July 2019 
New Exhibit Explores Community of Planter; Original Manuscript to be Published 

Jack and K Wilkinson in front of their makeshift tent home.
A look back to the late 1930s in an area of Key Largo once known as Planter is the topic of  It Had To Be You , a new exhibit now on display at the Keys History & Discovery Center at MM 82 on the property of the Islander Resort in Islamorada.
 
The exhibit is based on the late K Wilkinson's book "It Had To Be You," first published in 1996. It documents some of her fondest memories of those simple years living by the water's edge with her husband Jack. They moved in the late 1930s, squatting along the Atlantic coast at Mile Marker 92.5 (in the general area of the present-day Harry Harris Park). Jack and K called a make-shift tent their home and lived largely off what the ocean could provide, which included furniture that would occasionally wash up.
 
"What was so inspiring about all the memories recorded in the book," said Brad Bertelli, Discovery Center curator who curated the exhibit, "was the simple delight found in everyday life shared by not just the Wilkinsons, but the family and friends, like the Allens and McKinneys, who came to visit, feasted on conch and turtle, and indulged in drink."
 
The stories within the exhibit have been excerpted from her book. The Joe and Lindy Roth Foundation donated the original manuscript to the Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation, which operates the Discovery Center, in the hopes the Foundation could reprint the book. The book is in the publication phase and will soon be available for purchase. As was the wish of K and her family, a donation from the  sale of each book goes to the American Cancer Society.
 
A reprinting of the book in 2012 was spearheaded by the Historical Preservation Society of the Upper Keys (HPSUK), an organization for which K Wilkinson once served as president. A special thanks goes to Loralea Carrera, HPSUK vice president, who provided Bertelli with a selection of photographs to include in the upcoming reprinting.
 
It Had To Be You will be on exhibit through late October. The Discovery Center is open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Walking Tour Focuses on Indian Key    

Curator Brad Bertelli touring Indian Key.
Indian Key was in the early-1800s home to a restaurant, saloon, the Tropical Hotel, a nine-pin bowling alley, and all the shops, wharves, and warehouses needed to accommodate a thriving wrecking village. It is coming to life again, this time virtually, via a narrated walking tour with accompanying historic images. Walk Indian Key is available through a free app, Florida Stories, at FLStories.org, the Google Play Store or iStore.
 
Residents and visitors can now learn more about this storied 11-acre island, an island that was briefly named a county seat of the newly formed Dade County. The narrated tour, with 12 stops on the island, delves into the rise and fall of the community, the 1840 attack by Indians during the Seminole War, and its most notorious resident, John Jacob Housman.
 
"Even if you think you know the island's tremendous history, odds are that while listening to Walk Indian Key, you will hear a story or two you have never heard," said Brad Bertelli, Foundation curator, who selected the historic stops, wrote the narrative and compiled the accompanying photos.
 
Walk Indian Key is a unique Upper Keys experience developed by Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation (FKHDF) in partnership with and funding provided by the Florida Humanities Council and the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and with support from the Florida State Parks.
 
The island is accessible via kayak or small watercraft. The tour features 12 stops, starting at the Park Pavilion and takes listeners through the town square, home ruins, Housman's gravesite as well as the observation town, post office ruins and a final stop with a view of Alligator Reef Lighthouse.
 
"If you can't get out to the island, listen to the app then head to Keys History & Discovery Center on the property of the Islander Resort, where you will see a model of Indian Key circa 1840," Bertelli said.

This is the second walking tour created by the Foundation with FHC. Walk Historic Islamorada was launched one year ago and is one of the top downloaded walks of the more than 30 walking tour locations available on the app. Other walks including St. Augustine, Tampa's Ybor City, Tallahassee, Downtown Miami, and Key West.
Tourism Celebrated During Postcard-perfect Keys Evening

Foundation Board Member Kate DeLoach, County Commissioner Michelle Coldiron and Membership & Events Manager Erin Muir.
Thank you to the sponsors and attendees who took part in Florida Keys or Bust: A Celebration of Tourism on Thursday, May 16 at the Islander Resort Conference Center. 

A postcard-perfect Keys evening allowed guests to enjoy classic games on the lawn, delicious food, fun
Stewart and Katie Allmond
libations and pop-up shopping courtesy of Cheeca Lodge & Spa Signature Store and Theater of the Sea. 

An engaging lecture on the history of tourism was presented by Cori Convertito, curator with the Key West Art & Historical Society, and several guests went home as winners of raffle baskets. 

Funds raised through the event benefited the Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation, a not-for-profit organization which supports the Keys History & Discovery Center.
Recognition of Excellence From TripAdvisor

Thank you to our visitors and guests for rating consistently with four and five stars their visit to Keys History & Discovery Center.

According to TripAdvisor, "The Certificate of Excellence accounts for the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months."
Adjustments to Annual Membership Program

As the Coral Reef Exploration exhibit has brought more and more younger visitors through our doors, we've made some minor modifications to our membership plans to make sure we have family-friendly options. The Family Membership now includes two adult annual admission cards and up to three student annual admission cards and it remains $150 a year. We now also offer a standalone Student Membership at $25 a year. Student memberships are available for elementary through high school students; children under six years of age receive free admission to the History & Discovery Center. The single-day student admission rate is $6. Annual Membership Program information can be found at  Join Today!
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.