Sanibel - Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum

The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum houses a very large collection of shells from the Sanibel and Captiva Islands and others from around the world. There are shells from the South Pacific, Australia, Japan and beyond. The Shell Museum began as an information and reference center for national and international scientists, students, and shell enthusiasts. Other exhibits include shell art and the many uses of mollusks such as medicinal, economic and food. There is a comprehensive library, a computer database of shells, thousands of photo slides, videos and monthly lectures.