Oldest house in Naples reopening for the first time since Hurricane Ian

The oldest house in Naples has withstood the test of time and also Hurricane Ian now that it’s reopening.

The Historic Palm Cottage in Naples took a powerful hit from Hurricane Ian.

“We’ve been closed since Hurricane Ian came and caused significant damage to the house. But we are now open,” John Telishak, education manager of the Historic Palm Cottage, said.

The Historic Palm Cottage has seen a lot since being built in 1895. It’s been through two World Wars, the 1918 Spanish Flu, Covid, and taken punches from Donna, Wilma, Irma, but Ian was a heavyweight.

“We actually had to take up all the original pine floors that actually were here in the house.. they are still in the house now. They’ve been restored, but they were buckled,” Telischak said.

Telischak told WINK News that crews dried, cleaned, and refinished each floorboard. On Tuesday members of the public joined members and staff in celebrating the reopening of the oldest house in Naples.

“I’ve been following the progress of the renovation online from home and down here,” Carol Berezin, a visitor from Massachusetts, said.

Berezin and Donald Nicholas are regulars when it comes to visiting Naples.

“It’s amazing, you know, we see the waterline where it came up and how well they’ve restored it. Everything is right back to the way it was. It’s really impressive,” Nicholas said.

“It’s walking back into the past, you know, and actually, it’s really fascinating to look at the pictures and read the descriptions underneath to see how the people lived,” Berezin said.

“It’s always been a significant part of seeing Naples grow from its beginnings as basically a small little hamlet, if you will, resort for the wealthy.. to a much larger obviously vibrant city that we have today,” Telischak said.

Not even a powerful Hurricane could dampen that feeling on Tuesday.

The Palm Cottage will be open to the public for free until Saturday.

They’re always looking for members or volunteers who have a passion for Naples history.

Click here to learn more about the historic home.