CORTEZ, Fla. — The Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez is dedicated to sharing the history of this historic fishing village — maps, shipping routes and all.

Museum Education Coordinator Kel Roth, who graduated from the University of Georgia in May with a degree in anthropology and a focus on museum studies, is spearheading the development of new educational programs and events. 

“I love working with people and seeing how anthropology fits into the whole of marine history, and this is my first time living in Florida, so it's fun to learn all of this new history and culture," Roth said. 

Inside the museum are displays that explain the history of Cortez, the area originally called “Hunters Point.” Families from North Carolina settled the fishing village in the 1880s. Many descendants still live in the area and have donated artifacts that once belonged to the founding families.

They all focus on fishing because Cortez was one of Florida’s earliest-settled fishing villages. The displays also address the importance of the state’s historic fishing villages.

“We love to get people in here and ask questions,” Roth said. “It's OK to talk in here and touch our interactive displays and to ask questions. Of course, we want people to respect our collection, but we want people to be inquisitive." 

The Florida Maritime Museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays, but it's open the rest of the week from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It closes for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. The museum also will be closed on April 7 and April 8 in observance of Good Friday and in advance of Easter. Admission is free.