We are justifiably proud of our tour guides. Each has been chosen for his or her experience, whether as a tour guide, a public speaker or performer, a historian, or as a delightful combination of all the above. Each has been professionally trained to provide our valued guests with a history tour that is factual (as opposed to fantastical) and an experience that is both fun and educational.
Ladies and gentlemen, in their own words, let us introduce:
Seth Ford
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I grew up very close to downtown Fort Myers on Jackson Street. My family has been in the Fort Myers area since the 1910s and in Florida since the 1850s.
I grew up fishing in the river downtown, playing music, and singing. I still do that often with my wife and daughter. We’re called the Shytunas. We play all over Lee County at ice cream shops, street corners, and for people waiting in lines.
My close personal knowledge of downtown and my love for my hometown shines through in my tours and makes the experience even better for our guests.
Jessica
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I like long walks on the beach and conversations about dead people.
I’m a South West Florida native. I am a Summit Award Scout in BSA and have been camping/hiking all my life.
When I’m not tour-guiding, I am a server at Joes Crab Shack! I am a people person and I love making people laugh.
I hope you enjoy my tour.
Amanda
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History is my passion. I have a Bachelor of Arts in History from the College of William and Mary in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, and a Master of Science in Education from the University of New Haven in Connecticut. I worked at Mystic Seaport Museum before teaching social studies in a public school for over a decade.
When I became a full-time, remote researcher/writer, I followed in the footsteps of many of our city’s pioneers by migrating south to Fort Myers. Of course, I have made it a priority to learn about the history of the land I now call my home. It is my pleasure to share it with you!
Breanne
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Born and raised here in Fort Myers, I’m a sixth generation Floridian. My husband is also a native and we have two daughters together.
I’ve always had a passion for history, which led me to being a proud board member of the Southwest Florida Historical Society as well as a cemetery and gravestone preservationist. In 2020, I started a small business named “The Grave Maid” where I specialize in cleaning headstones and restoring old burial grounds.
I’ve decided to dedicate my life’s work to our local history & forgotten cemeteries in the area.
I will be conducting the Cemetery and Fabulous Female Tours.
Tara
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Tara Calligan is an award-winning journalist, filmmaker, and public media producer, writer, and digital content creator.
Her documentary, “The Face of Immokalee: Public Art for Social Change” won the “Best Florida Film” award at the 2023 Naples International Film Festival.
She has been a member of PBS’ Media & Marketing Advisory Council since 2021, providing direct, local station feedback to the Public Broadcasting Service. She has also presented at several PBS and NPR conferences.
Calligan is one of the hosts and producers for the podcast “Three Song Stories: Biography Through Music,” which brings out the guests’ personalities, and personal histories, by mining the connections music has made during their lifetimes. She is also the writer/producer for WGCU’s “Spotlight on the Arts” mini-documentary series, and the radio talk show “Gulf Coast Life.”
When she is not interviewing, writing up a storm, editing, etc., etc., etc.., she assumes the alter ego Moria Midnight, Monarch of Macabre, a late-night horror host on WGCU HDTV.
Her love of art, history, culture, and the macabre borders on obsession, and she wears the badges of “cinefile” and “audiofile” proudly.
