arts Directory: museums, history & nature



FLORIDA KEYS ECO-DISCOVERY CENTER
809-4750 · Email: FKEDC@noaa.gov
35 East Quay Road · Key West, FL 33070

Enter the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center and take a journey into the world of the native plants and animals of the Keys, both on land and underwater. The Center features over 6,000 square feet of interactive and dynamic exhibits including a mock-up of Aquarius, the world's only underwater ocean laboratory. Tuesday - Saturday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas) Admission is free!
FRIENDS OF FORT TAYLOR
293-3678 · Fax: 292-6881 · Email: info@forttaylor.org
P.O.Box 58 · Key West, FL 33041

Civil War Days, February 26-28, 2010. Located at Fort Taylor Historic State Park, Key West,FL.
HARRY S. TRUMAN LITTLE WHITE HOUSE MUSEUM
305-292-9911 · Fax: 305-294-9988 · Email: bwolz@trumanlittlewhitehouse.com
111 Front St. inside the Truman Annex · Key West, FL 33040

Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors & $5 for children. Tours every 15 minutes from 9 until 4:30. Free exhibit rooms. The American Winter White House used by Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Carter has guided tours, changing exhibits and a museum shop. Truman Legacy Symposium held annually; for more information visit www.Trumansymposium.com.
HERITAGE HOUSE MUSEUM AND ROBERT FROST COTTAGE
296-3573 · Email: heritagehouse@aol.com
410 Caroline St. · Key West, FL 33040

Open Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: guided tour is $9; self-guided is $6; children 12-16 are $3; children under 12 are free. Ongoing exhibit: WPA in Key West, Revisiting the Depression Era. Experience true island hospitality during a visit to this 19th century sea captain's colonial house, containing original furnishings, rare antiques and unusual seafaring artifacts. Facilities are available for special events. For more information visit www.heritagehousemuseum.org
HISTORIC FLORIDA KEYS FOUNDATION
292-6718 · Email: hfkf@bellsouth.net
510 Greene St. · Key West, FL 33040

The only county-wide non-profit historic preservation organization.
HISTORICAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF THE UPPER KEYS
Jerry Wilkinson 852-1620 · Email: jerry142@terranova.net
Tradewinds Shopping Plaza - MM 101.4 · Key Largo, FL

Meets at the Key Largo Library Community Room at 7pm on the second Monday of each month. Most programs are of a historical nature.
HISTORY OF DIVING MUSEUM
305-664-9737 · Email: info@divingmuseum.org
82990 Overseas Hwy - MM 83 · Islamorada, FL 33036

Open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Adults $12.00, children 5-12 $6.00 (children under 5 free). The History of Diving Museum is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational institution focused on the Story of Man's Quest to Explore Under the Sea. The museum offers over 3,000 square feet of exhibits featuring historic and rare diving artifacts as well as hands-on exhibits, videos, and fun photo opportunities. Immerse yourself in the history and evolution of diving. Don't forget to visit the Museum Store for great diving-related gifts!
KEY WEST ART & HISTORICAL SOCIETY
305-295-6616 · Fax: 305-295-6649 · Email: cpennington@kwahs.org
281 Front Street · Key West, FL 33040

Membership open to general public. Meets year-round; meetings announced in quarterly newsletter for the special events being offered. Activities include Key West Museum of Art & History, self-guided tours of East Martello Fort and Museum, Key West Lighthouse, various receptions and exhibitions of an art, cultural and historical nature.
KEY WEST BUTTERFLY & NATURE CONSERVATORY
305-296-2988 · Email: info@keywestbutterfly.com
1316 Duval Street · Key West, FL 33040

Take a stroll through a tropical paradise... walk through an exotic and inviting environment filled with hundreds of the most beautiful winged creatures in nature -- butterflies.
KEY WEST FIREHOUSE MUSEUM
305-292-8179
Corner of Grinnell & Virginia · Key West, FL 33040

Progressing and soon to come -- A museum honoring the history of firefighting in Key West. Restoration of the 2-story brick Fire Station #3 originally built in 1907 is underway. Call 292-8179 and ask for Alex Vega for information and how you can help!
KEY WEST GARDEN CLUB
305-294-3210
1100 Atlantic Blvd · Key West, FL 33040

Floral Tapestry flower show in March, permanent exhibition at W. Martello Tower
KEY WEST HOLIDAY HISTORIC INN TOUR
305-295-1334 · Fax: 305-295-1285 · Email: president@keywestinns.com
316A Simonton Street · Key West, FL 33040

The holiday season is one of the most enchanting and beautiful times to visit Key West, and the annual Historic Lighted Inn Tour captures the essence of our tropical island.
KEY WEST HOUSE & GARDEN TOURS
305-294-9501 · Fax: 305-294-4509 · Email: oldisland@bellsouth.net
P.O. Box 689 · Key West, FL 33041

December through March, visitors will be enchanted by exquisite restorations and creative renovations surrounded by lush tropical gardens and delightful interiors featuring art collections, antiques, and much more.
KEY WEST LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM & KEEPERS QUARTERS
305-295-6616
938 Whitehead St. · Key West, FL 33040

