The Barbara Sumwalt Museum building was originally built as a Useppa cottage. Through the vision of Barbara Sumwalt and from the generous donations made by Useppa Island Club and the Useppa Island Historical Society's members, the building was moved, reconstructed and opened to the public in 1994.

The Museum is supported by the entry donation of $5 per person (children under18 are admitted free) and the donations from its members. The hours are generally between 12:15 to 2:00 daily, with extended hours during the winter months. Visitors to the museum are provided with an audio tour as they explore the history of Useppa, which began over 10,000 years ago and continues to present day life on this small but very significant island.

Useppa is a private island and arrangements must be made in advance through Useppa Island Club at (239) 283-1061 to visit the Museum. Departing South Seas Plantation on Captiva Island, Captiva Cruises has a delightful cruise to Useppa, which includes time for lunch and a museum visit. Captiva Cruises number is (239) 472-5300.

Group visits are always welcome but they must be arranged in advance and will be scheduled when the museum is not open to the general public. The Museum's direct telephone number is 239-283-9600.

The Useppa Island Historical Society, a private, non-profit organization, maintains the Museum. The Executive Director is Rona Stage. Consultant to the Historical Society is Dr. William Marquardt, Curator of Archeology at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, Florida and Director of the Randell Research Center in Pineland, Florida. The Museum is also a Research Station for the Florida Museum of Natural History.