The Sanibel Historical Collection presents a visual history chronicling the development of Sanibel, one of Florida's premiere destinations. Originally inhabited by the Calusa Indians, the Spanish later colonized the region until Florida was ceded to the United States. Sanibel Island houses a variety of historic landmarks, including a lighthouse built in 1884 that is still operational, and six thousand acres worth of habitat set aside as a national wildlife refuge since 1945.