Keys History & Discovery Center...
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September 2016 
Message from the Executive Director
Florida Keys History & Discovery Center opened in January 2014 with a blank canvas of blue walls. Through a series of traveling exhibits and the sharing of personal collections, the Center began work on permanent exhibits, starting with Legends of the Line, a historical perspective on the beginnings of fishing in the Upper Keys and the resulting industry of tourism.
 
Fast-forward to August 2016, an aggressive development plan has resulted in additional permanent exhibits, including First People/Indians of the Keys, Pirates/Wreckers/Salvagers, and the Spanish Treasure Fleets, and a model replica of Indian Key, circa 1840. In addition a state-of-the-art 35-seat theater opened in May 2015. Coming this September is the most extensive of permanent exhibits yet featuring Stories of the Upper Keys, the history of the areas of Rock Harbor-Key Largo, Planter-Tavernier, and Matecumbe-Islamorada.
 
Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation, which operates the History & Discovery Center, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization formed in February 2013 by a group of residents who wanted to preserve and share the unique history of the community. The mission of the organization is "to develop and maintain a world-class history & discovery center that will accurately reflect the history of our Florida Keys community in a multi-faceted and interactive environment."
 
As with most not-for-profits, we rely on donations from individuals and businesses, annual memberships, and grants. As a young not-for-profit, we are still in the position of need for general operating costs, as well as projects such as additional permanent exhibits, cost of traveling exhibits, and scanning and cataloging artifacts, such as book manuscripts, newspapers and letters. 
 
We hope you will continue to help support the Foundation as the Keys History & Discovery Center continues to grow and expand. We are looking to building out the Jerry Wilkinson Research Library, named for the well-regarded local historian, design and develop additional permanent exhibits focused on the unique environment of the Keys, and expand program offerings for all ages. Donate today!  Visit our Website or call 
305-922-2237.

Best regards, 

Jill Miranda Baker
Executive Director
Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation
Coming in September! Sneak Peak of Stories of the Upper Keys

Curator and historian  Brad Bertelli has been working for several months to put together this comprehensive historical account of the beginnings of the Upper Keys. This extensive permanent exhibit explores the arrival of the Henry Flagler's Over-Sea Railway, the development of the Overseas Highway, and the rise of Upper Keys communities including Rock Harbor, Planter, Tavernier, and the Matecumbes. The exhibit will be highlighted by profiles of community members, historic landmarks, and the seminal event that forever altered the history of the Florida Keys, the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane. 

Thanks to the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, The Charles G. Wright Endowment for Humanity, and Flagler's Folly Society, a member organization of the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center, for their generous support in making this exhibit a reality. 

News of the installation will follow soon. 
Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation, which operates Keys History & Discovery Center, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Board of Directors is comprised of members of the community who serve voluntarily. 
The Discovery Center is open Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.