Cortez, Fla. (February 6th, 2023) – The neighborhood surrounding the Florida Maritime Museum (FMM) will be full of festivities on February 18th & 19th for the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. FMM is temporarily shifting its hours to accommodate festival attendees who would like to include a museum visit to enhance their enjoyment of this authentic “old Florida” experience.
The Museum will be closed on Tuesday, February 14th, in order to be open BOTH Saturday and Sunday, February 18th & 19th from 9am until 4pm. The Museum will also be closed Tuesday, February 21st in observance of Presidents Day.
The Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival is the primary fundraiser for the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (F.I.S.H.). F.I.SH. owns and maintains over 99 acres of mangrove and other natural habitats in the F.I.S.H. Preserve adjacent to the museum property. For more information about F.I.S.H. or the Commercial Fishing Festival, visit the F.I.S.H. website at http://www.cortez-fish.org/fishing-festival.html .
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 our website at www.manateeclerk.com and sign up for our electronic newsletter at https://bit.ly/MB-Sign-Up-Form.