Key West Art & Historical Society Excursion to Dry Tortugas National Park Celebrates US National Park System 100th Anniversary
On Saturday, November 7, in celebration of the US National Park System’s 100th anniversary, Key West Art & Historical Society members and friends can savor a day of nature’s wonders and epic history at Fort Jefferson – the 19th century red brick fortress located on Garden Key, 68 miles west of Key West, Florida, in the Dry Tortugas National Park.
Traveling by the high-speed catamaran Yankee Freedom III, excursionists will enjoy Park Ranger Tree Gottshall’s discussion of the Park’s noteworthy history, as well as breakfast, lunch, snorkeling equipment rental, and a fully narrated 45 minute tour of the fort.
Originally designated a wildlife refuge in 1908, the 100-mile area of the Dry Tortugas National Park is mostly open water with seven small islands accessible only by boat or seaplane. An essential on the Great Florida Birding Trail, and with an official bird list of nearly 300 species, The Dry Tortugas islets are a spectacular bird watching site for hundreds of thousands of birders. Fort Jefferson itself is constructed of millions of bricks and is noted as the Western Hemisphere’s largest masonry structure.
The price for Key West Art & Historical Society members is $99 plus a $5 National Park entry fee. Members call 305-294-7009 and identify yourself as a member. Payment will be taken at time of reservation. Members must show a valid membership card when checking-in their party on the 7th or the discounted fare will not apply. Yankee Freedom will donate 10% of the day’s fares to The Society. Non-members can book tickets online at drytortugas.com or call 305-294-7009.
For more information on this KWAHS “Islands of History” adventure or to become a member, call Membership & Programs Director Gerri Sidoti at 305.295.6616 x 106 or visit KWAHS.ORG.
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