,000 building expansion was funded through a combination of sources:
- $390,000 from the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council
- $410,000 from the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency budget
- and contributions from the County TDD and Okaloosa County ½ cent sales tax
The storefront occupies the ground floor facing Highway 98, while the second story houses office space and storage areas.
The new building will allow more gallery exhibit space to be developed. The museum will open in phases over the coming months as staff and volunteers update exhibits and displays.
Starting Saturday, Dec. 6, the Museum Store will be open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museums of Heritage Park will be closed for observed holidays.
Heritage Park & Cultural Center is located at 139 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. Heritage Park & Cultural Center is part of the City of Fort Walton Beach, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, Museum Division.
One Response
Congratulations to the City of FWB and the great museum staff. The Indian Temple Mound Museum is a beautiful museum full of wonderful artifacts. What a treasure for a city to have. When the full museum will reopen again please everyone come for a visit!