August 2018 
A Night at the Museum: Bootlegger Bash is Saturday, Nov. 10


The Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation is excited to announce plans for the second annual signature event,  A Night at the Museum: Bootlegger Bash ,  with presenting sponsors, Islamorada Distillery and Islamorada Beer Company. The event is Saturday, Nov. 10, 6 p.m., at Keys History & Discovery Center, located at the Islander Resort, MM 82.
 
For one night only, guests will find a secret speakeasy behind the Keys History & Discovery Center. The clandestine evening features live jazz, booze, and gaming - a roaring good time! Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception, a delicious surf-and-turf dinner and dessert, as well as an opportunity to bid on enticing trips, jewelry, personal indulgences, and much more in the live and silent auctions.
 
Numerous sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are available. The Signature Event Committee is seeking items for the live and silent auctions. For more information, contact Foundation Executive Director Jill Miranda Baker at 305-922-2237 or at info@keysdiscovery.com.
 
The signature fundraising event benefits the Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation, which operates the Keys History & Discovery Center, a world-class museum facility that preserves and shares the incredible history of our Upper Keys community and explores the unique ecology of the region. In addition to permanent exhibits on subjects such as Henry Flagler's Over-Sea Railway, Legends of the Line, and First People, the Discovery Center offers a successful lecture series, educating the general public through presentations from a variety of expert speakers. The museum's second floor features a state-of-the-art theater showing documentaries on topics like the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, traveling exhibits, and the Jerry Wilkinson Research Library.
Coral Reef Exploration Exhibit Closer to Reality  

Through a partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory and an ongoing capital campaign, the permanent exhibit named Coral Reef Exploration,  is closer to reality and expected to be installed in the fall. The comprehensive exhibit will feature three aquariums, educational storyboards, interactive kiosks and video monitors focused on providing both a beautiful and educational view of our unique coral reef ecosystem and the challenges it faces. 

The largest of the aquariums, named in memory of Harold & Bettie Bartlett who loved the waters of the Florida Keys, is 1,250 gallons. It will showcase species that make their home on and around the Florida Keys coral reefs, including corals, fish and invertebrates. A 280-gallon aquarium featuring live coral is named for the Charles G. Wright Endowment for Humanity. A second 280-gallon aquarium housing invasive lionfish is named in honor of Juanita Russell Knudsen. 

In addition to the donations noted above, this $250,000 project is funded in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and through in-kind contributions from Mote, including annual maintenance and upkeep once installed. To reach our goal, an additional $43,400 is needed. Giving levels,  to be recognized within the exhibit area, include:

$20,000-$24,999 = Shark
$15,000-$19,999 = Grouper
$10,000-$14,999 = Grunts
$5,000-$9,999 = Wrasse
$1,000-$4,999 = Damsel
 
Your gift will help us to educate locals and visitors for generations to come. For more information, contact Foundation Executive Director Jill Miranda Baker at 305-922-2237 or via info@keysdiscovery.com.
Traveling Exhibit Now On Display...Treasures of NOAA's Ark

The history of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. are intertwined. NOAA's roots date back to 1807 when Thomas Jefferson established the nation's first scientific agency, the Survey of the Coast. Since, NOAA has evolved and emerged as an international leader on scientific and environmental matters. 

Treasures of NOAA's Ark traveling exhibit showcases an array of heritage artifacts which tell the story of how the people, technology and resources shaped NOAA and its predecessor agencies. Exhibit highlights include viewing instruments used by the Office of Coast Survey to chart and navigate, learning about NOAA Commissioned Officers Corps, paying tribute to our wartime heroes with Weathermen at War, and enjoying art and science together with cartoon strip Sherman's Lagoon.

Exhibit is on display now through February 2019. 
Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation, which operates Keys History & Discovery Center, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. As such, donations to the Foundation help support the annual fund, as well as specific projects.  For more information about making a contribution, Visit our website or call 305-922-2237.  Keys History & Discovery Center is open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.