Key West The Newspaper

On Wednesday, June 7, from 10-11am, Cori Convertito, Ph.D., will offer a special Curator-led tour of the newly renovated Key West Art & Historical Society Custom House Museum exhibit “Overseas to the Keys – Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railway.” The tour is free, but museum admission rates apply (KWAHS members enjoy free museum admission). Reservations are required, limited to first 15 registrants.

The permanent exhibit celebrates an important part of Florida Keys history and the incredible engineering feat that joined mainland Florida to Key West, an overseas train they said couldn’t be done. Convertito will guide guests through a detailed look at some of the historic and unique treasures currently occupying the permanent exhibit located on the second floor and the reasons they were selected for the exhibition.

Topics include the original railroad car that debuted in the 2012 exhibit that transports visitors back to the early 1900s when Key West first connected to mainland Florida; Flagler’s development of Florida’s east coast and how his railway leapfrogged across the Florida Keys all the way to Key West; an oversized map of the Florida Keys; home video shot from the railroad in the 1920s; and newly acquired objects and ephemera from The Society’s permanent collection. Society Curator Converito hopes these renovations will “provide a more comprehensive experience for visitors” and help them “wholly appreciate the engineering feat involved in constructing the Overseas Railway.”

“Overseas to the Keys – Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railway” is a permanent exhibit and is generously supported by the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust, Thomas Kenan, the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, and Lamont Harris. For reservations visit www.kwahs.org/education/curator-tours. For additional information, contact Cori Convertito at 305.295.6616 x112. Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island.