Gilbert’s Bar Coast Guard Station was decommissioned in April 1945 and abandoned to the elements.  It remained empty until 1953, when the Martin County Board of Commissioners purchased the building, along with 16.8 acres of surplus government land, for $168. 

In 1955, the newly formed Soroptimist Club of Stuart organized the Martin County Historical Society (now the Historical Society of Martin County) to restore and preserve the building for use as a museum.  The Historical Society of Martin County provides curator and management services for this site today, and also owns and operates the nearby Elliott Museum.