Key West Art & Historical Society seeks Florida Keys individuals of Bahamian ancestry to share information and items for upcoming exhibit

Key West Art & Historical Society is seeking Florida Keys individuals of Bahamian ancestry to be involved in an upcoming exhibit that explores the influence of the Bahamian culture on the Florida Keys. “The Key West/Bahamas Connection” will reveal both the historical and contemporary connections between the two locations, demonstrating how much of Key West’s culture and community is deeply rooted in its Bahamian heritage. Keys residents who have stories, their family trees, objects, photographs, and other such items should contact KWAHS Curator Cori Convertito, Ph.D. at 305-295-6616 x112.

Though Florida Keys settlers came from a variety of places, including Cuba, New England, the mid-Atlantic and Europe, perhaps the most influential of the initial settlers were the Bahamians.  After John Simonton purchased the island of Key West in 1822, Bahamians moved to the Florida Keys in large numbers. Families settled along the length of the island chain, driven by the poor economic situation in the Bahamas, and the ability to start afresh in an area that provided a number of opportunities— salvaging wrecked ships, fishing, and logging tropical hardwoods.

“The result was that Key West effectively became an extension of the Bahamas; the food, the architecture, the industries, the music, and the families all were closely aligned with their former lives,” says Convertito.

“Our island is routinely affiliated with our Cuban influence, but, in fact, the Bahamians inhabited the Keys much earlier and most definitely shaped our resulting history,” she continues.  “By focusing an exhibition on the connection between both locations, we can honor our rich heritage and celebrate what makes Key West special.”

“The Key West/Bahamas Connection” will open with a special reception on January 18 from 6:00pm-7:30pm in the Bryan Gallery at the Custom House Museum and will run through April 7.  For more information call Cori Convertito, Ph.D., at 305-295-6616 x112, email her at [email protected], or visit kwahs.org. Your Museums.  Your Community.  It Takes an Island. 

Photo Caption:

Side-by-side images of Key West Bight (left) and Hope Town, Bahamas (right) from the 1880s reveal the unmistakable connection between each location.  Images courtesy of Monroe County Public Libraries.

 

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]