“If your spirits ever need a lift, take a stroll through the Naples Depot. I still marvel at every inch of it. Genius.”
-Ron Jamro | Director, Collier County Museums
When AST became involved with this project in 2007, the Naples Depot was just beginning the process of renovation. AST worked with the Director of Museums to design and budget for this 9700 sq. ft. facility.
Even though the renovations took years longer than anticipated, we were able to maintain the original budget from 2007 three years later when we actually installed the exhibits.
The exhibits tell the story of the development of Naples, FL and the importance of rail travel in general and the Naples Depot in particular to the development of the area.
Highlights of the exhibits include a diorama depicting the arrival of the Orange Blossom Special for the first time in 1927, a full size replica of the Naples Taxi buckboard that was used to ferry passengers from the Depot to the Naples Hotel, and the chance to see and feel what it must have been like to stand in the stationmaster’s office when one of these huge trains pulled into the station.
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- Every detail from the shape of the smoke stack on the Orange Blossom Special to the number of columns on the depot facade was important in this design by AST Exhibits.
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- Guests have been known to tap on the glass of the ticket window in hopes an attendant will open the shade and answer a question or two. The “window” is actually an effect built by AST Exhibits and the only thing behind it is a plaster wall.
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- Angled windows allowed the Station Master to see trains both up and down the line from his desk. AST Exhibits replaced the original windows with “magic” windows that allow YOU to witness the action along the rails.
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- A coal shoveler wipes the sweat from his brow as the engineer regales him with an anecdote in this HO scale model created by AST Exhibits.
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- This room, once a place of segregation, now highlights the contributions of African-Americans to the railroads of South Florida.
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- The paint scheme on the Naples Welcome Wagon was designed to match antique photos and reference material.
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- Trains are very popular with younger museum visitors. AST Exhibits designed these display cases to provide a great view for guests of all ages.
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- AST Exhibits built this elongated case so that the trains could be displayed linked instead of as single cars.
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- Every 10 minutes these old windows “recall” what they witnessed on January 7, 1927 as the Orange Blossom Special rumbled into the station for the first time.
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- Dugout canoes were the primary means of transportation for the Seminole because of the extensive network of waterways in the area.
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- We knew that the best way to display a canoe was in the water but this antique was no longer seaworthy. AST Exhibits had to develop a technique to simulate the water.
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- A Seminole glides through the Native People’s Room standing atop his dugout canoe.
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- A modern steel handrail would look out of place beside a display of prehistoric artifacts. AST Exhibits themed the handrail to blend into the room and still meet ADA standards.
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- AST Exhibits created these artifact display cases for the Native People’s Room at the Naples Depot Museum.
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- HO scaled townsfolk gather with excitement anticipating the arrival of the first passenger train to Naples in this model created by AST Exhibits.
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- AST Exhibits designed this display case to mimic the feel and texture of typical railroad design during the early 20th Century.
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- AST Exhibits created several cast bronze markers for the Naples Depot Museum.
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- To get the Naples Welcome Wagon back in working condition every rusted nut, bolt and piece of hardware was removed, reconditioned and carefully reassembled.
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- A view of the restored Naples welcome wagon from the deck of a miniature model.
