Events Calendar

In local communities across Florida, humanities-rich programming is making a lasting impact in the hearts and minds of Sunshine State residents and visitors alike. Florida Humanities is proud to partner with local community champions to bring you high-quality public programming through Community Project Grants, Florida Talks, Museum on Main Street, and more.

Alert: Some events may be canceled or postponed. We work to ensure that our events calendar remains accurate. We strongly urge you to call the event contact for any program you are interested in to confirm that the event is still planned.

Loading Events

« All Events

  • This event has passed.

EXHIBITION: Bahama Village: Relics of a Fading Community

January 13, 2023 @ 10:00 am - May 21, 2023 @ 5:00 pm

Bahama Village: Relics of a Fading Community

Key West Art & Historical Society will debut a new exhibition on January 13, 2023, that will explore the history and culture of the often-overlooked segment of the community – former and current residents of Bahama Village. In this exhibition, history and stories will be woven together through various events that shaped the Black and Indigenous cultures of Key West.

In the early 1800s and 1900s, the Black and Indigenous community of Key West was skilled and hardworking. Many early settlers migrated to the island from St. Augustine, the Bahamas, and Cuba, and with them they brought their skills, education, and culture. These settlers were great contributors to the island’s development. This included African slaves that brought by slaveholders to assist in the expansion of the island. Free Blacks relocating to Key West were some of the first to become educated in America. They believed strongly in education which began at home and in church basements, until the establishment of the segregated Frederick Douglass School in 1870. The island’s Black community developed around, and enmeshed in, an area that we now refer to as Bahama Village.

Never-before-on-view objects include a football helmet and shoulder pads from Frederick Douglass School, musical instruments from the estate of William McKinzie, a nineteenth century Sanchez family bible and a suit once belonging to illustrious local musician Coffee Butler. These items, along with several others, will tell the inspiring history, culture, and contributions of the Black residents.

This exhibition and related programming are funded in part through a Florida Humanities Community Project Grant in partnership with the Key West Art & Historical Society.

Plan a Visit:

The Key West Museum of Art and History is open Monday through Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Please visit the Museum’s webpage for current admission prices. Children seven years and younger are free.

Event Details

Event Date/time:

January 13, 2023 @ 10:00 am -
May 21, 2023 @ 5:00 pm

Other

Presenter Information:
Dr. Cori Convertito; Curator & Historian; Key West Art & Historical Society
Event Fee:
Free
Event Type:
In-person

Event Contact:

Cori Convertito
Phone:
(305) 295-6616

Event Venue:

Key West Museum of Art & History
281 Front St, Naval Air Station
Key West, Florida 33040
+ Google Map
Venue Phone:
(305) 295-6616

has been added to the cart. View Cart
Florida Humanities /* */