About the Veterans History Museum
The Veterans History Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community museum in Naples, Florida. It preserves artifacts donated by veterans and their families, and shares their stories with the community.
Our mission
To honor and preserve the legacy of the brave men and women who served or are still serving in our nation’s military by maintaining a community museum that preserves and protects artifacts donated by veterans and their families.
To foster a deep appreciation for their sacrifices, resilience and commitment to protecting and serving our country by offering educational opportunities, exhibits and interactive experiences within the Naples, Florida community.
Our vision
We strive to inspire future generations by sharing the stories of courage, selflessness and patriotism that define these heroes, ensuring their contributions are never forgotten.
Our goals
- Maintain a museum with room to display donated military artifacts.
- Educate the community through museum tours, outreach programs, presentations, and time with visitors and donors.
- Recruit and keep volunteers who help with community awareness and education.
How do we care for the collection?
- We collect and accept military artifact donations.
- We categorize and research each artifact for its history and value.
- We preserve papers, photographs, uniforms and inactive weaponry for display.
“I hope schools will bring students for tours.”
Linda Flewelling, Naples Airport Authority board member, when the museum opened its first gallery (Florida Weekly, July 2011)
Leadership and supporters
A volunteer board of directors guides the museum, and local families, clubs and businesses keep it running.
What is the history of the museum?
The museum has had several names since 2006. Its mission has stayed the same.
2006
The museum is founded in Naples as the Museum of Military Memorabilia.
2008
Robert “Bobby Dodge” McDonald becomes president. He leads the museum until 2019.
2011
The Naples Airport Authority votes to give the museum space in the airport’s commercial terminal. The grand opening is planned for Veterans Day.
2018–2020
News coverage from these years calls it the Naples Museum of Military History. It hosts Veterans Day, Pearl Harbor and Iwo Jima Day programs.
2022
Newspaper ads announce a new name, America’s Military and First Responder Museum.
2025
Collier County approves the museum’s use of space in the Collier Museum at Government Center (Resolution 2025-142). County Commissioner Chris Hall was instrumental in the move. The museum becomes the Veterans History Museum and reopens on Veterans Day 2025.
Sources: Florida Weekly, July 21, 2011; museum photo album; Collier County Board of County Commissioners Resolution 2025-142 (July 8, 2025).
Is this the same museum as the Naples Museum of Military History?
Yes. The Veterans History Museum was earlier known as the Museum of Military Memorabilia, the Naples Museum of Military History, the Gulf Coast Military Museum, and America’s Military and First Responder Museum. It is the same nonprofit, with the same collection.