IMAG History & Science Center

The IMAG History & Science Center is a Non-profit educational facility located in the heart of downtown Fort Myers. Our Mission is to use the lenses of history and science to help people understand and explore the rich culture and habitat of Southwest Florida. 

The IMAG is a museum of many wonders – a study in adaptive reuse and an interactive learning center where people of various ages and diverse backgrounds will be able to explore various principles of history science, as well as the uniqueness of the geographical region and its flora and fauna.

The dream dates to 1989, when a group of community volunteers established the Imaginarium Group whose sole purpose was to build a museum that would enable people of all ages to explore and discover in the areas of physical, life, and aquatic sciences along with the rich history of Southwest Florida. The site was originally a public works maintenance facility, then a coal-tar gasification plant, and most recently, the City of Fort Myers Water Plant. The City of Fort Myers agreed to turn over this historic 1938 building, and by January 1992, ground was broken at the 7.2-acre site on the corner of Cranford Avenue and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.

In planning this unique museum, careful attention was taken to preserve the integrity of the original architecture of the water plant and to find new uses for the existing structures. Before demolition of the site, the Board of directors had the foresight to salvage pipes and valves as a tribute to the heritage of the IMAG having evolved from a water plant.

Today, the municipal campus has been transformed into an institution dedicated to learning through hands-on activities. Other forms of adaptive re-use or creative recycling can be seen throughout the building. Everywhere one looks, there are many interesting and distinctive facets to provide the visitor with a pleasurable and fascinating visit. In 2017 we merged with the Southwest Florida History Museum and became known as the IMAG History and Science Center.

At The IMAG History & Science Center we offer a variety of educational opportunities from homeschool, girl scouts, boy scouts, workshops, field trips, birthday parties, history Saturday, science Saturday, etc. We also offer opportunities to learn and interact with our lives animals which includes over 30 different species of reptiles and amphibians as well as a handful of fresh and saltwater fish tanks. On a daily basis our education staff do animal shows, science shows, space shows, and touch tank interactions with our stingrays. In order to volunteer with us please read our volunteer manual IMAG-volunteer-handbook-2021.docx (live.com) if you're still interested in working with us after reading the manual, please fill out a volunteer application VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM — IMAG (theimag.org) If you are looking for court ordered community service hours, please contact Sonia at Sonia@theimag.org