National Shell Museum

 As I have mentioned, Sanibel Island is one of the top places in the world to hunt for sea shells.  There are over 300 different species of shells that can possibly be found on its beaches.  One of the reasons this island has so many shells is its geography. Most of  Florida's Gulf coast barrier islands run parallel to the coast of Florida in a north to south orientation.  Sanibel is torqued and lays in a northwest to southeast position.  This tends to better funnel shells from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean onto its beaches.  I have seen videos of the beach after storms and it is like nothing I have ever seen.  But even without any storms, the shelling is still wonderful here.

Pengi on a big shell pile last week when we went shelling.

I actually found a juvenile alphabet cone shell in this pile along with some other treasures. 

One days worth of shelling

Here are some of my cone shells.  The three on the left are alphabet cones of various sizes.  The shell on the right is a Florida cone.

Close up of the three nicest ones.  The alphabet cone is one of the most prized shells in southwest Florida because it is somewhat hard to find and quite pretty.

  So appropriately, Sanibel Island is also home to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum.  Last week, Keith and I made a visit to the museum.  There we learned all about the animals that create the sea shells I love.  

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

The museum was started in 1984 by avid shell collectors and Sanibel residents Charlene and Rolland McMurphy.  It is the only accredited museum in the United States devoted solely to shells and mollusks (the animals that create shells).  The museum has grown into a national and international resource for the study and distribution of knowledge about mollusks.   It features shells from around the world as well as a touch tank to get up close and personal with some creatures.  There is a movie that is about 45 minutes playing on a continuous loop detailing the anatomy, life cycle, and habits of many common mollusks.

Inside the museum

There are several displays that exhibit artwork done with shells.  This particular exhibit shows sailor's valentines.  This art form was developed in the early 1800's.  It is paired, glass covered shadow boxes always octagonal in shape containing tiny sea shells glued in geometric shapes or floral patterns.  The boxes were constructed of hardwood and hinged so they could be closed for safe storage.  Contrary to myths, they were not made by sailors in order to pass the time while at sea.  They were made by female residents of Barbados and other Caribbean stop-over ports for sailors, particularly New England whalers, to purchase and take home for loved ones.  When the whaling industry declined and those islands were no longer common ports-of-call for traveling sailing vessels, this shell art form disappeared.  Recently this craft has undergone a revival.  Here is an example of a sailor's valentine created from shells on Sanibel Island.

Closer shot of each side of the Sailor's Valentine

Maybe by the time we leave Sanibel, I will have enough shells to create a Sailor's Valentine.  Don't tell Captain Keith.