Open daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Closed Christmas Day Admission: $10 adults, $5 children (children under 6 Free) and students with ID, $9 Seniors (62+), AAA Travelers and Locals with ID Climb the 88 steps of the old Key West Lighthouse for one of the best views of Key West and surrounding waters. See the lenses and technology that made the lighthouse function and explore a faithful recreation of the lighthouse keeper's residence.
KEY WEST MARITIME HISTORICAL SOCIETY
305-292-7903 · Email: info@keywestmaritime.org
P.O. Box 695 · Key West, FL 33041

A Society for the study, appreciation, and preservation of the maritime heritage of the Florida Keys. Lectures, field trips, exhibits, publications and special events. Award-winning FLORIDA KEYS SEA HERITAGE JOURNAL published quarterly.
KEY WEST MUSEUM OF ART & HISTORY AT THE CUSTOM HOUSE
295-6616 · Email: cpennington@kwahs.org
281 Front St. at the corner of Greene St. · Key West, FL 33040

Galleries feature several changing art history exhibitions of local, national, and international scope. "Remember the Maine," is an ongoing exhibit devoted to the famous battleship and the Spanish-American War. The imposing red brick and terra-cotta building is a tour in itself. Daily 9-5 p.m. Adults $8, students $4, children under 6 free.
KEY WEST TROPICAL FOREST AND BOTANICAL GARDENS
305-296-1504 · Email: kwbgs@kwbgs.org
5210 College Road · Key West, FL 33040

Open daily 10-4. $5.00 donation requested. Mailing address is P.O. Box 2436, Key West, FL 33045-2436 The last undeveloped native hardwood hammock in the environs of Key West. 5 self guided tours wind through more than 11 acres of native plants and habitat that includes a number of champion trees. Shady tranquil beauty perfect for families and nature lovers to enjoy.
LOFTON SANDS AFRICAN BAHAMIAN MUSEUM & RESOURCE CENTER
305-295-7337
324 Truman Ave. · Key West, FL 33040

Open Mondays 1-5 p.m. & Wednesdays 10 a.m.-12 noon, or by appointment. A vehicle for preserving and educating the public about the history and cultural contributions of the African Bahamian Community. Features traveling exhibits and a collection of docuemtns and artifacts, a research archive and special programs.
MARATHON GARDEN CLUB
743-4971
5270 Overseas Highway - MM 50 · Marathon, Florida 33050

A not-for-profit educational organization in the heart of the Florida Keys offering annual House & Garden Tours, floral design workshops, plant sales & a variety of festivals. Meets the 3rd Friday (Oct-May), free and open to the public.
MATECUMBE HISTORICAL TRUST
Irving Eyster 305-664-9504
· Islamorada, FL

Board meetings monthly, call for dates & times; Quarterly meeting with lectures and slide shows, call for dates and locations.
MEL FISHER MARITIME HERITAGE SOCIETY & MUSEUM
305-294-2633 · Fax: 305-294-5671 · Email: mkendrick@melfisher.org
200 Greene St. · Key West, FL 33040

Open 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. Adults $11.00, students $9.50, children 12 & under $6.00, children 5 & younger free. Special rates for groups of 20 or more- call 294-2633 x 13. The 1910 building houses a permanent collection that includes treasure from the 1622 wreck of the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha. The treasure includes gold and silver bars, coins, and chains, as well as centuries-old cannons and ships' tools. Discover the thrill of treasure-hunting by learning the story of Mel Fisher's quest for the Atocha, while discovering the intricacies of maritime history and the tragedies of shipwrecks.
MUSEUMS AND NATURE CENTER OF CRANE POINT HAMMOCK
305-743-9100 · Email: info@cranepoint.net
5550 Overseas Highway · Marathon, FL 33050

This unique 63-acre site is home to the Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum, Adderley Town Historic Site, Marathon Wild Bird Center and an extensive nature trail system that leads through a dense tropical forest to a spectacular view of Florida Bay. Open Mon-Sat, 9-5 and Sun, 12-5. Adults $7.50, seniors(65 up)$6, students $4, children(under 6)free.
NANCY FORRESTER'S SECRET GARDEN & GALLERY
305-294-0015 · Email: nancy@nancyforrester.com
One Free School Lane · Key West, Florida 33040

Amidst a beautiful visionary environment by Eco-artist Nancy is a gallery of her photography, tiles, and works by guest artists. One Free School Lane (off 500 block of Simonton St. between Southard & Fleming). Daily 10- 5.
PELICAN POOP SHOPPE
305-292-9955
314 Simonton St. · Key West, FL 33040

Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Garden tours $2. In 1928, this building became Ernest Hemingway's first Key West residence where he would write "A Farewell to Arms" and fall in love with the island. Tour Key West's most exotic atrium garden and absorb the history hidden inside the island's most unusual home. Mary Ann Oosterhoudt,Owner Tom Oosterhoudt, Manager
PIGEON KEY HISTORIC DISTRICT & GIFT SHOP
743-5999 · Fax: 289-1065 · Email: pigeonkey@aol.com
P.O. Box 500130 · Marathon, FL 33050

Guided tours available. Transportation provided by ferry service daily at 10:00, 11:30, 1:00 and 2:30. Admission and transportation is $11 per person. Also Pigeon Key Marine Science Center offering amrine based environmental education.
WRECKERS MUSEUM
294-9502 · Email: OldIsland@bellsouth.net
322 Duval St. · Key West, FL 33040

Open daily 10-4. Adults-$5, Children under 12-$1. This museum offers a peek into the life of a wrecking family. Memorabilia and documents from the salvage trade plus marine artwork by a variety of artists.