Check out the latest news from the Keys History & Discovery Center. 
Read below for what's new!   You don't want to miss out! 
Summer 2016 
New Exhibit: Indian Key Model Becomes Permanent
Ken and Dee Meeks were honored for their generosity in making the Indian Key exhibit a reality. They are pictured with Executive Director Jill Miranda Baker, Curator/Historian Brad Bertelli, Board Member Emeritus and Historian Jerry Wilkinson and Board President Rich Russell.

Though once the largest community in the Florida Keys outside of Key West, walking past the few ruins left on Indian Key paints a poor picture of what was once a thriving village. Now, visitors to the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center can see a permanent model of the island showing how it might have looked circa 1840.
 
"This exhibit provides our community and visitors a better appreciation for the complexity of life on Indian Key," said Curator Brad Bertelli, who spent months working with a designer, model maker and other trade professionals. "In addition to the model, artifacts discovered on the island as well as first-hand descriptions and summarized accounts of life on Indian Key, both prior to the Seminole attack of 1840 and after, are presented." The artifacts are on loan from the Florida Division of Historical Resources.
 
"If not for the generosity of Ken and Dee Meeks, long-time Islamorada residents, this model would not be part of today's reality," said Executive Director Jill Miranda Baker. "We are tremendously grateful to Ken and Dee for knowing the importance of preserving and sharing the unique history of this island, and providing the financial support to bring this to fruition."
 
The Meeks' were honored at an unveiling event in May, prior to opening to the general public. Supporters and friends of the Discovery Center were on hand to celebrate. 
Curator's Corner
Curator and Historian Brad Bertelli
Coming to the Discovery Center in September, the Story of the Upper Keys, a permanent exhibit exploring 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 Matecumbe. 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.
Flagler's Folly Society Raises $7,500 for Upper Keys' Story

Joanne Jones enjoys the evening with Palm Beach Princess Sponsor Laura Lynne Kennedy of Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Company.

The Flagler's Folly Society, a member organization of the Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation, brought in $7,500 during the recent fundraiser,  Lilly Pulitzer: How the Florida Keys Inspired an Icon , held at the Keys History & Discovery Center. The funds will go toward the creation of a new permanent exhibit called
Story of the Upper Keys (See Curator's Corner above). 
 
During the event, a pop-up shop provided by Lilly Pulitzer at Ocean Reef Club provided guests great shopping, and a brief history of the fashion icon was given by Cori Convertito, the curator at the Key West Arts & Historical Society. A silent auction also was part of the evening's festivities at which nearly 100 people were in attendance.
 
The Flagler's Folly Society, led by co-chairs Erin Muir, Emily Carter and Liz Huddleston, was formed one year ago to promote the mission of the Foundation to preserve and share the history of the Upper Keys. The membership is geared toward young professionals and those interested in a part philanthropic/part social member organization. Annual membership is $250 and includes unlimited admission to the Discovery Center, free lectures, preview events, and quarterly Hungry for History socials. Become a Member!
Celebrating National Park Service 100 Years with Clyde Butcher 

Renowned photographer and environmentalist Clyde Butcher's work is on display with an exhibit titled Celebrating the National Park Service Centennial: A Photography Exhibit by Clyde Butcher. The exhibit is at the Keys History & Discovery Center through August 28, 2016.
 
Butcher is best known for his evocative black and white photographs of Florida wetlands and the Everglades. This exhibit, 50 years in the making, shares his love of the national parks as well as stories of he and wife Niki's travels around the country while photographing the wilderness areas so unique to America.
 
This exhibit showcases Butcher's stunning black and white photographs of parks ranging from the swamps in the Everglades to the mountains of Montana. Books, notecards and a calendar featuring Butcher's work, including the latest release about the National Park Service, are available for sale at the Discovery Center. The exhibit is made possible through the generous support of The Everglades Trust.
Keys History & Discovery Center Presents...

The final presentation of the "season" is Wednesday, June 22,  Long Key: Flagler's Island Getaway for the Rich and Famous.

For two and a half decades the Long Key Fishing Camp was known throughout the world and cherished by a loyal clientele that included prominent inventors, businessmen, nobility, poets, politicians and writers. Then it was destroyed by the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and faded into obscurity.
 
Join Thomas Neil Knowles, author of Long Key, Flagler's Island Getaway for the Rich and Famous, as he talks about the saga of Henry Flagler's most unique resort and the famous fishing club it spawned. A Key West native whose ancestors came over from the Bahamas in the 1830s, he will discuss the findings of his research, including never-before-published information and photographs he obtained from the caretaker's daughter, and the precise location of the camp in relation to current development. A book-signing will follow the presentation.
 
Doors to the Discovery Center open at 5 p.m., to allow guests to see current exhibits. Presentations begin at 6 p.m. Members of the Discovery Center are free. Cost for non-members is $25, which includes admission and light appetizers. A cash bar in available. Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made via e-mail at info@keysdiscovery.com or by calling 305-922-2237.
Curator and Historian Brad Bertelli giving a walking tour on Indian Key.
In the News

Getting our message and mission out to the community, Florida Keys, Florida and beyond, has been a top priority. Check out the link below to read the story from WLRN Radio. To keep up with the latest news, and get a daily history lesson, like us on Facebook -- Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation.

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.
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