Charlotte County Life category interest

The Military Heritage Museum first opened its doors to the public in Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda, Fla., on Pearl Harbor Day 2001. The goal of the Museum — then as now — was to honor veterans from all branches and eras of U.S. military service and to help the general public better understand the contributions and various experiences of American servicemen and women through authentic artifacts and individual stories. As the Military Heritage Museum continued to grow in popularity, it gained a reputation among tourists and the local community as Southwest Florida’s most treasured museum, in large part because of its personal touch. Veterans lead all tours and offer visitors a unique perspective and understanding of key moments in history that cannot be obtained from a textbook.

The Museum is committed to providing veterans with a place where they are honored for their service, not only through exhibits but also through volunteer opportunities that keep veterans involved in their communities long after retirement. In fact, all of the tour guides at the Military Heritage Museum are volunteers who served in the military themselves, giving them firsthand knowledge of what it means to serve this country. 

What makes the Military Heritage Museum different than other historical museums — even those dealing with military history — is the important role U.S. veterans play in teaching visitors about its exhibits. When you visit this museum, you are guaranteed to not just learn about the past but to get a firsthand taste of military life from members of the Armed Forces who served. Whether you’re an experienced veteran or someone with no prior military experience whatsoever, we’re confident that this visit will give you valuable insight into what it means to serve your country and make a difference in both past and present conflicts.

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm 

900 West Marion Avenue 

Punta Gorda, FL 33950 

Phone: 941.575.9002

www.militaryheritagemuseum.org