Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium

As a SHOP: Discover unique gifts…

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is the only accredited museum in the United States devoted solely to shells and mollusks.

MUSEUM STORE

Merchandise is catalogued within these collections: * Books & Media * Museum Gear * Toys & Games * Jewelry & Accessories, and * Art & Home.

Support Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium… by simply purchasing your speciality merchandise here:

https://sales.shellmuseum.org/GiftShop.aspx

Be a DONOR: Show that you care…

MEMBERSHIP

Members have played an essential role in sustaining the Museum and in responding to major challenges. (All memberships are for one year and include up to two adults and four children under 18 living in the same household.)

Levels include:

WENTLETRAP

• Unlimited free admission for two adults and four children within the same household

• 20% discount at the Museum Store

• Subscription to Museum print and email newsletters

• Invitations to Members-only programs

• Discounts for paid public programs 

​GOLDEN OLIVE​

• All the benefits of Wentletrap Level

• PLUS free admission to over 1,100 North American museums and attractions in the NARM network

• Two (total) free additional guests per Museum visit

​LION PAW​

• All the benefits of Golden Olive Level

• Three (total) free additional guests per Museum visit

​JUNONIA

• All the benefits of Lion Paw Level

• Four (total) free additional guests per Museum visit

ANGEL WING

• All the benefits of Junonia Level

• A private tour of the Museum and behind-the-scenes with the Director and Science Director/Curator for the Member and their guests

FRIENDS OF THE LIVING GALLERY

• All the benefits of Lion Paw Level

• Exclusive programs such as lectures, guided walks, and behind-the-scenes tours

• Adopt an animal in the Living Gallery, complete with adoption certificate and photo updates

• Recognition on signage in the Museum

DONATION

Our Vision: The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is a natural history museum that educates, inspires, builds community, and connects people through their love of shells, the diverse animals that create them, and the natural environment.

​Our Mission: To use exceptional collections, aquariums, programs, experiences, and science to be the nation’s leading museum in the conservation, preservation, interpretation, and celebration of shells, the mollusks that create them, and their ecosystems.

You may identify and underwrite efforts of your choice. Donations at specified amounts are designated or you may customize your gifts. Recurring gifting is welcomed. Donations in honor or in memory of a person or event is encouraged.

• Giving categories:
  • Greatest Need
  • Adopt-A-Class*
  • Collections Work and Research
    • *Adopt-A-Class:Thanks to the generosity of donors who have supported its signature Adopt-A-Class program, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium has been able to provide free field trips and outreach education to students throughout Southwest Florida for nearly 20 years. The Museum will prioritize allocation of Adopt-A-Class funds to Title 1 schools to ensure that students in our region have access to the unique stories, lessons, and experiences of the shells, marine life, and conservation education the Museum offers, regardless of a school’s or students’ ability to pay.
• Volunteer​: Volunteers at Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum get a unique opportunity to share their passion for shells and mollusks with others. Don’t quite consider yourself a shell enthusiast, but still want to help out? We have plenty of opportunities! We always need help in our retail store and at admissions. We have special events going on throughout the year that are made a lot easier with an extra set of hands. Special skills like records management, IT, handy-person, etc. are not listed below, but are always welcome. Many of our volunteers help in multiple areas. All volunteers help the Museum further its mission, whether it is working directly with guests, or behind the scenes.
  • Aquarium Docent: Interact with guests in the Beyond Shells: Living Gallery. Educate guests about animals and exhibits, facilitate guest engagement, and enhance guest experience.
  • Aquarium Husbandry Volunteer: Help our expert aquarium husbandry staff care for our unique animals.
  • Aquarium Water Quality Volunteer: Aquatic animals require pristine water quality in order to thrive. Assist the Husbandry Department by conducting water quality tests for all animal habitats.
  • Children’s Field Trip Docent: Lead a station in the Adopt-A-Class 4th Grade Field Trip program
  • Great Hall Docent: Interact with visitors in the Exhibit Hall. Assist guests with scavenger hunts, educate guests about exhibits, facilitate guest engagement, and enhance guest experience.
  • Group Tour Docent: Help lead groups of Road Scholars or other tours through the Museum. Adult and children’s groups available.
  • Librarian Volunteer: Help manage the Museum’s 3,000-volume library of books, periodicals, and articles on a wide range of subjects related to shells, mollusks, marine and land ecosystems, and more.
  • Mollusks on the Move Volunteer: Travel with a Museum educator to a school, community/learning center, hospital, etc. to educate the community about live mollusks. Be ready for long days and LOTS of kids!
  • Museum Store Volunteer: Assist store staff with customer service, stocking shelves, dusting, labeling, and other tasks as needed. Help create a fantastic shopping experience!
  • Shell Ambassador: Teach Sanibel’s beachgoers about shells, mollusks, and other beach finds. 8-hour training course required.
  • Touch Pool Docent: To facilitate guest engagement, educate, and supervise guests touching mollusks at the Touch Pools. Create a unique and memorable experience for guests and help foster lifelong learning.​

 Support Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium… by simply giving here: 

https://www.shellmuseum.org/support-us