Name: 2027 Annual Gala - Mysteries of the Deep
Start: 2027-02-06T17:00:00-05:00

Join us at Mysteries of the Deep – a Masquerade Ball benefiting the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum &amp; Aquarium.
Enjoy an evening of elegance and intrigue in attire fit for a Gothic-inspired ball, a Venetian-inspired Carnival, or your own masquerade interpretation! Or, come dressed however you are most comfortable, and we’ll provide a mask if you’d like!
Attendees will enjoy an evening of camaraderie at The Community House, live music by the Rockefellers, and a delicious dinner catered by Savour First Choice Catering.
The evening raises funds for the Museum’s educational mission with an exciting auction of original items and experiences and a Paddles Up!Presented by Florida Trust Wealth Management. Purchase tickets or sponsorships online at <a href="https://shellmuseum.org/gala/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">shellmuseum.org/gala/</a>

Local Event: 2027 Annual Gala - Mysteries of the Deep 

Lee County

Sanibel

Florida

2027 Annual Gala - Mysteries of the Deep 

Join us at Mysteries of the Deep – a Masquerade Ball benefiting the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium.
Enjoy an...

Stay cool by joining one of our expert educators on a Beat the Heat Beach Walk. Participants will explore the Sanibel beach, learn about various local shells and mollusks, and see the sunrise while avoiding the afternoon heat and humidity of the wet season. These early morning walks will last about an hour and take place at Gulfside City Park on Sanibel Island.
Location is Gulfside City Park, 2001 Algiers Lane, Sanibel
All walks begin at 7am.

Local Event: Beat the Heat Beach Walk 

Beat the Heat Beach Walk 

Stay cool by joining one of our expert educators on a Beat the Heat Beach Walk. Participants will explore the Sanibel beach,...

Explore the world of shells and mollusks through new homeschool programs!&nbsp;How does a shell become a fossil? In this program, students explore the fossil creation process, compare and contrast fossil and extant species, and make their own fossil.&nbsp;After the program, students will have the opportunity to explore the Living Gallery of Aquariums and Great Hall of Shells on their own.Homeschool Half-Days programs are offered on select Thursdays, September-December, 2-4pm for ages 5-8 and 9-12. Program registration is $25 ($15 for Museum members) and accommodates one homeschool student and one guardian. Students must be supervised by their guardians at all times.Register online at <a href="https://shellmuseum.org/learn-and-experience/homeschool/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">shellmuseum.org/learn-and-experience/homeschool/</a>

Local Event: Homeschool Half-Days - Fossils (Ages 5-8) 

Homeschool Half-Days - Fossils (Ages 5-8) 

Explore the world of shells and mollusks through new homeschool programs! How does a shell become a fossil? In this program,...

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium

The elusive nature of large, shell-crushing predators (such as rays and sea turtles) creates challenges to our scientific understanding of the ecological role of these predators in seabed communities, including where and when they interact with molluscan shellfish.
This talk covers how Dr. Matt Ajemian’s team uses innovative methods and technologies including shell fragmentation, eDNA, and acoustics to detect and study predator-prey interactions (a “who crushed who”?) within various underwater habitats and conditions. Attendees will also experience how Ajemian’s team uses specialized tags to track the foraging behavior of a large predator, the whitespotted eagle ray, in Bermuda and Florida. The talk closes with a discussion of the relevance of the findings to marine ecosystem ecology and applied shellfish restoration projects occurring in the state of Florida and beyond.
Dr. Ajemian is an Associate Research Professor at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) where he leads the Fisheries Ecology and Conservation program at FAU Harbor Branch. He has published over 80 articles and has received competitive early-career awards from the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Foundation, as well as applied grants from NOAA Fisheries, the Department of Defense, and Florida Sea Grant.Register online at <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0eQ1tJIOSz-kkFa-FR-Bsg#/registration" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Webinar Registration - Zoom</a>

Local Event: Online Lecture - Picking Up the Pieces: Tracking Elusive Predators on Mollusks 

Online Lecture - Picking Up the Pieces:...

The elusive nature of large, shell-crushing predators (such as rays and sea turtles) creates challenges to our scientific...

Online Lecture - Picking Up the Pieces: Tracking Elusive Predators on Mollusks 

Local Event: Homeschool Half-Days - Fossils (Ages 9-12) 

Homeschool Half-Days - Fossils (Ages 9-12) 

Explore the world of shells and mollusks through new homeschool programs!&nbsp;The connection between humans and mollusks is much deeper than most people realize. This program will explore the various connections in food, culture, and history.&nbsp;After the program, students will have the opportunity to explore the Living Gallery of Aquariums and Great Hall of Shells on their own.Homeschool Half-Days programs are offered on select Thursdays, September-December, 2-4pm for ages 5-8 and 9-12. Program registration is $25 ($15 for Museum members) and accommodates one homeschool student and one guardian. Students must be supervised by their guardians at all times.Register online at <a href="https://shellmuseum.org/learn-and-experience/homeschool/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">shellmuseum.org/learn-and-experience/homeschool/</a>

Local Event: November - Shells, Mollusks, and Human Connection (Ages 5-8)

November - Shells, Mollusks, and Human...

Explore the world of shells and mollusks through new homeschool programs! The connection between humans and mollusks is much...

November - Shells, Mollusks, and Human Connection (Ages 5-8)

Dr. José H. Leal has served as the Museum’s Curator for over 30 years and is retiring at the end of 2026. His work has profoundly influenced the organization for the better, and for many, Dr. Leal is synonymous with the Museum and its educational mission.
In this talk, Dr. Leal will reflect on more than three decades of growth, change, challenges, and triumphs at the Museum and in the field of malacology. From his arrival in 1996 as the institution was first opening its doors to the public, to the growth and management of what is today one of the top dozen collections of shells in the U.S., to the design of the new Great Hall of Shells, to the future of malacology, Dr. Leal will share stories of circumstances and people that helped shape this museum and drive the local and international pursuit of knowledge about mollusks and shells.Cost: $25, $15 for Museum Members. Includes beverages and light hors d’oeuvres.Register online at <a href="https://shellmuseum.org/learn-and-experience/lectures/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">shellmuseum.org/learn-and-experience/lectures/</a>

Local Event: An Awesome Challenge: My 30+ Years at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium 

An Awesome Challenge: My 30+ Years at the...

Dr. José H. Leal has served as the Museum’s Curator for over 30 years and is retiring at the end of 2026. His work has...

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2027 Annual Gala - Mysteries of the Deep

Event Details

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Beat the Heat Beach Walk

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7:00 AM

2001 Algiers Ln, Sanibel, FL

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3075 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL

Online Lecture - Picking Up the Pieces: Tracking Elusive Predators on Mollusks

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November - Shells, Mollusks, and Human Connection (Ages 5-8)

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